1
With sanding dust removed and
masked up, the sheer strake received
the first undercoat with a standard 4in
foam roller, followed immediately with a
tipping-off brush to level the rolled-on
paint. This first coat alone did a satisfying
job of obliterating the substrate.
2
The next day, with the first coat cut
back using a Scotch-Brite pad, the
sheer strake receive a second undercoat- roughly 60% Pre-Kote/40% Oxford Blue
Toplac. I worked in tandem with my wife
Janie, her using a standard 4in foam roller
and me tipping off immediately afterwards.
3
A day later I cut back the second coat
in similar fashion, but the effect was
not just to level the surface but to lighten it
too. I don’t know why; it wasn’t as though
I’d cut right back to the initial undercoat.5
A week later, after cutting back again,
the second topcoat was applied.
Same application procedure, only this
time a different pal, Edwin, helped out,
using the second 4in Elite roller.
4
The day after, I applied the first topcoat – 100% Toplac, Oxford Blue. Janie had gone
on strike, so I had to nobble a clubmate, Mark, to do the rolling. This he did with one
of the 4in rollers. We worked in tandem, rolling and tipping off.
I’m happy with the result. From a
distance of about 8m it looks top
notch. On close inspection, and in
certain light angles, there’s a slight
orange peel effect. I expect my
tipping-off technique could have
been better but it was always going
to be tricky with a high gloss dark
colour, but it is a vast improvement.
However, what were the options if I
wanted to make it even better?
PBO paint expert Richard Jerram
suggested that if I was happy with
the finish then he’d discourage me
from any further burnishing of the
Toplac, the reason being that it
would remove the varnish-like
surface layer that protects the
pigment from UV. It would result in
premature loss of gloss and possible
discolouration.
Toplac can be polished and waxed
with dedicated marine products to
provide extra protection, but I’m not
sure I’m that bothered. I’m happy
with it ‘as is’.
I’ve heard of two other cases where
boat owners had the same problem,
albeit with a 2-pack application. They
got rid of it with abrasive polish – but
did wax it afterwards. It’s interesting
to note that with my level of
technique a two-pack system would
probably not have spared me this.
Meanwhile, another friend
recommended a paint blade for a
smooth surface. I’ll look into that
when I have to revisit the job which- hopefully –will not be for a good
while yet.
Will it last?
Ah, the $64m dollar question. The
short answer is that I don’t know – I’ll
report back in about five years or so- and not before!
WHAT’S THE VERDICT?PAINTING A SHEER STRAKE
Two undercoats and two topcoats