Today's focus was to scuff the hull topsides for another application of Alexseal finish primer, as well as getting primer on the hatches - the cockpit seat hatches and the companionway slide hatch. Arriving at the shop, I moved some supplies into the shop, and just in time as the Florida afternoon thunderstorms are now in their afternoon cycle. A heavy rain was soon began to fall, I then moved out beneath the pole barn and was immediately greeted with a flash and deafening report of thunder...more of a electric explosion, if you have had the privilege of such tropical weather. I returned to the safety of the shop and its four walls!

While waiting out the short-duration deluge, I flipped the drop boards and companionway trim for a thinned coat of varnish on the backside, sealing these brightwork pieces. I then moved on to gathering supplies needed to continue priming Biscuit's topsides, and then made my way over to the paint booth.

My first task was to scuff up the previously applied primer, and I did this with 150-grit paper. I worked my way around the [lowered] waterline and then finished the job with sanding the balance of the hull's surface. i removed the sanding detritus and followed with a solvent-wash to prep for the primer paint. With the hull prepped, I returned to the shop to mix the two-part finish primer and procure some additional items needed for the paint session. At this time I also moved the hatches (cockpit seat hatches and the companionway hatch) over to the paint booth and positioned them for painting. A final wipe down with acetone and I was ready to begin the primer application.

I worked my way from transom, down the starboard aft quarter and forward, and then transitioned to the port forward quarter, finishing at the port aft quarter. When the topsides were finished, I then moved on to the hatches and applied a first primer coat. A few pinholes revealed themselves in this first coat, as is often the case, so I'll address with a fairing application during my next working session. The Alexseal primer went on perfectly - my marine coating of choice - and look forward to the fourth and then final coat prior to applying the finish paint.

Total hrs: 2.5