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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Jan 2005
    Location
    sydney
    Posts
    26

    Default Questions on using Aquacoat.

    Hi, having never used Aquacoat I have a few questions on applying it.

    1. The instructions don't mention how long it takes to dry or how long between coats. How long is drying time and reapplication time?

    2. How long it too long to wait between coats? I.e. Without having to sand again?

    3. Use of masking tape? Is it ok to use masking tape and leave the same tape on for all 3 coats? Or should I be taking off the tape after each coat and putting on more tape once that coat is dry?

    4. Can I do three coats in 3 days leaving the same tape on for all that time?

    mike

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  3. #2
    Join Date
    Apr 2008
    Location
    Tuross Head, South Coast, NSW
    Age
    77
    Posts
    155

  4. #3
    Join Date
    Jan 2005
    Location
    sydney
    Posts
    26

    Default

    "At least two coats will be required to ensure even application. A third coat enhances the gloss level, particularly with clear coatings. Subsequent coats may be applied up to 4 hours after the previous one has dried. If longer time has elapsed, or if a very smooth finish is desired, sand the surface between coats with very fine paper, 240 grit or finer.

    Aquacote coatings harden gradually over several days. Allow at least 4 days prior to placing the finished job into full service. Be warned! This coating is very hard to sand after it is fully cured."

    Upto 4 hours after the previous one has dried..... Yeah but how long does that take. Ballpark would do... 12hrs? 2hours?

    i'll call them up. It would be nice to put it on the instructions though. It was THAT expensive I don't want to mess it up and I don't want to sand anymore than I have to.

    Mike

  5. #4
    Join Date
    Apr 2008
    Location
    Tuross Head, South Coast, NSW
    Age
    77
    Posts
    155

    Default

    I have used clear Aquacote to protect the epoxy on a dozen kayaks and I have probably been working in similar temperatures to those you will encounter.

    My experience has been that a coat dries in less than half an hour in the temperatures that I find work best.

    I have been able to get a better finish on my more recent kayaks as I have become more familiar with the product. I get much better results if I apply the Aquacote early in the morning when the temperature is still fairly low and the humidity is a bit higher.

    Delaying the drying time is an important part of getting a good finish. I find that temperatures much above 20 don't allow time for the Aquacote to level. Just under 20 works well for me.

    Another technique that helps give a smooth finish is to apply a couple of coats without thinning and then a few more coats with progressively more water added. The Sydney agents for Bote Cote say that the last coats can be thinned with as much as 50% water. By the time you get to thinning that much, you are just smoothing the surface of the earlier, thicker protective coats.

    A coat of Aquacote will dry in much less than half an hour in warmer temperatures, but is not desirable as the surface doesn't have time to level out.

  6. #5
    Join Date
    Jan 2005
    Location
    sydney
    Posts
    26

    Default

    Thanks so much for that reply. Exactly the info i was looking for. I guess i'll paint at night or early morning.

    Do you think I can do 3 or 4 coats while leaving the same masking tape on? The tape would be on for about 6 hours???

    FYI, i don't need too much protection as it's already sealed with epoxy and then painted/fair'ed using the hi-build primer.
    (largely hand sanded.... hence i am sooooo sick of sanding)


    mike

  7. #6
    Join Date
    Apr 2008
    Location
    Tuross Head, South Coast, NSW
    Age
    77
    Posts
    155

    Default

    The protection I was referring to on my kayaks is protecting the epoxy from UV light. It sounds as if you are not using the clear Aguacote that I use.

    I have never used it in conjunction with masking tape, so I can't help with that except to suggest that it would only take a few minutes to set up a very small test piece. If you can't get a definite answer to that question, put a couple of bits of masking tape on a small piece of scrap material, apply a number of coats and remove the bits of tape after different times.

    Surely someone has used the product with masking tape.

    Be careful applying late at night if the temperature is very low. I suspect that if the temperature was low enough, that it might take so long to dry that you might have trouble with runs. It should not be that low yet at night in Sydney unless there is a cold snap.

  8. #7
    Join Date
    Dec 2004
    Location
    Rushworth, Victoria
    Posts
    381

    Default

    I sprayed three coats on with the same tape, all in the same day though and the tape came away fine. If you are spraying be very careful with air pressure as I got a very rough finish but otherwise the paint seems quite good. A very particular product that takes a lot of use to become familiar. Doing it again I'd try roll and tip as I've heard good reports. Thinning with water prolongs drying but can induce runs.
    BTW when using tape start with a brand new roll out of packaging and keep it in a plastic bag so edge of tape doesn't pick up dust, makes for quite a good edge.
    "World's oldest kid"

  9. #8
    Join Date
    Jan 2005
    Location
    sydney
    Posts
    26

    Default

    Thanks gents. Used the roll and tip method. Each coat was dry in approx an hour. Got the three coats done in about 6hrs. Tape came off well. Had to cut witha knife in a few places. Pulled a tiny bit of paint off ina few places.

  10. #9
    Join Date
    Dec 2004
    Location
    Rushworth, Victoria
    Posts
    381

    Default

    Sounds like you're pretty happy Mike. When you roll/tipped what sort of roller did you use and which brush? Did you just roll a small section then tip it? Did you thin the paint at all? How would you rate the finish, a five foot job or twenty foot?
    thanks
    "World's oldest kid"

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