My aft hatch is just about done with lots of layer of varnish over it, pretty :)
I’ve discovered a new way of painting, however it’s quite complicated. It doesn’t involve compressors, spray guns, or rollers. My new painting method uses something called a paintbrush. Rolling and tipping is a good method but without a retardant for the paint rollers are out of the question. Rollers and trays are also expensive.
I’ve found a 2-part epoxy paint (not good UV) I’m calling a “primer” and brushing my 2-part polyurethane (good UV protection) over it. The polyurethane dries fast but with a brush I can manage to get it on quickly and cover large areas.
Spraying involves so many variables, wind & setup time being the biggest issues for me. I’ll spray the hull, but for everything else I like my new painting philosophy. With my new method I can easily paint in-between squalls if my work 
surface is dry and the best thing is the paint is bulletproof. The epoxy paint goes on thick and dries hard as nails, not a sissy spray coat. I put the 2-part poly on thick with a brush and once both layers are dry I have a thick, tough, ultraviolet protected, beautiful, white surface. I’m going to use regular epoxy for my non-skid with local sand from Linton Island, I’m going for an aggressive finish. I’ll brush a thin layer or two of polyurethane over it to make it white. I think this method will give me the most durable non-skid surface I can have. I can do it quickly and get sailing in March.
Truthfully I prefer seeing brush strokes in my paint to orange peel or runs. It makes Splendid look like the old classic she is. It also makes repairs super easy, and I’m not sweating the fairing. I’m estimating I’ll be laying on paint about 70% faster now I’m PSYCHED!
I’m also taking out all the screws from the deck with a plug cutter and refilling the holes with an epoxy/cabosil mix. Some rocket scientist ground all the screw heads off as opposed to taking them out, arrrggggg! Why to people do shit like that?
I’ll have a video up in the next few days. I’ve already sent it in to my buddy but there is some configuring to be done on the server side. Youtube was so easy before they made all the time restrictions, not so good for me.
I have a friend/family coming on the 31st. we are going to drive around Panama for a week. It will be nice to get away from paint, epoxy, and sandpaper for a bit.
Peace, Love, and painting like a madman!
alex