: Well, I'm ready to paint. I've pretty much decided on Interlux Brightsides
: but I'm getting contradictory messages on prep work. West System says
: scrub with water and use 220 grit. Interlux says use 80 grit and then a
: product called Epoxy Barrier-Kote. I like West System's advice but I
: wonder if disaster will ensue if I don't use the Barrier-Kote. Anybody
: have any advice on the subject?

Jon,

I've used exterior latex on two kayaks. It is very durable, looks good and it is relatively cheap. I used a good latex primer, sanded that down a bit, and the effect was to hide some of my mistakes.

More telling than my experience, though, is that most wooden boat builders (not kayaks) apparently are now using latex. Check some boatbuilding sites like Jim Michalak's and MAIB.

Chris Luneski