Seajet Boat painting guide

Most topcoats are compatible. Remember that a 1-component topcoat can be applied over a 2-component topcoat, but not the other way around.

Make sure you pick a dry day. Preferably paint in the morning to avoid evening condensation settling on the surface. You can dampen the ground underneath the boat to avoid dust rising.

Sanding is required to obtain a smooth surface and key the surface. Surfaces to be painted must be clean, dry and free of oil or grease. Existing paints need to be sanded to remove small lumps and ‘blebs’ in the paintwork. Flatten back with P180-P280 abrasive paper. Finally, brush off dust and use lint free tack rags to remove remaining traces of dust.

Preparation can vary depending on the surface to be coated, so follow our painting specification for specific details of preparation.

Bare surfaces must first be primed with Seajet 012 Undercoat. Two coats will give an even better finish. Stir thoroughly before use with a flat blade or stirring stick. Remove sanding dust with a brushand then a lint free tack rag.

Seajet topcoats can be applied directly to existing paint or fibre glass. First rubdown to remove any imperfections using 280 then 320 abrasive paper. However to obtain a uniform and consistent colour, an undercoat is recommended. This also acts to seal the filler and prevents moisture being absorbed. SEAJET 012 Universal Primer Undercoat should be applied and then flattened back using 320 grade abrasive paper.

For best results, apply using a short haired roller and layoff with a long haired, high quality, soft bristled brush. Use a criss-cross pattern and always finish the last stroke in the same direction.

Flatten back between coats using 320-400 abrasive paper. Two or preferably three coats will give a long lasting finish.

When the overcoating time is exceeded you have to abrade before applying the next coat (2-component product). To get a glass-like finish we recommend abrading (P320-P400) between the layers.

Remove any old varnish layers in poor condition by sanding. To improve adhesion to the wood, degrease oily woods like pine, by wiping with SEAJET Thinner. Sand the surface with P80-P180 along the grain, followed by P280-P320, until it is very smooth. Some extra effort at this stage will be rewarded with a better  quality finish. Remove all dust by thinner wiping and allow to dry.

For existing varnish in good condition, clean with SEAJET Thinner. Wash down with fresh water and let it dry. Flatten back with P280-P320 abrasive paper and clean the surface with a tack rag.

The objective is to achieve a glass like finish. This can only be achieved with multiple coats. So thin the first coat by 50% on bare wood. Thin the second coat by 25%, the third by 10% and then apply additional coats, thinning if necessary by 5%. Apply a total of 7 or 8 coats for a glass like finish. Sand between coats with  P320-P400 for a better finish.

Once a varnish has been applied, it needs yearly maintenance.We recommend topping the system up with at least one coat per year. Apply varnish with a loaded brush or roller, then brush out firstly across the grain, followed by along the grain. Work on a small, one square metre area at a time, to avoid it drying before you have finished brushing. Avoid painting varnish when damp or in direct sunlight.