How to Apply Awl GripĀ® Paints

Awl GripĀ® is a popular paint brand for a variety of applications, but it is often usedĀ  forĀ  painting boats.Ā  In this guide,Ā  we cover the different options on how to Apply Awl GripĀ® and details to consider with some Awl GripĀ® products.


Brush and Roll Awl GripĀ® Paint

The simplest option to apply Awl GripĀ® is by using a brush and a roller.Ā  However, brushing and rolling Awl GripĀ® will not be as easy as spraying when it comes toĀ  achieving a perfectly smooth finish.Ā  Some Awl GripĀ® products are not recommended to be applied with a brushĀ  and roll method, so ensure you check the specific product’sĀ  datasheets for details. For rolling, a foam roller will typically be the easiest to achieve the smoothest possible finish from brushing and rolling.Ā  For brushing where needed, you will want to use a quality brush that is made of natural bristles for solvent-based Awl Grip products; for water-based, a synthetic blend brush will work well. If you will be brushing and rolling, some Awl GripĀ® products like Awl GripĀ® Topcoat have a specific thinner that helps provide even coating when being used.Ā  ForĀ  brushing and rolling, mild thinning can be used usually a maximum of 5 percent.


Spraying Awl GripĀ® Paint

For the smoothest finishes, spraying will provide the best results compared to brushing and rolling but you will have to do a bit more clean-up.Ā  You can spray many of theĀ  Awl GripĀ® PaintĀ  products with a gravity feed spray gun, but this will require more thinning than using a pressure feed spray gun.Ā  You can check out this guide for pressure vs gravity feed spray guns.Ā  Ā 


Spraying with a Gravity Feed Spray Gun

For gravity feed, we recommend a 1.8 mm or greater tip.Ā  To get a good breakup, you will want the material to easily flow from the gun when the trigger is pulled.Ā  The tip size that is ideal is at leastĀ  1.4 mm but usually flow is easier through a 1.8 mm tip.Ā  While the material can spray HVLP or Conventional, a conventional spray gun will be easier to atomize the material and yield a smoother finish.Ā  Thinning for gravity feed spraying can be up to 25 percent.Ā 


Spraying with a Pressure Feed Spray Gun

For pressure feed, a 1.4 or 1.8 mm tip will work well.Ā  Typically, you will want to use a conventional spray gun to ensure the best atomization.Ā  Thinning can help achieve a smooth finish usually 5 to 10 percent is sufficient.Ā  Pressure feed spraying will provide an easier breakup compared to Gravity.Ā 

Additional Considerations (Surface Prep, number of coats)


In addition to proper application equipment, proper surface preparation is critical for performance.Ā  The right application will dependĀ  on whether you’re applying the coat to a base coat Awl GripĀ® product like the Awl GripĀ® Epoxy orĀ  you’re applying aĀ  topcoat.Ā  For base coats, you will want to make sure the surface is properly cleaned of any rust or whether the wood is properly sanded.Ā  For steel, this would require sandblasting, for wood sanding, and for aluminum grinding or blasting can work.Ā  The base coat should be built up first with a tack coat followed by 1 to 2 additional coats of product. The individual tech sheet for each Awl GripĀ® product will have more info on the specific application details. ForĀ  topcoats, 3 coats or sufficient coats to provide hiding of the underlying base is recommended for spraying using a tack coat first then gradually building up the product.


Before applying Awl GripĀ® to the entire boat, start with a test area that is somewhat hidden to better dial in the spray gun settings and paint thickness so that you can ensure the results you will get are what you’re expecting.Ā 


After you have applied Awl GripĀ® Paint, you will want to provide sufficient time for the paint to dry. The individual tech data sheet on each product will provide exact times but most Awl GripĀ® Paints need 24 hours for a full cure.Ā 


Thinning Awl GripĀ® Paint

Thinning of Awl GripĀ® Paint should be done to the minimal amount needed in order to get smooth paint results.Ā  If you have to heavily thin the product, you mayĀ  need to consider changing equipment.Ā  Generally, a conventional spray gun will be easier to get a smooth finish compared to HVLP.Ā 


Popular outfits to spray Awl GripĀ® Paint

Binks 98C-357

Binks 98C-357 2100 Conventional Spray Gun with 2.8 Gallon Pressure Tank


2.8 GALLON PT CODED TANK, ZINC PLATED, WITH 2100ā„¢ SPRAY GUN

This 2.8 Gallon PT Coded Tank System is complete with:

  • 2100 spray gun w/63BSS fluid nozzle (.046) and 63PB air cap (pressure feed)
  • 2.8 gallon PT coded pressure tank with two regulators
  • 25 ft. fluid and air hose assemblies
  • 15 ft. air supply hose assembly

Includes:

  • 2101-2800-7 2100 GUNĀ 
  • 71-1203 AIR HOSE ASSY. (15')Ā 
  • 83C-220 PRESSURE TANK (2.8 GAL.)
Binks 98-1067

Binks 98-1067 Fluid & Hoses and 2 Quart Pressure Cup


The Binks 2 Quart Pressure Cup Assembly is suited for when you need a pressure outfit for spraying that is portable and uses smaller volumes of paint.Ā This outfit comes with 2 5 foot hoses which helps keep paint waste down especially with frequent coating changes or smaller coating volume. Ā It also comes with aĀ Binks 2100 Spray GunĀ with the set up that you would prefer. Ā TheĀ 2 Quart Pressure CupĀ comes with regulation for your fluid pressure and you control air pressure from your wall. Ā Some operators prefer it over a 2 Gallon Pressure Tank outfit because it is smaller. Ā This can be ideal when you are a smaller outfit and have smaller painting projects or value portability.

Binks 98-3156

Binks 98-3156 Trophy Air Spray Gun & 2.8 Gallon Zinc Plated Pressure Tank w/ Dual Regulated


2.8 GALLON PT CODED TANK, ZINC PLATED WITH TROPHY HVLP PRESSURE FEED GUN (FOR SOLVENT BASED MATERIALS)

98-3156 Binks Trophy HVLP Air Spray Gun Pressure Feed 2.8 Gal Pot Outfit. The Binks Trophy (98-3156) Pressure Feed Spray Gun & 2.8 Gallon Pot Outfit comes in 5 configurations perfect for everyone from craftsmen to production shops. Available in complete gun and cup systems and higher production outfits. Binks pioneered the development of liquid spray finishing technology over 100 years ago and continues to set the standard for industrial spray finishing. Today, one can find Binks spray finishing technology at work in virtually every industry around the world.

Patrick Harmon

July 07, 2021