Okay, folks, from what I see, Pettit Easypoxy and
Interlux Brightside are very similar, hard one-part
polyurethane finishes. My choice is between the two. So far, technically, to me, they seem to be very similar systems, requiring very similar processes. Is one better over another?
Okay, there's a lot of info below.
But, I'm an
engineer by day, and all I can say is, it happens.....
My data:
First, my
current trailer-sailor, a 14' Shell Swifty, was painted with both. Entirely with nothing but both. This is it's 7th summer with me. It's been in for about 100 drinks. That's 100 launchings, 100 retrievals, some video-funnies worthy! It's garage-kept. I cannot tell any significant wear on any finish, and I have no idea which is which, as I bought it this way. Looked brand new then. Looks damned good used now.
Next,
current project: 24' Culler Sharptown Barge, cat-ketch rigged, with leeboards. Bought off an estate, half-way through refinish and improvements.
I plan to use the
paint in question on the
deck and the open-back cuddy, and probably the
hull freeboard.
Hull includes leeboards,
rudder, etc. Also, possibly
interior spaces, not convinced which way to go on them yet.
Color-wise, each will require me to mix 1 qt off-white with 1 qt white for the
deck, and 1 qt straight off-white for the
cabin. (In Brightside, I prefer the Hatteras off-white, Easypoxy has an equivalent.) Sheer and above or inward, I plan satin or flat. Also, freeboard will be plain white, and below LWL will be that of dark green.
I want to use a high-fill sandable primer. There are a few sins I'd like to hide. The cuddy is unfinished
epoxy, unless you count a well-sanded layer of epoxy-microbead mix as a non-epoxy base coat. The remainder of the deck looks like either flat off-white or a primer. (The guy who knows is dead, so I don't know any more.) Also, application is planned to be roller with tipping. Yes, I have an airgun and
compressor. I don't believe it will be easier or significantly better a finish using the airgun.
As I understand it, both brands will require me to use a special
epoxy primer on naked epoxy surface. So, if I look at both taking a 2-part primer, 2 or so coats, and 2 to 3 top coats of a mix, or 2 to 3 coats of the white, and both requiring an additive to cut the sheen to satin, is there any preference between brands? If so, why?
And if I don't quit hitting the "preview" button, I will never get this posted, so...
What say you?