Paint touchup question

[Docrockit]

My boat is on the hard now for 2 weeks while I do some fall maintenance. I have several areas on the hullsides that need filling and repainting. Some of these are screw holes but no areas larger than say 1 square foot.
Question. The hullsides are the standard hatteras offwhite. What can I use to touch up these areas of repair? Do I have to shoot Imron or are there others options? Can anything be hand brushed then wetsanded? What make or products have you used with some success? Has anyone used the little aerosol sprayers that you can get at West or Boaters World? Thanks for your input.

 

[Maynard Rupp]

I just bought a quart of each paint # in Imron from a Dupont automotive dealer. If you give them the Hatteras paint #, they will mix the paint and it will match perfectly. You will also need to buy the smallest can of catalyst they offer. I mix the paint 3 to 1 with the catalyst and use an artist brush for the touch up. If you have a slightly larger area use a good brush, sand between coats, apply 3 coats, then fine sand to 1500. Now use a fine rubbing compuund on a wheel and you won't be able to find your repair. Only mix as much Imron as you can use as it will catalyse and harden.

 

[the kuz]

Maynard, thanks. I will try your approach. I have been doing very small dings (artist brush) with Interlux Brightside single part poly (they offer 2 Hatteras off-whites, 3208 matches my 77 well). It does OK (nice shine and no brush strokes), but doesn't hold up as well as original Imron. Also, I CAN (up real close) see repairs. It will be worth it to get them right. This forum has so much good info. Thanks again. Regards, Bob K

 

[34Hatt]

A few more tips are on a older thread at http://www.samsmarine.com/forums/showthread.php?t=4300

 

[jzanni]

use the proper breathing apparatus when using Imron. It ain't good for the lungs

 

[34Hatt]

use the proper breathing apparatus when using Imron. It ain't good for the lungs

ALWAYS use it with any two part and even most one part paints NONE of it is any good for you. Better Safe then Sorry .

 

[Karl]

My boat had some scratches and dings from Wilma so I had my hull guy essentially fill them in and spray paint them. To match the paint we got a paint card from West Marine that had holes in each of the paint samples, so we could lay the card over my hull and match the closest color. I think there are really a few different hues of Hatteras white, you need to get the one that matches the closest, plus the original finish has weathered and changed color. I do believe he lightly wet sand papered the finished product because it was a little rough on the surface after the paint dried and was smooth when he finished.

That said, because of the sun bleaching the hull, you must expect a slightly different color once the job is finished, it's hard to get a perfect match and colors on the paint card come out a little different in reality. I put up with that since I didn't want to pay for painting the entire hull, at least not at this time, plus I think with some weathering, it will eventially blend in. This was completed in January and the job still looks very good.