Fixing scratches in Awlgrip
When a boat that has been painted with Awlgrip
gets scratched, how do you repair the scratch. If it was gelcoat, you would just fill in the scratch with matching color gelcoat, sand it fair, and then polish it out. Our new boat was recently painted with Awlgrip, and it looks like they scratched it putting it into the dock. How can I make the scratches go away? Don W. |
Fixing scratches in Awlgrip
Don W wrote:
When a boat that has been painted with Awlgrip gets scratched, how do you repair the scratch. If it was gelcoat, you would just fill in the scratch with matching color gelcoat, sand it fair, and then polish it out. Our new boat was recently painted with Awlgrip, and it looks like they scratched it putting it into the dock. How can I make the scratches go away? Don W. Try http://www.awlgrip.com/awlgrip_pages/contact.htm |
Fixing scratches in Awlgrip
;-) Reminds me of the answer to how to fix the
rattles and squeaks in an older car. "Turn up the radio". Don W. Mys Terry wrote: On Wed, 03 May 2006 06:15:40 GMT, Don W wrote: When a boat that has been painted with Awlgrip gets scratched, how do you repair the scratch. If it was gelcoat, you would just fill in the scratch with matching color gelcoat, sand it fair, and then polish it out. Our new boat was recently painted with Awlgrip, and it looks like they scratched it putting it into the dock. How can I make the scratches go away? Don W. Think about something else. 8^) |
Fixing scratches in Awlgrip
Fired them off a short email. We'll see what they
have to say. Don W. Dennis Pogson wrote: Don W wrote: When a boat that has been painted with Awlgrip gets scratched, how do you repair the scratch. If it was gelcoat, you would just fill in the scratch with matching color gelcoat, sand it fair, and then polish it out. Our new boat was recently painted with Awlgrip, and it looks like they scratched it putting it into the dock. How can I make the scratches go away? Don W. Try http://www.awlgrip.com/awlgrip_pages/contact.htm |
Fixing scratches in Awlgrip
Don ,,,, I was asking myself this same question lately.
I saw this really sweet boat, it had a new ( owner said $7,000 ) finish job done to the topsides. I'm looking it over with envy when I see a big old scratch on the side. Looked like the boat had rubbed up against a dock and maybe a nail got it. I kept thinking ??? $7,000 and now there is a big scratch. Later I was talking to another boat owner and I said "why don't people just paint the boats with one part paint, then when the topside gets scratched it won't be a big deal". I'm still wondering about that ... why do boat owners have Awlgrip jobs knowing that the paint is going to get scratched? With the roll, and dry tip method of painting ,,, I have seen paint jobs on the net that look as good as Awlgrip. So,, what is the answer ?? ======================= "Don W" wrote in message om... When a boat that has been painted with Awlgrip gets scratched, how do you repair the scratch. If it was gelcoat, you would just fill in the scratch with matching color gelcoat, sand it fair, and then polish it out. Our new boat was recently painted with Awlgrip, and it looks like they scratched it putting it into the dock. How can I make the scratches go away? Don W. |
Fixing scratches in Awlgrip
Some shops give you a "touch up" kit after they awlgrip the boat. If
you're lucky, you have it. If your still lucky, you know what color awlgrip was used on the boat, and youc an get some awlgrip and match it up. (Go to a yard/paint shop and ask them--you dont' really want to deal with even the quart-size containers.) That said, it's very difficult to touch up awlgrip and not leave a visible seam. Since it's paint, it goes on in layers, and the new layer sits higher than the old layer. You can't buff it, so what do you do? You can try feathering a little and use a light hand. I wouldn't tape around the patch area--that will just leave distinct lines where the tape was. That said, be mindful of drips. |
Fixing scratches in Awlgrip
Thomas Wentworth wrote:
Don ,,,, I was asking myself this same question lately. I saw this really sweet boat, it had a new ( owner said $7,000 ) finish job done to the topsides. I'm looking it over with envy when I see a big old scratch on the side. Looked like the boat had rubbed up against a dock and maybe a nail got it. I kept thinking ??? $7,000 and now there is a big scratch. Later I was talking to another boat owner and I said "why don't people just paint the boats with one part paint, then when the topside gets scratched it won't be a big deal". I'm still wondering about that ... why do boat owners have Awlgrip jobs knowing that the paint is going to get scratched? With the roll, and dry tip method of painting ,,, I have seen paint jobs on the net that look as good as Awlgrip. So,, what is the answer ?? You got me. I'm a fan of gelcoat repair myself. Then when you get even a deep scratch, you can fill it in with color matched gelcoat, wet sand it down, buff, polish, wax, and you can't even see where the repair was done. I think that because gel coating is a little more labor intensive than painting, a lot of people choose the easy way out. Don W. |
