How to tell, Imron or Awlgrip?

[Colwyn D]

I have some scrapes on the hullsides and would like to repair but how can I tell which paint was used. I have the original paperwork from Hatt that gives the Imron colour code but the boat has definetely been repainted in a lighter shade of off white. Any ideas?

 

[GJH]

I faced exactly the same issue a few years ago. If you have an automotive/industrial paint distributor like Finishmaster near by, they can often come over with a "camera" and get the color to match and determine the paint type. Of course, you need to buy the paint from them. When I have tried a different approach, I have never got an exact match.. sometimes very close and sometimes fairly obviously off.

 

[jim rosenthal]

That will be difficult- you want to know what is already on there, don't you- but either one will serve as a substrate for the other if completely cured, which I am sure it is. Doing a test area would be prudent, if you can arrange to.

 

[rrrestorer]

I really don't think anyone can tell you whats on the boat now. You can match the paint color in any paint companys' line whether it's Imron or Awlgrip, but the surfaces are best repaired by the same product, so, buy a pint or quart of whatever is around and try to blend it in with the rest of your boat. Use it where your scratches are, see what it looks like. If it doesn't blend in right, try another product, untill you are happy. Thats the product you want to do the big areas in, and use from now on.
All these great 2 component paints are great and compatible, but its easier to repair in the same paint companys' line.
In the scheme of things you need to find this information out anyways and thats how to do it. Once you have a good match AND compatible paint , you are set and can repair to your hearts content.
If you can find a large paint distributor that carries both lines it would be a bonus since if your color is off and the paint doesn't blend in smoothly you can try to mix it lighter or darker in the other companys' paint line.
Once you get it right stick with that companys' product all the way through thinners, primers, paint , etc. since they are designesd to work together. Their chemists are probably better than what you can mix up in your shed.
Hope this helps.

 

[MikeP]

Just an off-chance...have you checked all the boat's paperwork on board? Our 1980 53MY was repainted in 1995 by the PO and the Imron paint can labels (the brighter 1991 Hatt white paint and the beige boot stripe) they used were stapled onto 8.5x11 paper and inserted into the original owner's manual. Hopefully your PO did the same!

 

[rsmith]

Just an off-chance...have you checked all the boat's paperwork on board? Our 1980 53MY was repainted in 1995 by the PO and the Imron paint can labels (the brighter 1991 Hatt white paint and the beige boot stripe) they used were stapled onto 8.5x11 paper and inserted into the original owner's manual. Hopefully your PO did the same!

LOL very few PO's are Charlie Maltbie types.

 

[MikeP]

"LOL very few PO's are Charlie Maltbie types"

That's the primary reason we bought this 53 as opposed to several others at more "attractive" prices! - I have always done the same and document every thing I do/change and put it in the boat's log book. Good for the subsequent owner though I don't plan to sell the boat; my intent is to use it for our Viking-type funeral when the time comes.

 

[Colwyn D]

Thanks for all the replies. Mike, I have been all through the boats documents and they are extensive but no mention of the paint used when boat was overhauled in 1995. Your comment of the lighter shade of Imron white used might be a starting point, maybe this is what was used. I'll check. The original colour was, from memory, P1766U and when I have repaired other parts like the helm I come across a more yellow topcoat underneath. Do you know the paint code of the newer color?
If that doesn't work then I'll try the GJH suggestion and get a color match.

 

[MikeP]

Colwyn,

I'm afraid I don't remember the code number and I'm not on/near the boat where I could look at the paint labels in the book...