Hull Paint: Alexseal or Awlgrip

That's good news for the owner anyway! I also suspected it was a dark color which makes it even harder to flow before it flashes. It is funny how different brands seem to dominate in specific geographical areas, not just paint either. Most often I think it is a matter of rep support and we are fortunate to have one of the best IMHO, close by but I also know their rep down there and he is top notch and an old triggerman too. I freely admit I struggled with it at first but once I learned it's characteristics, things have went smoothly ever since.

DA's on an exterior surface??? AAARRGHHH! Few and far between are the people I've seen who can use one of those and not create a bunch of what we call "flounders" or "da'vits". They're no fun to use but those long boards are definitely my weapon of choice. Plus, you don't have to go to the doctor for a heart checkup, if you can do that all day, you're doing fine!

Dupont had a great product in years past but when they basically dropped the marine market years ago, it left a lot of folks with a sour taste in their mouth, wondering if they'd do it again. I've used the entire system and it seems to work just fine, especially their fairing primers and the topcoat shoots even easier than 5.0 did. The jury's still out on longevity, as the oldest shot I did is two years old now but looking good today. As you well know K1W1, none of the paint manuf's warranty the job unless applied over their primer, but I'd want to do that anyway after the inevitable fairing was done.

Hi,

That is the big stumbling block, the 545 is already on and the applicator is really digging in about applying the HS Primer. If they can be convinced to apply the primer then we will do the whole boat in DuPont.

Unless the applicator wants another fairing pass, if the 545 is already on, sanded and ready to shoot (within 5 days of the sanding!!!), you may be able to convince the Dupont rep to give you a waiver in writing, especially if it's a high-profile or large job. I have had paint companies do that in the past and it may be worth a try. They will want to look closely at the final sanding profile and final wipe down but that's good insurance in any case. IF the 545 primer stuck to whatever lies beneath without lifting during a crosshatch test it should be just fine as 545 is still one heck of a good epoxy primer, as are all the others.

I'm going to have to look more closely at my grapefruit in the morning, usually before coffee my eyes don't focus that close up to well! You may have just introduced another paint job quality definition to the industry besides DOI. One of my neighbors (jokingly?) says in that his contracts it says "the paint job shall not impede the progress of the boat". Even heard of the technique of rolling the first coat then spraying the rest to get more texture to hide unfairness.

It is a shame the boat had to go on time constraints with a less than the beautiful job I'm sure you wanted. If you ever get in this kind of jam again please PM me and I will try to get some help to wherever you are. I am not a huge player in the business but OEM's do get a little more "attention".

I Don't know what the preceeding color was but hopefully it was also dark and the dreaded post cure won't make it worse with time as I've seen with every paint brand.

hi all,
I'm captain on a 50+ meters Perini Navi sailing yacht. At the end of the season the boat will go for full paint, hull top sides and superstructure.
according with the posts in this very helpful thread and the designated sprayer suggestions, we will not use awl grip any more.
The choice now is between Alexseal and Dupont.The sprayer was telling me that Dupont is the best on "metallic" paints, but for their experience, on "non metallic" paints, Alexseal is better.
The colours of the boat in awl grip are: blue top sides (perini blue now called midnight blue) and white superstructure (eggshell white).
What do you think gentleman regarding the difference between metal and non metal paints?

Out of experience : both systems are good,with a significant parameter that of polishing..
Dupont is a brand name in Metallicsindeed, but cant say that different from alexseal.
From practiacal point of you I would say Dupont is more sensitive to conditions,and you need painter knowing the system.Knowing the paint makes actually the difference in my opinion

Metallics are definitely harder to apply correctly. Make sure your chosen applicator has experience with spraying large areas not just small parts. You have one chance to get it right and one chance only. There's no going back and "fixing" sags, dust or dry spray. Proper spray patterns are an absolute must with metallics or it will show waves like crazy. They are also nearly impossible to repair without showing a halo around the repaired spot at best. Spraying several coats of clear over the base will help buffing in touch-up spots but not completely. Good luck and please post pics if you do it. Big metallic boats are certainly eye catching!

Hi Dieke,

I have sent a PM to you

I agree with you, just like to have a different opinion. We'll go 100% on non metallic paint. Except all the risks related with the application on such a large area, is too important have a paint that also the crew in case of emergency has the possibility to repair a small damage with a good result.
we always try to avoid even a little scratch, but can happen at any time.
thanx a lot for reply.

