Awlgrip

[Seadog]

Anybody use it?  I've sanded until my arms are ready to fall off. Trying to find out if the part to be painted needs to be perfectly fair. Is Awlgrip and or the primer forgiving at all?  Will it self level and fill in small deficits/depressions in the parts surface?  Thanks!

[Deck Daddy]

I have used it before on a friends boat, 2 part system. We sanded 120 then 220. Applied primer and then 3 coats of ice blue awlgrip, roll and tip method. Wet sanded between each coat, came out like a mirror. It is self leveling. But remember your top coat is only as good as your prep.

[Seadog]

Thanks! I'm sandin' with 120 now, 220 will be next. Did you use the 545 primer?

[Deck Daddy]

Yes we did, also used a reducer to slow up the dry time to let the paint level out. Good luck.

[Wilson]

It needs to be pretty DAMN close to perfect.  Everything shows up when you start to spray.

[Argo]

What kind of fairing.  I think I am using the right word here?!  Fairing is they stuff you use to fill small defects and smooth it out right?  What is the best kind to use for this?

[Wilson]

I like polyester stuff b/c I was gelcoating, but you can use epoxy based too.  Also with polyester you can sand in about 15 min. as opposed to 3 hours.

Where are you located?

[Deck Daddy]

I have had good luck with 3M marine premium filler. All the spots wher I had nicks and dings this stuff worked well and sands easy. Going on 5 years and still holding.

[Seadog]

I've been using System Three's 'Quik Fair'. Works pretty good on epoxy resin.  Lots easier to sand and fair out than the cabosil/epoxy I was using. Dries fast and can sand it in about 3-4 hours.

Probably be ok to count on all the surface deficits showing thru the final Awl-grip coat.  That just means more fairing but will be worth the extra work in the end.

[Deck Daddy]

Yep, a labor of love or insanity, you choose. I will go the epoxy route on my final boat, if I can ever choose one to be final. But you will like the out come of the Awlgrip thats for sure.