Flatting Agent,,,

Discussions about Cape Dory, Intrepid and Robinhood sailboats and how we use them. Got questions? Have answers? Provide them here.

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Larry Austin

Flatting Agent,,,

Post by Larry Austin »

I've read some old threads about non-skid (on this board) and have read that one might add "Flatting Agent" to the topside paint to tone down the gloss. My Question??? Where do you find "Flatting Agent"? I have looked in the West and Boat Catalogs. Is it called "Flatting Agent" when I go look for it?

Any tips on adding the Flat Agent?

Cheers

Larry Austin
CD30MKII
LAYLA

PS. The paint is Pettit Easypoxy One-Part



laustin@us.ibm.com
John

Re: Flatting Agent,,,

Post by John »

I used a flattening agent on a spray painting project some time ago. I purchased it from an auto body paint and supply outlet (along with the paint). I don't recall any special instructions for using it - it's translucent and mixes right into the paint. The more you mix in the flatter the paint dries. Good luck.
Bill Bloxham

Re: Petit Flatting Agent,,,

Post by Bill Bloxham »

Hey Larry...

I had the same concern about glare. I'm extremely sensitive to sunlight, and I don't beleive my polarized sunglasses help with deck reflections.
I used Petit flattening agent when I Easypoxyed my Ty deck areas in '97. The paint on the deck (Off White) had lost it's warm rich color and was looking like Old Unloved Gelcoat after two years. Topsides were still bright, shiney and capable of reflection.
I had a few deck accidents, moved a lot of hardware and decided to repaint in 2000 with the same colors and no flattener.
Should have done this the first time.
Paint's holding up very well. Glare is amazingly tolerable for a painted surface. Abrasion resistance is higher then the flattened paint.
One caution. The Easypoxy seemed to take 4 to 6 weeks to harden. In the first week or two after the paint was easy to damage. I could make marks with my fingernails a month after I painted. After the Easypoxy set up, though, it has become very tough. Sunlight is the best oven.
I keep my Ty in central NJ.
I found that prep is 99% of the job. Easypoxy goes on with little fuss, and with the Roll & Tip method I got very good results. I would advise you to keep the boat out of the sunlight as you paint. I did my best work at 7:30 on spring mornings before the sun crept over my roofline. And I think the thinning instructions are a bit too liberal for my area. Vertical runs will happen too easly; try using a almost dry thin foam roller (WEST yellow foam cut to 3")dried out on a old plywood sheet before you do a vertical surface.
Easypoxy is great paint; I would reommend it to anyone.
Consider this: 90-98% of any good painting job is prepation. If you do a good job in prep, the paint is most likely 5-10% of your labor. If you use Easypoxy and get 5 years as opposed to 7-8 years with Awlgrip, you have spent 15% of the paint cost and have gotten, oh say, 70% ot the life. A repaint 4 or 5 years later brings your cost to 30% with a greater life, and the second coat prep time is minimal.
I love Easypoxy.
Email me if you have any questions. Mmmmmmbill@earthlink.net
By the way, I spent much more on sandpaper and West system stuff then I did on paint. Much much more.
Fair Winds
Bill



mmmmmmbill@earthlink.net
Larry Austin

Thanks for the info,,,

Post by Larry Austin »

,,,I went to West and asked for Flatting Agent and they had it. Thanks again to both of you for the tips and info.

Cheers

Larry Austin
CD30MKII
LAYLA



laustin@us.ibm.com
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