You are most welcome. It is unfortunate that the inevitable scratches and dings do happen no matter how careful the crew may be. I have to admit drooling over some of the brilliant colors available in metallic and wishing to one day paint a hull with them instead of just the windshields and small parts I have done. Maybe when I repaint my MUCH smaller custom boat I will take the plunge, a few more scratches and I'll be ready to stop repairing, uh oh, what did I just say???

Hey Dieke,
Sorry to get to you so late. Just some info for you if it's not to late.
I've done 2 Perinis in DuPont. Jet Black in Base coat/Clear Coat and a Perini Blue using the 2K Top gloss with Clear on top. Great results with both. Both are over 2 years, and on the Blue we did some minor repairs, with polishing out the edges and could not notice a thing.
Alexseal is a good paint, don't get me wrong, but as with most Linear PU, it tends to peel when you put enough on it to last. Earlier this year finished a 140 meter with White Alexseal, and there was various degrees of peel through out the Top sides. Knowing the Cpt and Owner, and as the Gloss was very good, we did accept it, but this is a boat that will not see many piers.
I'm just finishing an almost 80 meter in Dark Blue DuPont 2 K, and I must say, I'm very happy with the results.
As all have said, it is a differant paint, and the sprayers need to know how to spray it, but DuPont will give the Applicator an extensive training.
It's becoming my favorite at the moment.
Of course, I'm continuing to watch the market, and things can change, but for the moment....

Hope to have helped you and any.
Questions, don't hesitate to PM me.

Cheers

Thanxs a lot for the informations

Dieke, my original post in reply was deleted.

I note that the most recent replies here have been from YF contributors who "prefer to communicate by PMs..."

Many of the most important "yacht paint" manufacturers in conjunction with their approved applicators, today offer quite concrete guarantees. You may have liked the finish on "X" yacht. But are you willing to take the risk of specifying "X" paint manufacturer, whose products are applied by "X" applicator, without any concrete guarantees at the end of the day?

There are also established standards (mostly used by specialist paint consultants) when required to submit reports on faulty yacht paint jobs for insurance purposes.

The most recent example I have is for a 65m Dutch-built yacht. The builder / insurers had to pay out over €650,000 for the complete repainting of just the hull.

Unless Dieke, knows much better, the pertinent question/s should be related to whether or not the paint manufacturer and/or applicator have sufficient insurance coverage. In order to back up their (original / eventual) claims of "gloss factor" remaining in excess of 80% after 2 years...?!

PS. For what it's worth, next time you undertake a complete paint-job, find out what the company you're signing the contract is actually worth.

I believe I've said my piece.

So, Tarek
Did you find an answer yet? We have only an old 58ft and thought we were going to stay with AwlGrip. Boy am I confused now. Ya think I need insurance to paint my boat? What part of the world were you painting in?

Hi YPC1,
Thank you for this very valuable info - I was about to repaint with Awlgrip in January 2012!!
I am overseas, Malaysia and after a fruitless 2 day search, I cannot find any agents for Dupont Imron paints. Can anybody help, perhaps a US distributor who will ship overseas?
Many thanks
Alan

Hi Capt J
Thank you for your sound advice, I will speak with the paint company and ask their advice on the materials they best use.
Alan

wow gosh... someone's panties are really in a bunch, eh?

I'd just like to point out one thing, which, like most of this thread has nothing to do with the subject..... (I'm thankful i scrolled all the way and didnt miss the great pics, tho!)

If Feadship repainted any yacht, at any cost, its not a kudos to Awlgrip! if anything, it *most probably* (not definitely, but *most probably*, because of awlgrip - given the recent evidence...) is quite the opposite!!! Good thing Feadship took care of the owner (althgouh i'm sure they did it because of iron-clad contracts, not because they are nice-folk... thats just not how things work...)

And lastly, do you know how much the yacht with 650k paintjob costs? So figure out the %age loss that feadship had... %-wise it follows for any boat... most probably even less on a large boat...

So puh-lease, no more awlgrip worshipping, and no credit-to-awlgrip because some other party (in this case a shipyard) held up their end of the bargain....

sorry for butting in... Very nice boat TK! It is just a shame the thread turned into ramblings....(including mine!)