I chose the International Paint system (http://www.yachtpaint.com/australia/default.asp) due to availability and having concluded that others had had success with it. Specifically I used the 3 different types:
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On the external hull I did 3 coats of each, on the internal 2 coats of each. Painting in relatively warm conditions I found that it was easy to lose the 'wet edge' as I worked my way up the hull. This issue can be avoided a little by following their recommended approach which I think they describe as union jack brush strokes,
I did all painting on my own and it may be easier if you have two people with one applying the paint and the other 'smoothing' it out.
I did some sanding inbetween coats, more based upon my assessment of the previous coats finish rather than following a structured process.
I'm pretty happy with the finish - there is a slight longitudinal ripple to reflections but this is not significant and the overall finish is a high gloss.
It takes a LONG time. I reckon it took 1 hour to do each external coat to the bottom of the hull; I did the cockpit in three stages while the boat was inverted - firstly the section above the aft seats, 1 hour per coat, then the section in the aft footwell, about 30 minutes per coat, and finally the reast which was getting on for 2 hours per coat. All of these times added together and multiplied by six is 21 hours painting the inside alone. This is no exaggeration and I was going at it fairly quickly. Certainly it surprised me.
Some other suggestions/comments
- Beware of over-applying paint - it will run, even if you don't see it immediately
- Use a quality brush
- Clean brush between coats - turps followed by washing up liquid, rinse and dry
- Think hard about when to paint what - some areas are hard to get at so do them when they are most accessible
- Of course your finish will largely depend upon the smoothness of your starting surface
- I used 3M 'delicate' masking tape which I found to be excellent
