[anglooff]

I am beginning to implement some upgrades and I need some advice on painting above the waterline. Loon Song is steel…She was sand blasted in 1993 and her original system was zinc primer- 3 x two part epoxy and 2 x Polyutherane. (All International paint co. products) and generally has been well maintained inside and out. The deck painting however is overdue some work.

My thoughts are to bring it up a level and in a few years sand blast and start again. Therefore my questions are…..

1. Does it matter if I decide to use a different company’s products on existing system. Here in Venezuela the company known as Sherwin Williams was taken over, with existing staff and technology a few years ago. SW supply the US navy, cruise ships, oil rigs with Marine Epoxy the renamed company VP standards are reputed to be similar. It isn’t that difficult to obtain international paint Co. products, although at a premium price. However SW designed special epoxy and paints for the US navy and both the price and ease of availability would be advantageous if no inherent problem I have overlooked exists. I figure that if it doesn’t work well then I can solve/correct it later. Where am I going wrong
2. The last owner was going to add sand to the epoxy (flush deck) as a non slip solution. What are your views as to its benefit? What is the best ratio? What would be a better option.
3. Would you finish the deck with 2x Polyutherane finish paint or would you suggest a better combination.


Thanks in advance

Alan