If you've recently completed a marine paint job and the end results are looking a little lacklustre, it can be disheartening and frustrating, particularly when you've spent time trying to get everything right.

However, the problem is usually not to do with your topcoats, resins or primers, but with how you use them. So if your boat surfaces are displaying strange paint-related symptoms, worry not. Mylor Rigging will take you through 5 of the most common painting mistakes and the ways you can resolve them.

Dull And Lacking Shine

If your painted surfaces are looking dull, discoloured or have lost their attractive lustre, this was probably caused by certain environmental conditions you were working in that were unsuitable for the particular primers or resins you were using at the time.

Always paint in an environment where the temperature and humidity will remain stable for the majority of the curing time. Refrain from painting or curing in cold or damp conditions, use epoxies in warm, dry surroundings and, to prevent paint from blushing, make sure the temperature doesn't drop rapidly when the paint is applied - avoid those late afternoon or evening painting jobs! If in doubt, always follow the label directions carefully.

Bubbling And Blistering

One of the most common and unsightly painting issues - bubbling and blistering can happen for a number of different reasons such as air becoming trapped, applying paint too generously in hot or blustery conditions, moisture exposure and unclean work surfaces.

However, many problems can be treated by scraping away the bubbles and blisters, or the whole coat if necessary, then sanding thoroughly and washing with clean, fresh water before patching, priming and adding finishing coats if needed.

Paint Peeling

If your painted boat surface begins to peel away revealing coatings underneath, or if every coat of paint is peeling, there may have been rust, grease or oil on the substrate. Always make sure you're painting on a clean, uncontaminated work surface.

Too many layers of old paint may have built up over years of applying and reapplying, which will require complete removal. In other instances, you have followed the instructions on the paint label incorrectly, applying too much or too little paint or not adhering to the correct directions for preparation.

Looks Gritty Or Grainy

If your painted surface doesn't look smooth or has noticeable imperfections, this will be down to issues of cleanliness during and prior to painting. These include using dusty paint utensils and dirty paint receptacles, poor clothing choices (not wearing clean painting overalls), and painting in an environment where there is falling debris, dust, pollen or even insects.

Treatment will require you to identify what external factors are causing the grittiness and how widespread the problem is before sanding accordingly until the surface is smooth, and finally, recoating in a dust and debris-free environment.

Brushmarks Are Visible

If you're applying too much paint, using poor painting techniques or you're painting in hot weather, unsightly brush marks may appear on your boat surfaces as they dry. You might also see brush marks if you've used a pot of paint that has passed its shelf life. To remedy this issue, sand away brush marks until the surface is smooth again and recoat.


Post By Ed Mason