Highlights – the overview
Off to the painting hall we go, and Dione IV gets several layers of primer in preparation for our new Coppercoat anti-fouling bottom paint. The first primer layer is “battleship” gray and is applied directly following the grit blasting. They use some epoxy filler at the top edge of the grit blasted bottom and the lower edge of the hull paint to create a seamless and even transition. Next they apply primer layer 2, which is the protective layer. To our surprise, it’s red! Finally, the third primer layer, off white, is applied and the boat is moved into the next phase of the operation… the do-it-yourself hall, where we will be VERY busy for the next two weeks!
Read the Captain’s Log for more details and stay tuned for the next posts and progress!
Captain’s Log – the complete story
April 26th – gray (primer layer 1 and epoxy filler)
the boat has been moved from the grit blasting hall to a painting hall. Here, they will put some epoxy filler on the edge between the grit-blasted surface and the existing paint to make it a smooth transition. They will also add 2 more layers of primer.
Here’s a detail. The rough edge, right under the yellow tape, is filled with epoxy. After sanding, this will be a smooth transition between the old paint at the new paint.
Little girl looking at big boat 🙂
The centerboard already has 2 layers of primer. The last layer and the Coppercoat has to be done when the boat is hanging in the slings before launch.
They put some epoxy filler on the edges at the waterline and at some uneven spots under the waterline.
Over the weekend, this will cure and on Monday, they sand this filler. Then the boat will be ready for another layer of primer.
April 30th – red (primer layer 2)
In the early morning, we take a look. To our surprise, she’s red now! Yesterday, they have sprayed the second layer of primer. This is a thick layer. This is the actual protection of the hull. The first (gray) layer is the adhesion to the blasted steel, this red one is the main layer, and on top of that will be a layer for the adhesion of the Coppercoat (the anti fouling).
The yard boss (Yts) has just been measuring the layer. There should be at total 300um now (micro meter. = 0,3mm). He measures 347um so, that’s perfect. This red layer is 250um, sprayed in one step. With a brush or roller, you can reach only 50um in one step.
They have removed the rear support blocks so that they can spray there. Dione IV is resting on her forward support blocks. When the rear is fully cured, they will restore the rear support and remove the front blocks. Then, these small areas will be painted with a roller. It needs 5 layers with a roller to achieve the 250um.
May 1st – off white (primer layer 3)
Yesterday, they sprayed the last layer of primer, a light grey color. The so-called light primer. This is the intermediate layer between the heavy red primer and the Coppercoat.
They have moved the boat to another hall. This is the hall where we can do the paint works ourselves.
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