Paint and Varnish Suggestions

[Spot]

Long story short, the ubiquitous oil-based Rustoleum 'Stops Rust' alkyd enamel is no longer available as a tint base, much to my chagrin as my 'boat paint pallet' is based on their Gardinia and Emerald, formerly available in this product line at around 20$/quart. Rustoleum support was sorry to disappoint me with this news and offered a water-based door and trim as an option for replacement. I did not mention this was for a boat, their boat paints comes in limited colors and cost more and are not as readily available locally.

I am wrestling with having to spend more just to get the same type and colors from other vendors, don't have firsthand knowledge of ease of use or durability of any other 'boat' paints, so I am looking for suggestions from this illustrious group. I saw the review on Practical Sailor and understand that the polyurethanes are considered more durable than alkyds. I am hoping I can achieve a decent finish on the boat without spending more on paint than I did on top shelf marine ply...but maybe my view is way off on this.

Helmsman spar urethane as varnish is still available but I have heard there are better things out there (so in this case, urethane is not better ?!?) I try to limit brightwork but there are occasions where I want to see and feel the woodwork, like galley cabinets and the floorboards of the new dinghy, that needs painting as well.

Thanks for you thoughts!

[Captain Kidd]

I have always used Glidden (which is oil-based) and Helmsman on my boats which live on trailers. Very satisfied with the results. I've never left my boats in the water for more than a couple days though.

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[Spot]

Thanks Dale!

What say the rest of Ye?

PS-One of my buddies offered these suggestions via SMS:

-Rust-oleum Porch and floor
-Interlux Brightside (Toplac?)
-Awlgrip, great but expensive
-Have wanted to try Epifanes

[Chris Muthig]

On my Siren, I used Interlux Brightsides, a one part polyeurethane.  I used a very dark blue below the waterline, sprayed it with a harbor freight cup gun, and the finish came out phenomenal, super shiny, and laid flat with no drips.  I used medium blue (kindof a sky blue) above the waterline, same result except for the shiny part, it seemed to look a little more matte.  I used the same paint in white for the topsides, nice and shiny, and the same in medium blue again for the non slip areas.  I would use Interlux Brightsides again in a heartbeat.  It sprayed easily (and it was my first time). 

[Spot]

Thanks Chris!
The idea of spraying is appealing, other than not having a paint booth or suitable space. I am probably looking at a roll and tip at this point. My boss at work offered me use of the building for such projects, at this point even with the commute it would be the least work option compared to cleaning and heating the garage....

[Charles Brennan]

Spot, Chris (My son) speaks Truly.
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Note that the finish was done in his side yard, exposed to the elements.

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I used Interlux enamels (Dad, is Old-School) on Urchin for all the interior cabin work:
Interlux Hatteras off-white for cabin sides and Interlux Endeavor blue (no longer available) for the berths.
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Had Interlux Bilge-Cote gray enamel for the interior lockers and Interlux Interdeck Gray non-skid paint for
the cabin sole and Interlux Interdeck non-skid Squall Blue (no longer available) for the decks.
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So I tend to be kind of biased towards Interlux products.
It took a LOT of convincing by Charlie Jones for me to be sold on the merits of Petit EasyPoxy paints, but I used it when I re-painted the hull of Urchin in 2020-2021.
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Now, I'm a Big Believer and am using Petit EasyPoxy exclusively on the SCAMP project:
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(That is NOT spray; it's rolled on and tipped, with a foam brush. Watch the videos and follow the instructions religiously, and you can get some amazing finishes.)

For varnishes, I like to start out with Petit 1015 Captain's varnish on the first few coats because it penetrates the wood easily, sands well, and doesn't run too much. 
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(After first two coats.)
Then I switch over to Petit 2015 Flagship varnish for it's high builds and improved UV-inhibitors but use it sparingly, because it's Crazy Expensive. 
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(They're not as dark, as this pic makes them look.)

One guy's opinion,
Charles Brennan   

[Frank B.]

Thoughts on marine paint.  I believe it is one of the areas more money spent pays off in the long run.  For topsde and waterline up I always use catalyzed polyurethane.  I've used Dupont Imron but more recently Interlux Perfection.  Always sprayed, and always outside on a good weather day.  It will last far longer than gelcoat on a glass boat. Nothing comes close to it in terms of UV oxidation resistant.

Varnish, I've used everything including the two parts.  Results have been miserable.  I finally joined the Silkens Cetol camp, using Natural Teak, six coats three of color, three of clear and the results both look and endurance are wonderful.  It truly is a one coat a year overlay to keep going, five years now.  I didn't like the early look but the Natural Teak is very good.

Opinions on all of this will vary for sure.

[Chris Muthig]

Few more thoughts on Interlux Brightsides, I sprayed mine in South Florida without a paint booth, above grass full of every insect imaginable.  One of the things I really liked is that it was only tacky for a short time, eliminating the number of tiny lives lost.  Of course I did have to pick out a couple of bugs each time.  If I remember, I had to let it dry for around 4 hours before I could do a very light go-over with a vibrating sander (I still feel the vibrations, I went through 3 sanders working on that boat).  Then another coat.  I really did like that paint. 

[Riley Smith]

On the varnish front, I have used different things on the catboat over the years in the varnish category, and although urethane is much easier to apply, my brightwork gets exposed to the outside elements more frequently than say an interior application. It's going to get banged up; it's just a matter of time. And so do you want to do it more frequently or less? The answer to me was real varnish, and yes, that a helluva lot of work made more pleasant thinking of the days to come with the sun making her gleam. The Petit varnish I used last time was much easier on the pocketbook than the Interlux Captain's varnish and seems to be holding up as well. Besides, the aroma takes me to my happy place 

[Spot]

Thanks Everyone for the replies, they are greatly appreciated!