From small project to big

[2knots]

Hey that looks pretty nifty. Turned out well. Would you mind sharing a little info on that product? Is it a textured, grippy finish? Similar to a rhino liner, or closer to a hard enamel type finish? Does it go over bare metal, or does it require a primer base? I plan on researching online, but experience  from an actual user is usually helpful.

Zolatone is the product (it’s kind of between a hard enamel and Rhino) and is used or has been on cars to line the trunk and aluminum boat builders use it in high wear areas. You can also apply a clear over it from zolatone that is supposed to make it harder to chip or scratch. Rhino liner is tougher IMO and has a course finish compared to the zolatone but it is easier to clean then Rhino. I guess I would describe the Finnish as more of a eggshell type, not slick with nonskid properties. It can be applied over bare metal or existing paint, both have to be sanded with 160 grit or more course sand paper. For bare aluminum you use an acid self etching primer, for what I was doing the automotive paint shop where I got the material had a 2 part epoxy primer that would also work on bare metal (same material Roger used on his boat last summer) but I did get some rattle cans of self etching primer just to use on the bare metal spots I had and then covered the whole area with the epoxy primer. The work is in the removal and prep, after doing it (thanks to Roger being here and guiding me) the primer and zolatone application was the easy part and it’s very forgiving so you don’t need to be an experienced spray guy IMO. If you decide to do it and need a hand let me know I’d be glad to come over and pay it forward.

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Alan did a phenomenal job in prepping this job. I know what he was feeling when he started to take this on. When you hit that point it becomes the "point of no going back" and pressing fwd having it ready for paint. Having a descent warm day helps with a breeze to keep the shop ventilated from paint fumes and getting a paint high, we did wear ventilators. I became a fan of using a pressure pot paint gun which helps force the paint thru nozzle, siphon guns are ok if your able to thin paint enough to spray. Alan had a pressure pot gun we dedicated to the epoxy primer and the one I have handled the zolatone coat.   

Well having someone to ask questions about the process sure made the comfort level go up, having a spotter and someone to help with keeping the gun loaded made a big difference