Fixing scratches in Awlgrip
Dennis Pogson wrote: Don W wrote: When a boat that has been painted with Awlgrip gets scratched, how do you repair the scratch. If it was gelcoat, you would just fill in the scratch with matching color gelcoat, sand it fair, and then polish it out. Our new boat was recently painted with Awlgrip, and it looks like they scratched it putting it into the dock. How can I make the scratches go away? Don W. Try http://www.awlgrip.com/awlgrip_pages/contact.htm Okay, got a reply back from the Awlgrip factory, and here is what they say. I especially noted the part about "Please note that these touch up spots will be visible" The following is by Beth Bernhorst at Awlgrip.com: If you are wanting to touch up the scratches, you can follow the system below. Unfortunately we do not have touch up kits at this time. The smallest quantity of the color base available is a quart and the smallest quantity of brushing converter is a pint. Sometimes a local boatyard that applies the Awlgrip may be willing to sell a small quantity of the paint for minor touch ups, or try contacting the yard that applied the Awlgrip - they may be able to supply you with a small quantity. The following is the procedure for doing touch ups by brush. AWLGRIP(r) TOUCH-UP PROCEDURE Note: The procedure which follows is for very small scratches or dings. On large repairs it is often much more efficient to re-paint a complete section than it is to touch up a small area, this work should be left to professionals. For small scratches and dings, use the appropriate 2 parts of color base mixed with 1 part AWL-CAT(r)#3 Brushing Converter (H3002), and a fine artist's brush to re-establish the color and seal the substrate. For small repairs you probably will not need reducer for the topcoat or any primer. Gouges that go deep into, or through, the gelcoat should be primed before applying topcoat. Seriously cracked or crazed fiberglass should be professionally repaired. Keep a clean rag nearby soaked with M.E.K. or Acetone. If you put on too much paint, wipe it off with the rag while it is still wet and start again. Please note that these touch up spots will be visible. The new paint will have more gloss than the old and you may notice a color difference. We do not recommend buffing the surface to "blend" the touch up area and the old finish. This includes the use of Finness-It(r) and similar products. The benefit to touching up these small scratches is you are sealing the surface, helping to prevent water or other contaminants from under-cutting the paint film. You may also want to try using Awlcare (Protective Polymer Sealer). It goes on much like a liquid wax, but contains no abrasives and is non-yellowing and non-building. Please reply or call 847-599-6212 if you have any additional questions. |
Fixing scratches in Awlgrip
After this thread ,, I'm more convinced than ever that Awlgrip paint jobs
are a big RIP OFF. Ya spend thousands and the paint can't even be touched up? I loved the part about "leave it to Professionals". Sure, the same guys who charged $7,000 to paint the boat once will now want $7,000 to paint it again. There are numerous stories on the net of boat owners who painted their boats using the two part paints with a roller and tip brush method. Their jobs look just as good as the $7,000 Awlgrip job. And also ,, there are stories on the net of folks who painted their boats with one part paint, looked darn good. For $7,000 you can paint the boat a bunch. Awlgrip ... big waste of money. ====================== "Don W" wrote in message . com... Dennis Pogson wrote: Don W wrote: When a boat that has been painted with Awlgrip gets scratched, how do you repair the scratch. If it was gelcoat, you would just fill in the scratch with matching color gelcoat, sand it fair, and then polish it out. Our new boat was recently painted with Awlgrip, and it looks like they scratched it putting it into the dock. How can I make the scratches go away? Don W. Try http://www.awlgrip.com/awlgrip_pages/contact.htm Okay, got a reply back from the Awlgrip factory, and here is