With the cold air starting to flow south over the north Pacific Ocean. the Oregon weather is beginning to feel real. However, since the boat is composite foam core construction, closing the door to the forward port side kids cabin and placing a small heater inside, kept the cabin space a nice 77 deg while the exterior shop temp is around 30.
Since I wanted to focus my efforts towards projects that can be accomplished in the interior of the boat during the winter, I took the opportunity to experiment with a coating system that I could use for all interior surfaces.
Rather than spending another two years trying to sand all the interior panels slick as glass, I wanted to create a coating that would provide a slightly modeled, but smooth textured surface that would help blend slight variances due to specific glass reinforcements. In other words, I want this boat to be a sail boat, not a New York townhouse or a condominium tied to a mooring ball.
Success: For interior surfaces, I chose a two part high solids, chemical resistant, industrial epoxy floor coating intended for aircraft hangars. It's tenacious and tough as nails. I experimented with the addition of glass micro balloons as a thickener and I found that mixing one part high solids resin with one part converter and 2 parts micro balloons resulted in a nice, thick, lightweight epoxy paint. I then used a 3 inch; 3/8 nap roller for application and it produced the effect that I wanted. My goal is to maintain an ability to take a pressure washer after just about every portion of this boat.
Since I wanted to focus my efforts towards projects that can be accomplished in the interior of the boat during the winter, I took the opportunity to experiment with a coating system that I could use for all interior surfaces.
Rather than spending another two years trying to sand all the interior panels slick as glass, I wanted to create a coating that would provide a slightly modeled, but smooth textured surface that would help blend slight variances due to specific glass reinforcements. In other words, I want this boat to be a sail boat, not a New York townhouse or a condominium tied to a mooring ball.
Success: For interior surfaces, I chose a two part high solids, chemical resistant, industrial epoxy floor coating intended for aircraft hangars. It's tenacious and tough as nails. I experimented with the addition of glass micro balloons as a thickener and I found that mixing one part high solids resin with one part converter and 2 parts micro balloons resulted in a nice, thick, lightweight epoxy paint. I then used a 3 inch; 3/8 nap roller for application and it produced the effect that I wanted. My goal is to maintain an ability to take a pressure washer after just about every portion of this boat.
Here is an example of a super lightweight foam core epoxy/composite interior bulkhead panel with the finished coating.
Posts
2 comments:
That is the finish i have on my F-44. It is used in both heads, sail locker, and shower. Holds up well and easy to clean. Let me know if you want some photos so you can see what it looks like when a entire compartment is done with it.
Kurt
I'ld love to see it. I'm not sure if blogger has a feature that allows you to add photos directly but maybe we can figure out a way. If nothing else, maybe you could send them direct to my email baselinedesign@gmail.com thanks
Post a Comment