Third Deck Coat & Companionway Slide Hatch

February 10, 2018

I set out today to get the first coat of Interlux Perfection on the companionway slide hatch, and to get the third coat on a portion of the deck.  I decided to split the deck up into two parts, to apply paint to them on separate sessions if necessary.  In fact, the paint application to the deck is made much easier and manageable by portioning the deck this way.

I sanded the surfaces I was to paint with 400-grit paper, hand sanding the entirety.  

For the deck, I sanded the poop deck, side decks, and up to the bow and in between the two nonskid surfaces on the foredeck.  This deck space comprised the first of two; the second part of the deck is the cabin sides and cabin top.  

I also sanded this portion of the deck with 400-grit paper.

I then mixed a small pot of Interlux Perfection Mediterranean White.  I applied the tight spots on the companionway slide hatch with a foam brush, and then immediately went over to Joule to hit the tight spots around the bow with that same foam brush.  After finishing the deck, I came back to the slide hatch and finished the primary field area to complete its first coat.

I stated above, I completed my way around the deck prior to getting back to the slide hatch.

I will apply a fourth and final coat to the deck prior to hardware installation and brightwork installation.

Total Time Today: 2 hrs

5th Coat on the Topsides

February 7, 2018

I thoroughly wiped down the hull, while the two-part paint was catalyzing, and then applied the 5th coat of Interlux Perfection topsides paint.

Total Time Today: 1.25 hrs

Sanding Topsides, Deck/Cockpit & Application of Second Coat to Deck/Cockpit

February 6, 2018

I took a vacation day to then take advantage of the great painting conditions - something other than windy and rainy.  I immediately began in the morning, around 0800 with sanding the cockpit, deck and cabin top with 400-grit paper.  This was to be the second coat applied to those aforementioned areas on Joule, and she was already taking the Interlux Perfection well.  Over the next few hours, I hand-sanded my way across the areas to be repainted.

After I completed the sanding, I thoroughly vacuumed the surfaces and then wiped them down with a solvent dampened rag.  I then mixed a pot of the Perfection Mediterranean White; while I awaited the 20-minute induction period, I collected the tools required for the paint application. 

I began in the cockpit, and carefully worked the areas holding a tight radius before moving onto the larger field areas of the seat tops, coamings, aft cockpit bulkhead, etc.  I then moved to the cabin bulkhead, cabin top and sides - progressing forward to the bow.

With the cabin surfaces completed, I moved on to the starboard side decks and worked towards the bow...

...and then back down the port side, finishing off on the poop deck.

With the painting of the second coat on the deck/cockpit completed, I took a break to run an errand for the through-hull fittings (cockpit drains) - which would provide time for the paint to dry to a point where I could continue with the topsides.  I ran out to secure couplers and hose barbs for both the starboard and port cockpit drains.  At some point, the owners will replace the older through-hulls with proper seacocks, but for now the task was to remove the brass ball-valves, update the hose, and apply the proper hose clamps.

I made a successful trip, securing the items I required.  When I returned, I immediately got started with sanding the topsides to prep for paint to come.

I worked my way from the starboard aft counter, and progressed forward to the starboard bow.

I then worked from the port bow back to the short portion of port counter, and finished at the stern.

With a good vacuuming of the topsides, Joule was ready for a solvent wipe down and her fourth coat of paint.

Total Time Today:  6.25 hrs