what they say. I especially noted the part about "Please note that these touch up spots will be visible" The following is by Beth Bernhorst at Awlgrip.com: If you are wanting to touch up the scratches, you can follow the system below. Unfortunately we do not have touch up kits at this time. The smallest quantity of the color base available is a quart and the smallest quantity of brushing converter is a pint. Sometimes a local boatyard that applies the Awlgrip may be willing to sell a small quantity of the paint for minor touch ups, or try contacting the yard that applied the Awlgrip - they may be able to supply you with a small quantity. The following is the procedure for doing touch ups by brush. AWLGRIP(r) TOUCH-UP PROCEDURE Note: The procedure which follows is for very small scratches or dings. On large repairs it is often much more efficient to re-paint a complete section than it is to touch up a small area, this work should be left to professionals. For small scratches and dings, use the appropriate 2 parts of color base mixed with 1 part AWL-CAT(r)#3 Brushing Converter (H3002), and a fine artist's brush to re-establish the color and seal the substrate. For small repairs you probably will not need reducer for the topcoat or any primer. Gouges that go deep into, or through, the gelcoat should be primed before applying topcoat. Seriously cracked or crazed fiberglass should be professionally repaired. Keep a clean rag nearby soaked with M.E.K. or Acetone. If you put on too much paint, wipe it off with the rag while it is still wet and start again. Please note that these touch up spots will be visible. The new paint will have more gloss than the old and you may notice a color difference. We do not recommend buffing the surface to "blend" the touch up area and the old finish. This includes the use of Finness-It(r) and similar products. The benefit to touching up these small scratches is you are sealing the surface, helping to prevent water or other contaminants from under-cutting the paint film. You may also want to try using Awlcare (Protective Polymer Sealer). It goes on much like a liquid wax, but contains no abrasives and is non-yellowing and non-building. Please reply or call 847-599-6212 if you have any additional questions. |
Fixing scratches in Awlgrip
On Wed, 03 May 2006 06:15:40 GMT, Don W
wrote: When a boat that has been painted with Awlgrip gets scratched, how do you repair the scratch. If it was gelcoat, you would just fill in the scratch with matching color gelcoat, sand it fair, and then polish it out. Our new boat was recently painted with Awlgrip, and it looks like they scratched it putting it into the dock. How can I make the scratches go away? Don W. Awlgrip (catalyzed polyurethane) is no more difficult to apply than any good automotive finish. The problem is getting the perfect color match. If you have or can get the mix formula and the finish isn't faded, the battle is 90 percent won. For small scratches I would wet sand them out and use an air brush or small touch up gun. Or if you have a friend who is in the auto body or car restoration business, get them to help you. Just follow the safety info with regard to respiratory protection. It is fairly potent stuff. Frank |
Fixing scratches in Awlgrip
Hi Frank,
I've applied Imron successfully with my spray rig on several occasions, and I suspect applying Awlgrip is similar. I have a Binks gun with a pressure pot, as well as HVLP guns, gravity feed guns, touchup guns, and even airless. Oh yes, I've got an air brush with a compressor also :). The PO painted the boat himself (rolled and tipped it with Awlgrip), and although it looks really good from ten feet away, it is not a professional quality finish when viewed close up. Additionally, the finish--which is less than two months old--has two very visible dock rash scratches which are six to eight feet long (sigh). The good news is that because it was painted so recently, I stand a more than decent chance of getting a good color match. Right now I'm just studying the issue, because there are other things on the boat that will have priority for a while--thru hulls, standing rig, electrical wiring, sanitation, etc., but I might bring my touch up gun and a compressor down and do an experiment at the dock. If I get a calm day, I can pretty much guarantee no overspray with the touch up gun. My experience with Imron is that it is tough to wetsand. Don W. Frank Boettcher wrote: Awlgrip (catalyzed polyurethane) is no more difficult to apply than any good automotive finish. The problem is getting the perfect color match. If you have or can get the mix formula and the finish isn't faded, the battle is 90 percent won. For small scratches I would wet sand them out and use an air brush or small touch up gun. Or if you have a friend who is in the auto body or car restoration business, get them to help you. Just follow the safety info with regard to respiratory protection. It is fairly potent stuff. Frank |
