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Finishing the dead-work with enamel is the final step in the painting cycle of your boat.There is always little talk about enamels and undercoats so we thought we’d delve into the subject with the technical department of Veneziani Yachting, a company with more than 150 years of history behind it and solid know-how on the subject.
WHAT IS AN UNDERCOAT?
Underglaze (or undercoat) can be considered a close relative of enamel in that it consists of the same components but favors fillers and pigments over the binder. So similar that in some cases it is used as an interior finish when a matte surface is required. The job of an undercoat is to give more protection to the surface and even out the color tone while avoiding halos that might form at grouted areas. It also allows any surface defects to be highlighted, making it easier to eliminate them before applying the glaze. Undercoat should be applied to the cleaned and sanded surface or properly protected by a primer coat. Compared with the topcoat, the film formed by the undercoat will be applicable at higher thicknesses, have better coverage, and be easily sandable. No less important aspect is the economic one: undercoating manages to minimize the amount of finish to be applied and for the same thickness has significantly lower costs. Undercoat and topcoat when applied close together (especially for polyurethanes) create a single body with greater strength than a single topcoat.
WHICH ONE TO USE?
In preparing the surface that is to receive the finish, after applying the grout and waterproofing product, careful consideration should be given to the application of the most suitable undercoat. For wood, gelcoat and metal surfaces we will need a product with high chemical resistance, surface hardness, barrier effect and excellent surface sandability (sanding with No. 320-400 sandpaper is recommended to obtain a perfectly smooth surface before proceeding with the application of the enamel). Veneziani Yachting offers Epoway, while if you are looking for a product for high-performance cycles there is Polygoal two-component polyacrylic undercoat, whose high thickness allows it to close microporosity in the existing cycle.
THE APPLICATION OF THE GLAZE
And so we come to the final stage of your boat’s painting cycle. The applied film must provide mechanical and chemical resistance to weathering while enhancing its aesthetics through its relaxation and glossiness. You can also choose a one-component cycle or a two-component cycle for the glaze. Single-component cycles are the traditional choice for wood substrates, easy to use and maintain; however, their quality and durability is not equal to that of two-component products (such as Gel Gloss Pro). Two-component cycles ensure an excellent result from the point of view of both aesthetics (gloss, durability, etc.) and resistance to weathering (UV and salt irradiation) and mechanical abrasion, but they require more effort and shrewdness in the processing stage. After grouting and smoothing the surfaces, applying a protective primer and possibly a more suitable undercoat, we come to the application of the glaze.
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