Clearcoat

[TPMcGinty]

I'm trying to figure out what I am going to put over my fiberglass resin for UV protection on the outside of my teardrop. I hear that the resin isn't very UV resistant and it needs a clearcoat or something over it. Any suggestions for a good brush or roll on clearcoat? Any other suggestions? Thanks.

[Nitetimes]

Don't know of any roll on clearcoats. I'd say pick up a cheap HF siphon spray gun (you could get a gravity feed or HVLP but they take a little more practice to get used to) and a gallon of automotive clearcoat and have at it. Take your time and it should look good.

[doug hodder]

If you're going to brush or roll, I'd say a good quality marine varnish. I'd spring for it and get the good stuff, lot of work if it doesn't hold up or in the case of ProHandyman...you have to redo it because it skinned off and didn't fully dry. Depending on whose epoxy you used, I'd call and ask them. Or did you use polyester? Doug

[TPMcGinty]

If you're going to brush or roll, I'd say a good quality marine varnish. I'd spring for it and get the good stuff, lot of work if it doesn't hold up or in the case of ProHandyman...you have to redo it because it skinned off and didn't fully dry. Depending on whose epoxy you used, I'd call and ask them. Or did you use polyester? Doug

Doug,

I was thinking about using the RAKA epoxy. I guess the question is will marine varnish stick to the epoxy?

[doug hodder]

I'd say your best bet is to call Raka and ask the tech guys what they recommend for a varnish. Varnish will stick, they've been doing in the boat building industry for a long time. I don't use varnish so really can't recommend one to you. Did you read the problems that Prohandyman had with his? You should be able to find one that will be fine, however, not all varnishes are created equal. An automotive clear doesn't have the same issues that a varnish can as it flashes off so quickly. That's one of the reasons I use it, but it's a spray application. Doug

Check it out.
http://tnttt.com/viewtopic.php?t=20919

[eamarquardt]

Here is an interesting site:

http://www.epoxyproducts.com/uv.html

Not sure that I would trust anything to protect resin from uv short of a pigmented covering. Not sure how important being clear to you is, but, in my and a good friend who builds boats for a living opinions, it's not a good compromise to have a clearcoat versus good pigmented uv protection.

Hope this helps.

Cheers,

Gus

[doug hodder]

Gus, no offense but he does offer up a lot of his own products as the "cure all". I dunno...maybe he knows something that Dupont doesn't. Somehow there are lots of old Chris Crafts and other vintage wooden boats running around with a redone hull/top deck with epoxy and varnish or auto clear. Granted, a pigmented finish does provide the utmost protection, but if one wants a "woody" any pigment defeats that..... Doug

[TPMcGinty]

Here is an interesting site:

http://www.epoxyproducts.com/uv.html

Not sure that I would trust anything to protect resin from uv short of a pigmented covering. Not sure how important being clear to you is, but, in my and a good friend who builds boats for a living opinions, it's not a good compromise to have a clearcoat versus good pigmented uv protection.

Hope this helps.

Cheers,

Gus

Having a clear finish is one of the most important things in the exterior finish of my teardrop. I am going to be using the epoxy to attach a camo cloth to the outside in order to give it a camo pattern. It will need to be clear to show the pattern of the cloth. Does this make sense?

[eamarquardt]

Gus, no offense but he does offer up a lot of his own products as the "cure all". I dunno...maybe he knows something that Dupont doesn't. Somehow there are lots of old Chris Crafts and other vintage wooden boats running around with a redone hull/top deck with epoxy and varnish or auto clear. Granted, a pigmented finish does provide the utmost protection, but if one wants a "woody" any pigment defeats that..... :thinking: :thinking: Doug

First, it takes more than a reasonable argument to offend me, ha. On this website: http://www.epoxyproducts.com/uv.html the author states "the best way to block uv is with pigments". I think he's saying his products are a "compromise" at best. The concept of "the perfect compromise" is an oxymoron as you are getting something desirable along with something not so desirable. I think those old Chris Crafts and other vintage boats get extensive amounts of care and are out of the weather as much as practical. Varnish works, but has to be redone periodically (at least the bright work on my boat did as it was impractical to keep it out of the weather).

TPMcGinty wrote: "Having a clear finish is one of the most important things in the exterior finish of my teardrop" (due to his desire to protect some cammo cloth). I haven't seen the cloth so I don't know exactly what he has in mind. One thing to consider is when the uv protection finish requires replacement (as all do), can you sand and refinish without damaging the cloth? One could argue the most "authentic" cammo finish is the flat paint and technique used on military vehicles. So, everything is a compromise to get what you want. I, for one, plan on a traditional, low maintenance, aluminum exterior. I am certainly ok with others doing their "thing" on their trailer as I won't be maintaining it, ha. My intent is not to be argumentative, but to explore all possibilities and "to avoid admiring our nice paint job from the corner we've just painted ourselves into". Ha.

Hope this helps.

Cheers,

Gus