Paint Shop Project Update

By Andrew Spaulding

Beneteau Oceanis 45 with AwlGrip 545 primer going on the hull

It is time once again to update you on the progress we’ve made on our Beneteau Oceanis 45 paint job. In November, we answered some reader questions about the project and now I’d like to update you on the job progress.

The first picture shows the gelcoat being sprayed with AwlGrip 545 primer which is the gray going over the white. The second step, seen in the second picture, is painting the boat with AwlGrip high build primer which is beige.

Beneteau Oceanis 45 with AwlGrip high build primer going on the hull

Strictly speaking, applying 545 primer to the hull, before applying the high build primer isn’t necessary. The high build primer is thick and therefore doesn’t do a good job of filling the pin holes, so the 545 primer allows us to ensure all imperfections are filled. The initial layer of 545 primer also helps seal the gelcoat and Awlgrip suggests this method to achieve the best results with the high build primer.

We use the high build primer to fill in larger hull imperfections and scratches. High build primer is named particularly well since its job is to build up a thick layer on the hull that is sanded to remove evidence of any defects, scratches or dings from the hull. This job could be done with many coats of the 545 primer, but as the name implies, high build primer gets the job done in fewer coats.

Beneteau Oceanis 45 in AwlGrip high build primer ready for sanding

We sanded the whole hull fair with 150 grit sand paper. Once that was done, we sprayed the hull with 3 more coats of the 545 primer. This final layer of primer gets sanded in preparation to spray on the topcoat of Awlgrip paint.