Equipment Guidelines
Equipment Guidelines
The type of equipment you choose can make a difference to the success of your project. Guidelines for the best equipment to use are always detailed on the paint can, and if a particular type of brush or roller is required, it will be specified.
Brush
It is always important to choose a good quality brush, which is as large as you can comfortably use. A good brush is a good investment, and should be cleaned properly after use.
Roller
Generally, a medium pile roller is recommended for antifouling application, and a small cell-foam roller for gloss finishes.
Spray
Although our products are designed for easy application by brush or roller, many can also be spray applied but will require specialist equipment. Consult product data sheets for spray equipment recommendations.
Stirring Stick
A suitable stirrer will be needed to stir the paint prior to use; an old screwdriver is not suitable for this job. A stirring stick is best. Remove surface dust with a dust wipe before use.
Mixing Cup
Mixing cups with graduated mixing ratio indicators are designed to ensure the correct and precise measuring and mixing proportions of paints, activators and thinners.
Masking
Prior to painting, the target area should be masked off using a high-quality clean-edged tape. There are two types available; paper-masking tape which is suitable for antifouling, and high-performance tapes which are suitable for topsides finishes and will prevent creep.
Scraper
Use a scraper to remove old paint. Ensure you keep the tool sharp; it's a good idea to round off the corners to minimise the risk of gouging. A ‘dragging’ type is usually more controllable than a ‘pushing’ type.
Grinder
Angle grinders are used for grinding, polishing and cutting. With a wide variety to choose from, the most important factors to consider are the disc size and how powerful the motor is. The type of disc required will depend on the job being carried out.
Sandpaper
When sanding, the amount of paper you will use will vary enormously. A very approximate guide would be one sheet per square metre of bare substrate, such as wood or glass fibre. It is always better to use a sanding block to achieve a smoother surface. For previously painted surfaces, half a sheet per square metre is a rough guide and rubbing down between coats will use a similar amount.