Fixing scratches in Awlgrip
Don W wrote:
Hi Frank, I've applied Imron successfully with my spray rig on several occasions, and I suspect applying Awlgrip is similar. I have a Binks gun with a pressure pot, as well as HVLP guns, gravity feed guns, touchup guns, and even airless. Oh yes, I've got an air brush with a compressor also :). The PO painted the boat himself (rolled and tipped it with Awlgrip), and although it looks really good from ten feet away, it is not a professional quality finish when viewed close up. Additionally, the finish--which is less than two months old--has two very visible dock rash scratches which are six to eight feet long (sigh). The good news is that because it was painted so recently, I stand a more than decent chance of getting a good color match. Right now I'm just studying the issue, because there are other things on the boat that will have priority for a while--thru hulls, standing rig, electrical wiring, sanitation, etc., but I might bring my touch up gun and a compressor down and do an experiment at the dock. If I get a calm day, I can pretty much guarantee no overspray with the touch up gun. My experience with Imron is that it is tough to wetsand. Don W. Frank Boettcher wrote: Awlgrip (catalyzed polyurethane) is no more difficult to apply than any good automotive finish. The problem is getting the perfect color match. If you have or can get the mix formula and the finish isn't faded, the battle is 90 percent won. For small scratches I would wet sand them out and use an air brush or small touch up gun. Or if you have a friend who is in the auto body or car restoration business, get them to help you. Just follow the safety info with regard to respiratory protection. It is fairly potent stuff. Frank I have a boat with an old Awlgrip finish and am pondering my next move and am intrigued with your comments about gelcoat. From your experience, what options do I have, if any, regarding.....gelcoat, Awlgrip, etc.... ? And, which do you recommend and why ? Appreciatively, Courtney |
Fixing scratches in Awlgrip
If your boat has already had an awlgrip finish, your best bet is to
continue with Awlgrip. Awlgrip is not compatible with any other finishes. In order to obtain a different finish you would have to have your boat stripped down first. This will be costly and should be done professionally. To keep expenses down and aggrevation, I would paint the boat with Awlgrip. If you have never painted a boat or are unfamiliar with Awlgrip, than I would recommend having it done professionally. If you have painted a boat and are somewhat familiar with Awlgrip, than I would recommend rolling and tipping. I would never recommend that you spray Awlgrip your self. It is extremely dangerous to your health when you spray. Even when rolling and tipping you should always wear gloves and a respirator. |
Fixing scratches in Awlgrip
Courtney Thomas wrote:
Hi Courtney, Unfortunately I don't have any experience with Awlgrip except for now owning a boat that has been painted with it. I believe that you would have to remove the Awlgrip if you wanted to apply new gelcoat. Don W. Don W wrote: Hi Frank, I've applied Imron successfully with my spray rig on several occasions, and I suspect applying Awlgrip is similar. I have a Binks gun with a pressure pot, as well as HVLP guns, gravity feed guns, touchup guns, and even airless. Oh yes, I've got an air brush with a compressor also :). Don W. Frank Boettcher wrote: Awlgrip (catalyzed polyurethane) is no more difficult to apply than any good automotive finish. The problem is getting the perfect color match. If you have or can get the mix formula and the finish isn't faded, the battle is 90 percent won. For small scratches I would wet sand them out and use an air brush or small touch up gun. Or if you have a friend who is in the auto body or car restoration business, get them to help you. Just follow the safety info with regard to respiratory protection. It is fairly potent stuff. Frank I have a boat with an old Awlgrip finish and am pondering my next move and am intrigued with your comments about gelcoat. From your experience, what options do I have, if any, regarding.....gelcoat, Awlgrip, etc.... ? And, which do you recommend and why ? Appreciatively, Courtney |
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