Click for Walker Click for Northern Lights Click for Ocean Alexander Click for Abeking Click for Westport

Topside touch up of unknown paint

Discussion in 'Technical Discussion' started by incoming, Aug 10, 2025.

You need to be registered and signed in to view this content.
  1. incoming, Aug 10, 2025
    #1
    incoming

    incoming Active Member

    Joined:
    Jan 14, 2021
    Messages:
    211
    Location:
    Cocoa Beach, FL
    My boat was painted at some point by a previous owner. It seems like pretty standard white. There are various nicks and chips where the original, slightly more beige tinted gelcote is showing through, and some scratches that go down to fiberglass.

    I realize it’s not going to be possible to achieve perfection but I’d like to do what I can to touch up some of these spots.

    Based on my research so far I’m leaning towards petit ez poxy as my topcoat and ez primer underneath, and their ez fairing compound for the scratches that have some depth. All of this will run me about $200.

    Does anyone have experience with these products? Is this combo likely to yield reasonably good results given it’s a 25 year old boat with a not great paint job in the first place.
  2. Capt Ralph, Aug 10, 2025
    #2
    Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

    Joined:
    Sep 8, 2004
    Messages:
    13,982
    Location:
    Satsuma, FL
    Good stuff.
    I rolled/tipp'd one hull and shot another.
    Super simple.
    It is a tough paint that I will use again but it is not as tough as the 2-part paints.

    The last time I used EZ-Poxy, I wet sanded the previous coat, extra thinner and light shot;;; deep mirror finish.

    But the bottom line for any good paint job is the prep and primer.
    Last edited: Aug 10, 2025
  3. Capt J, Aug 10, 2025
    #3
    Capt J

    Capt J Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jul 11, 2005
    Messages:
    14,689
    Location:
    Fort Lauderdale
    I would use Alexseal they have a special reducer for rolling/tipping and it usually comes out great for a novice. Trick is thinning the paint enough, and prep. If a Pro is doing it, I prefer Awlcraft or Awlgrip products.
  4. incoming, Aug 10, 2025
    #4
    incoming

    incoming Active Member

    Joined:
    Jan 14, 2021
    Messages:
    211
    Location:
    Cocoa Beach, FL
    If I go with the Alexseal topcoat do I need to use their primer as well? Does the fairing compound formulation matter relative to the top coat and/or primer?

    I was planning to apply with a brush. I don’t think any spots are large enough for a roller, certainly not a full size roller.
  5. Capt J, Aug 10, 2025
    #5
    Capt J

    Capt J Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jul 11, 2005
    Messages:
    14,689
    Location:
    Fort Lauderdale
    You should. Why don't you ask the previous owner WHAT paint is on your boat and use the same paint and color?
  6. incoming, Aug 10, 2025
    #6
    incoming

    incoming Active Member

    Joined:
    Jan 14, 2021
    Messages:
    211
    Location:
    Cocoa Beach, FL
    Unfortunately I have no contact with the PO. Though I suspect it wouldn’t matter - my guess is the boat was painted by the owner before him.
  7. SplashFl, Aug 11, 2025
    #7
    SplashFl

    SplashFl Senior Member

    Joined:
    Feb 2, 2021
    Messages:
    647
    Location:
    S. Florida _ Bertram 46
    Pro used Awlcraft 2000 on mine from rub rail to boot stripe. Prior to painting the yellow hull to match the white bridge he had rep from Merit Supply visit with some type of electronic device that when waved over a freshly cleaned area provided a color match formula so perfect that where the new met the existing bridge white a difference could not been seen.
    incoming likes this.
  8. K1W1, Aug 12, 2025
    #8
    K1W1

    K1W1 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Sep 30, 2005
    Messages:
    7,439
    Location:
    My Office
    I sailed with a Captain that wanted us to paint the engine room with that Ezy Poxy stuff. It went on warm pipes whoite and by the next day was a sort of cafe con leche colour. After a few months he relented and let us use Awlgrip