Gelcoat Versus Awlgrip versus Easypoxy - showdown.

[Islandtrader]

I know of many people that store their boats outdoors and after 10 years their Awlrgip job still looks great.

strick

My last boat which was a 30' Alura had Imron and after 10 years in the FL. sun still looked good.

[thegoggleeye]

My last boat which was a 30' Alura had Imron and after 10 years in the FL. sun still looked good.

all true, my results are not typical. i have one boat with 8 y/o awlgrip that still looks great, 6 years is the rule of thumb the paint shops around here use. also we have to repaint the charter boats every 3-5 years but that's definitely a wear and tear problem./ nevertheless awlgrip is the product i recomend.

[KenB]

OK, how much better is the two part (awlgrip) versus the one part (petit)? 5 foot finish? 20 foot finish? How far away do you have to be to see the difference.

I was told that using the high build primer, faring, and roll and tip would lead to a coat that was indistinguishable from awlgrip. What is the real difference?

Spraying seems to be a better approach than roll and tip, but how much does this cost if you do it on your own? Can I use the harbor freight stuff? Rent a high pressure tank/compressor?

[Islandtrader]

I will answer one part of the question.

Anytime you have a chemical reaction doing the drying you will have a harder longer lasting product. Plus you have control over dry time in various applications, etc. heat, cold, humidity.

Awl grip and etc. 2 part product.

Petit one part relies on air temp. for its drying.

JMO

[KenB]

can i shoot awlgrip or signature with this harbor freight gun?

20 Oz. High Volume Low Pressure Gravity Feed Spray Gun# 47016

[strick]

I have used that exact same gun to shoot Awlgrip with good results. Results will depend on several things. Proper mixing and thinning of spray material, proper substrate preparation, Proper Air pressure at the spray gun, in line water separator, and finally spray technique.

strick

[Billybob]

Ken - I used the Easypoxy on my interior and it looks great, but it is not nearly as durable as a 2 part.
I went with it becasue I was concerned about the 2 part fumes, spraying it at home.
I think an hvlp gun will be fine as long as it is decent quality.
Make sure you use a good respirator, those 2 parts aren't good to breathe.

[wavelength]

My take on this...2 part paint. If you are doing a whole boat such as my project skip the roll and tip. Spray it or have it sprayed, you will be much happier with the results.

I agree, I've done two boats this year for my TowBoat business. You could find a local boat or body shop that needs the work, have them spray it and you do the prep work. The Ski Barge I just did I supplied the primer, they had some left over Awlgrip charged me 250.00. I sanded, taped, wiped down etc. the painter walked in sprayed we waited 15 minutes and pulled the tape. I did the same thing for the hull except I provided the red paint and they sprayed the hull and charged me 60.00.

[Capt Chuck]

can i shoot awlgrip or signature with this harbor freight gun? 20 Oz. High Volume Low Pressure Gravity Feed Spray Gun# 47016

I have never sprayed Signature Finish although I have worked with it over 20 years using the roll & tip method. For spraying application, you must use a special thinner not the usual Flow Fluid. Call Tom @ Signature for details should you choose his paint

[LadyLuck]

i used AlexSeal...i am very pleased with how it came out...alittle more expensive but i have read that it is an improvement on awlgrip...i stayed away from gelcoat...
alexseal has a 3 part mixture...paint, converter and reducer...i used their primer as well...i used a harbor freight gun...just be sure to clean it good after each use...i think i used 2 during the entire process...at their price was not a big deal to replace one...