I plan on doing a little more than just pinstripes. What I was envisioning was a pattern similar to the one on the Redfish website, which is like two ribbons winding their way down the deck. The colors are going to be a metallic brown and wine color, so keeping them "vibrant" by not going under the varnish may not be an issue. I think a test panel is in order with all variations of paint layers.

I'll post a photo and report when I am done

Thanks everyone

Dan

If you put your paint over the epoxy then it will protect the epoxy from UV
: exposure. If you put it over the epoxy and the varnish then it will have
: the most vibrant color. Putting varnish over paint tends to give the paint
: a yellow tinge.

: Oil based varnishes stick to epoxy very nicely. Boat deck paints and enamels
: and oil based enamels also bond nicely to the epoxy and/or the varnish.

: You have to assume that at some time in the future you may need to touch up
: the lines, no matter what level they are applied. Accept this as routine
: maintenance.

: Personally, I'd put the paint on last. It would be bonding to the varnish,
: which should be fine, and it would help to protect the epoxy. It owuld
: also look nice and bright, and if it got scratched or dinged I could
: easily touch it up.

: If you are thinking of stripes, though, why bother with paint? Automotive
: stores have thin decorative strips which are applied like tape, and which
: look like fancy pinstriping. The cost is reasonable, the stuff is durable,
: it resists UV damage, it can be removed, repaired or replaced easily, and
: people who have used it say that it holds up. You might want to look at
: this before you buy your paint.

: NAPA has 1/4 inch and 1/8th inch pinstripe tapes for under US$2.50 for a 36
: foot roll. That is a lot cheaper than a pint of paint.

: Here is a VERY LONG URL to their website:
: http://www.napaonline.com/cgi-bin/ncommerce3/ExecMacro/NAPAonline/search_results_kw.d2w/report?CATALOG=&org_string=pinstripe&search_string=Pinstripe
: %20Kit&MAKE_ID=&MODEL_ID=&YEAR_ID=&ENG_ID=&ENG_VIN_ID=&SUBMODEL_ID=&BODY_STYLE_ID=&TRANSMISSION_ID=&BRAKE_SYSTEM_ID=&DRIVE_TRAIN_ID=&ENG_ASP_ID=&ENG_FUEL_DELIV_ID=&ENG_FUEL_ID=&STEERING_ID=&SUSPENSION_ID=&START=11&sort_flag=&lookup=NONAPP

: Hope this helps

: PGJ