Acetone Instead of 202 Solvent Wash

[Jim1945]

I'm going to paint my TY deck this year with Pettit EasyPoxy. For the solvent wash cleaning is acetone an acceptable alternative to using Interlux 202 Solvent Wash? I notice on the West Marine site that the price of 202 is $30/quart. Jamestown distributors has it at $19/quart but I want to paint tomorrow and didn't realize the price was so high at West. There is a West Marine locally. I remember it being more like the JD price the last time I bought it at West.

Thanks for any help on this.

[tjr818]

Have you tried calling Petit? I wouldn't want to screw up a paint job just to save $30-40. Acetone is quite a bit different than 202.

[Jim1945]

Have you tried calling Petit? I wouldn't want to screw up a paint job just to save $30-40. Acetone is quite a bit different than 202.

They may be different but I think the effect would be the same, i.e., make the surface clean and free of contaminants and oil/mold release. Acetone is used as a wipe before you apply polyester resin to a surface when fiberglassing something and also used on teak to eliminate the wood's oil before applying varnish . The surface has been sanded but I realize that doesn't eliminate mold release. I think Pettit has a similar product to the 202 and I'm sure they would say to use that.
I doubt the job would be totally screwed up. If anything maybe a slight difference in adhesion.

[Jim Walsh]

I don't know anything about "202" or its similarity to acetone but I normally read the ingredients of the expensive stuff to determine if they have merely taken a common ingredient and given it a flashy brand name to justify charging an exorbitant price. If in doubt I pay the premium price.

[Steve Bryant]

Hi Jim,

If you go to the Pettit website, it recommends their Pettit 120 Brushing Thinner be used as both a thinner and a cleaner with the Pettit Easypoxy paint. Not much different in price from the Interlux 202, but I would certainly use the recommended Pettit product over the Interlux with a Pettit paint product. You're on your own with acetone.

Here's a link to the Pettit site. Click on Easypoxy Product Data Sheet:

http://pettitpaint.com/product.asp?id=45


Good Luck,

[Jim1945]

Found I had enough of the 202 from last year. So moot point at this time. But the original question was if anyone had used an alternative and found performance acceptable. I already knew the answer that says use what is recommended.

But in researching the issue there seem to be alternatives to boat paint companies recommendation. We do have to remember that these companies are in business to make money and they are going to want you to buy what they sell even though there may be a good "non-marine" alternative.

[Steve Laume]

But in researching the issue there seem to be alternatives to boat paint companies recommendation. We do have to remember that these companies are in business to make money and they are going to want you to buy what they sell even though there may be a good "non-marine" alternative.

I spoke to a Pettit Rep about their zinc prop coating, this spring, while at our marina sale. I told him I had tried it and then discovered it was exactly the same as the hardware store cold galvanizing compound, except for the vast differential in price. He just got a really quirky look on his face and had no comment. He never tried to convince me that the Pettit product was better or different in any way. Companies are in the business of selling their products. In the marine industry, those products command a high price and we are lead to believe that if we don't buy those specifically recommended then they may not work.

Don't even get me started on the price of Universal engine parts vs Kabota for the exact same thing, Steve.

[John #126]

I just went through this same discussion with my paint guru, a pro with many years experience. He uses naptha instead of the 202 wash and gets excellent results. You must use the 2-rag method to remove any residue.
The consensus here and on other forums is to stick with the manufacturer's recommended thinner, regardless of price. Not worth a do-over if what you use causes the finish to fail.
John

[tjr818]

...The consensus here and on other forums is to stick with the manufacturer's recommended thinner, regardless of price. Not worth a do-over if what you use causes the finish to fail. John

If for no other reason, for any kind of warranty claim, it would be nice to have the right receipts.