Paint or Bare under deck fittings

[BlackWind]

Hi Folks...
I am carrying out a complete refurbishment of my deck and having to refit the deck hardware (all of it). My question is, is it better to seal and paint the deck completely and then refit the deck hardware, or seal and bolt the fittings and then paint around them? Basically is it okay to add the sealant on top of the two pack epoxy paint I am using or should it go straight on to the deck material? I know this seems and obvious one to look up on the data sheets but it seems to skip this point?!
Thanks in advance...

[captjcook]

If you just paint up to the deck hardware, it will form a meniscus that will chip and fail first. So, yes the butyl tape will seal to the paint.

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[model 10]

Did you say epoxy as a finish coat? That is not normal as it does not handle UV. Epoxy primer and some sort of top coat is usual. Personal opinion here but I would paint then bed in uv sealant. Paint will crack.

[rognvald]

BW,
I have never completely painted under deck fittings after a repair but rather just beyond the ID for continuity since I seal all covered/mating surfaces with West System barrier coat. The reason is is that when you remove the fittings after being mounted with sealant, you will invariably scrape/lift the existing paint underneath. The barrier coat is bullet-proof, will tolerate scraping and has no exposure to UV under the fitting. Good luck and safe sailing.

[BlackWind]

Thanks folk, that answered mainly what I needed to know. The Epoxy paint is factory floor paint (the boat is ferrocement). I will indeed paint the whole boat first and then bed the deck hardware.The barrier coat sounds a good idea though and I will look into that...