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What Kind of Foam Brush and Rollers Do I Need to Use With Two-Part Polyurethane Paints?

Two-part polyurethane paint is primarily used for painting boat topsides. The paint is durable, provides a glossy finish and lasts for between five and 10 years. Two-part polyurethane paint is toxic when applied with a sprayer, so nonprofessionals must apply it with a roller and brush. The roll-and-tip method of painting provides the most even and attractive finish. Roll paint on with the roller, and then follow with the brush to ensure a smooth finish.
  1. Rollers

    • The Philadelphia Chapter of the Antique and Classic Boat Society recommends using a solvent-resistant, high-density, closed-cell foam roller with a phenolic core and one-eighth-inch nap. High-density closed-cell foam is harder and less porous than open-cell foam. This denser material has fewer air pockets, which means fewer bubbles and a less stippled paint layer. Solvent resistance is critical for use on fiberglass. The foam surrounds a phenolic resin-coated fiberboard, giving it added durability for use with industrial compounds.

    Brush

    • Hair brushes, as opposed to foam, are required to produce a smooth, glossy finish and remove any stippling or bubbling left behind by the roller. China-bristle brushes are recommended for use with two-part polyurethane. They are made from the hair of Chinese boars, are inexpensive and durable. Badger-hair brushes are also used for boat painting. They are more expensive and harder to find. Look for badger-hair brushes in art supply stores.

    Painting Test Panels

    • Two-part polyurethane paint can be difficult to work with. Sailing enthusiasts at Sailingmate.com, a website dedicated to the maintenance and repair of sailboats, recommend testing your paint, rollers, brushes and technique on panes of glass before you paint your boat. Not all rollers and brushes are compatible with the solvents used in two-part polyurethane paint and may break down as you use them. In addition, the paint is sensitive to both temperature and humidity. You need to add paint thinner to the paint to get the right consistency, but the amount depends on your climate and the weather. Painting test panels helps you determine the right paint-and-thinner mix for painting your boat, as well as ensuring that you have purchased the right brushes and rollers.

    Preparing to Paint

    • Preparation is critical for achieving a smooth, glossy paint job. Two-part polyurethane paint can magnify imperfections on a hastily prepared hull. Thoroughly sand wooden hulls, and apply a coat of primer. Sand again, and reapply primer; repeat until the hull is completely smooth. When the hull is smooth, you can apply paint. Fiberglass hulls require a coat of epoxy primer designed to bond with the slick surface of the hull. Repeat priming and painting until the surface is smooth. Once the hull is smooth, wipe the boat down with thinner prior to painting.