Surface Preparation and Priming – Wood Boats TopCoated with
Tamco Urethanes
Wooden boats seldom require any extensive filling or fairing. The following surface
preparation system is recommended for all but the most severe cases of deterioration on
a wooden boat.
If the paint on the boat is cracking, the seam will crack when painted with Tamco
Products! Tamco does not consider cracking over seams or miters a failure.
Surface Preparation & Priming:
1.The wood must be clean, dry, and well seasoned. Never paint wet or green
lumber. Painted wet or green lumber will blister. Sand the surface smooth with 80
to 100 grit paper.
2.Blow off the surface with clean, dry, compressed air while wiping with clean
rags to remove sanding dust and residue.
3.Apply a light coat of DTA Primer or HP-770 series High Build Marine Epoxy to
seams before applying a seam sealer. Allow Primer o to cure 12 to 24 hours.
DTA can cure up to 7 days if needed without sanding.
4.Fill seams with a high quality marine seam compound such as a polyurethane
Surface Preparation and Priming – Wood Boats TopCoated with Tamco Urethanes
polysulfide. This will move with the wood rather than crack and separate. On
boats with working seams, this flexing may cause some cracking. Allow the sealer
to thoroughly cure before proceeding.
5.Seal the wood with a light coat of either DTA or HP-770 series High Build
Marine Epoxy. See TDS sheets for mixing instructions
6.For the sealer coat, reduce the DTA 40% with HR 1300 series Reducers. Reduce
the HP-770 series High Build Marine Epoxy 50-70% with HR 1300 series
Reducers. Allow to cure 24-48 hours.
7. Apply Topcoat within 2-3 Days, or sanding may be required
Written by: Bob Barney
(800) 678- 1533 press #3