Interlux Primocon primer on Aluminum boat looks like orange peel

[Petedacook]

Hello,

I am applying Primocon primer to the sides of my flat bottom Jon Boat. I am focusing on the bare metal spots, and feathering the Primocon over the touching painted areas so not to have an abrupt line.

I am thinning with Brush EZE, and I have also not primed. I have used different levels of primer, applying thin coats, thick coats, etc. I am applying with a foam roller, brush as needed, and tiping with a foam "tomahawk."

No matter what I do the primer coat is coming out like an orange peel. The prepped surface was flat as glass, but after applying primocon, the surface visibly looks like an orange peel.

Is this normal? What do I need to do to get a shiny finish in the end?

Do I need to sand the Primocon before applying the pre-kote? I read that I don't need to sand between Primocon coats, but I have not been able to find any information on the Pre-Kote.

Thanks for any advice.

Pete

 

[Frey0357]

Hello Petedacook. Welcome! I would only be guessing how to fix the painted surface, which would include a series of dry/wet sanding and re-coating with additional paint. Pics would help the guys that can really help you to get to the right solution. Photobucket is a simple free way of getting pics and copy/paste them into your posts....

Frey

 

[classiccat]

I'm not sure what the source of your orange peel is however the fact that they recommend sandblasting aluminum is a little unsettling.

"BARE METAL: Surface should be blasted to bright metal. For steel surfaces, grit blasting is preferred. For aluminum or other light alloys, sandblast if possible or grind with medium coarse grade (grit) emery cloth. Remove all blasting/grinding/sanding residues with a clean air line and sweep with a clean brush or broom. (Vacuum clean for best results.) Do not wipe with cloth rages after blasting or sanding as fibers may be pulled out and protrude through the primer coats."

 

[Petedacook]

No Title

OK........I've got some pics and an update. I was not able to diffuse the Primocon situation. It orange peeled everywhere.

I put 3-4 coats on, altering thinner amount, to no avail. I shook my head and moved on to Interlux Pre-Kote. I did 1/2 the boat with a roller. I achieved the same orange peel results. Is witched to rolling, then brushing with a paint dipped brush. I received much better results going over the rolled are with a wet brush, but still a noticeable orange peel, uneven coat.

Next day: I started to do the roller/brush method, but stopped mainly because I was not happy with how laborious it was, and the results were not stellar which is what I am after. I bought a sprayer from Harbor Freight about 2 weeks ago for 15 bucks. I planned to return it, but I figured WTF, I'm out $15 if it doesn't work. I Loaded it with the little paint I had mixed in the mixing jar, sprayed a little, and low and behold, the spectacular results I was looking for. It went on smooth, shiny, and filled those orange peel trails left by the Primocon and roller.

Now, onto some pics. I did not capture any pics of the side I sprayed. As you may be able to tell, I don't have much room to work in.

I will upload photos of the sprayed area soon.

The stuff you see in the paint in the pics that looks like lint, is not foreign matter. I could rub the area with my finger and those lint looking marks would dissolve. For the record, i tried pre-claning the surface with acetone, and brushing liquid 333. Neither improved, nor degraded the results.

Thanks all,

Pete