PREPARATION OF FIBERGLASS ABOVE THE WATERLINE

Cleaning

Start by cleaning the fiberglass surface with warm soapy water in order to remove all water-soluble dirt. After drying, degrease with Epifanes Fiberglass Prep Cleaner to remove all wax residues.

Filling

Fill small irregularities above the waterline with Epifanes Fiberglass Filler. Larger repairs can be filled with Epifanes Epoxy Filler. Sand inside cracks and scratches before filling to give the surface a key for better mechanical bonding. Immediately after the filler has dried, sand with 320 dry abrasive paper, degrease with Epifanes Fiberglass Prep Cleaner and apply a 15% thinned primer or topcoat. This thinned sealer coat will prevent absorption of moisture or topcoats into the filler. After drying of the sealer coat, sand the area(s) with 320 dry abrasive paper.

Sanding

After cleaning, sand with 320 dry abrasive and degrease once more with Epifanes Fiberglass Prep Cleaner.

Epifanes Mono-urethane and Poly-urethane Yacht Paint may be applied directly on well degreased and sanded fiberglass without the use of a primer. However if fiberglass is showing small cracks and irregularities or a filler has been used,it is recommended to first apply a primer coat before top coating. A primer is required when using Epifanes Yacht Enamel as a topcoat.

 

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ONE-COMPONENT PAINT SYSTEM ON FIBERGLASS

 

                                    Step 1                                                                   Step 2

               

                                    Epifanes Multi Marine Primer                               Epifanes Mono-urethane Yacht Paint

Number of coats         1                                                                            3

              Thinner         5-10%                                                                    0-5%

       Drying Time        18 hours                                                                 24 hours

  Abrasive Paper         220 - dry                                                               400 - wet

                 Notes         Not necessary if gelcoat is intact                          Thin first coat by 5 - 10%

 

TWO-COMPONENT PAINT SYSTEM ON FIBERGLASS

 

                                   Step 1                                                                    Step 2

                                   Epifanes Poly-urethane Primer                              Epifanes Poly-urethane Yacht Coating

    

Number of coats        1                                                                             3

              Thinner        5-10%                                                                     0-5%

       Drying Time        6 hours                                                                   24 hours

  Abrasive paper        220 - dry                                                                 400 - wet

                 Notes       Not necessary if gelcoat is intact                            Thin first coat by 5-10%.
                                                                                                                 Within 48 hours without sanding.
                                                                                                                 After 48 hours always sand.

 

MAINTENANCE OF PREVIOUSLY PAINTED FIBERGLASS

In order to keep a paint system in good condition, the system needs to be maintained from time to time by applying one or more maintenance coats. If the existing paint work is still intact and only shows discolouration or loss of gloss, degrease the surface with Epifanes Spray thinner for Paint & Varnish, sand with 220 dry and apply one or more maintenance coats. Lifting or damaged paint must be removed completely and replaced by a new paint system including primer coats.

After degreasing and sanding, Epifanes one component topcoats can be applied on almost all existing paint systems regardless of brand. The one-component topcoat is also suited for top coating two-component poly-urethane paint systems.

After degreasing and sanding, Epifanes Polyurethane Yacht Coating may be applied on existing poly-urethane or epoxy based systems regardless of brand.