A Sherwin Williams variant of the PPG
coating previously mentioned is XLE-80 (an epoxy/polyurethane coating). These are two-part polysiloxane coatings that were created in the 90s for U.S. military ships and claim some great benefits including self-priming, color retention, 10+years of gloss, no-sanding between coats during reasonable time periods, etc. Retail pricing is about the same for XLE-80 and
Interlux Perfection. Although I don't have the experience of TFrere, my results thus far are in agreement with his.
Without a doubt, in my experience application of XLE-80 is dramatically less
work intensive than Interlux Perfection and Awlgrip.
I've been experimenting with it during the past several months with some very good results. I've wrestled with dry times and reducing (which is not recommended), but the coating has proven tougher than my two-part Interlux. The Interlux
lost its shine years ago (but nonetheless the paint has survived on deck for many more years); my "home-brew scratch tests" comparisons dramatically favor the XLE.
In my experimentation, the XLE isn't an acceptable coating with brush or roller, as a presentable on-deck finish, but spraying is great. A
thorough Google of these coatings, including various
government contracts, will show that they are used successfully on
fiberglass vessels (USCG) with no extraordinary preparation despite the coatings being aimed at metal.
If any other forum folks have used these coatings, I would be interested in knowing how they have fared in your applications.
My
current plan is to use XLE-80 on the topsides this spring.
Roger