I cut some corners here just to get out in the water. As a result, I'm going to have to redo several things this winter.

First, I'd be inclined to say I didn't let things blush enough. Not that it ever did it to such a degree I could visibly see it either. In any case, the paint I put on the hull is pretty durn easy to scratch off.

For paint, I passed on the marine paint. Expensive, and my kayak isn't sitting in the water for months on end. I used Bear's acrylic latex paint. Which normally wears rather well. Except on non-primered and apparently still blushing epoxy. I went with a flat finish, which also means it mars extremely easily. I like the color, but next time I think I'd rather go with say the porch paint or perhaps the industrial acrylic. I like this over the marine paints in that Home Depot will mix it up to whatever shade I want.

I painted, taped and then varnished. This may not have been my best idea, especially with a latex paint. I didn't realize that varnish will slowly run many hours after it's been applied. So I've got lots of varnish dribbles that extend right down past the masking tape. It doesn't look that bad, but it also doesn't look that good. The varnish is also showing some charming orange peeling in areas that took weeks to show up. I don't know if that's because of blush or what. I can say that the first layer of varnish looked the best though. All subsequent layers are of a lower quality appearance.

I'd probably still do the job in the same order, but next time I'll put a skirt around the boat, not just a band of masking tape.

> I'm building a CLC Chesapeake 17 from plans and I'm getting close
> to the dreaded painting and finishing stage. I'd like as many pointers,
> ideas, words of wisdom as possible before I begin as I realize that
> the aesthetic result of this project will depend a lot on the finish.
> I'm currently thinking of painting the bottom and top edge of the
> hull with a one part polyurethane paint. I saw a job done with Petit
> and it looked excellent. Interlux Brightsides is mentioned as a good
> choice by CLC. I'm planning to varnish the rest of the deck. I plan
> on putting two coats of clear epoxy on the deck. The hull is glassed
> and epoxied. I'm thinking of running a strip of fiberglass tape along
> the junction of the hull and deck in order to increase the strength
> of the attachment and also as a protection from dings. I'll be doing
> this job outside. Further details elude me..for instance, should I
> paint or varnish first?

> thanks for any help.