Paint & Varnish — Paint Protection
Apply Paint Protection (Awlcare / Polymer)
Deckhand⏱ 1–2 hrs
Routine paint protection is how you maintain gloss and protect the topcoat between repaint cycles. This is not polishing — it is applying a sacrificial protective layer that takes the UV, salt, and abrasion instead of the paint. Do it on schedule and you extend the life of the paint significantly. Miss it and the topcoat starts to oxidise, fade, and chalk.
Products Used
AW
Awlcare
Awlgrip
Paint protection and light cleaner
Specs, warnings & data sheets →
RO
Rokoat Yacht Paint & Protect
Rokoat
Longer-life polymer alternative
Specs, warnings & data sheets →
Procedure
1
Preparation
- —Washdown the hull and superstructure thoroughly. Paint protection applied over salt, dirt, or bird fouling locks the contaminant in — it does not clean.
- —Rinse completely and allow to dry. Surface must be fully dry before application.
- —Inspect paint surface in raking light for any scratches, chips, or damage. Mark these with tape for follow-up — protection goes over them, but they need a repair conversation with the captain or chief officer.
2
Application — Awlcare
- —Apply Awlcare with a clean, dry, soft microfibre cloth. Do not use a foam pad or abrasive cloth — this is not a compound.
- —Work in small sections (approx. 1m²). Apply a thin, even coat using overlapping passes.
- —Allow to haze — 2–5 minutes in normal conditions. Do not let it dry fully hard before buffing.
- —Buff off with a clean, dry microfibre. The finish should be clear, even gloss — no smearing or streaking.
- —Move to the next section. Keep cloths clean — a cloth loaded with product from a previous pass will streak.
3
Application — Rokoat Polymer
- —Rokoat is applied the same way but has a longer working time and a harder cure. Read the TDS for the specific product version in use.
- —Apply thin and even — Rokoat applied too thick does not give better protection and is harder to buff off.
- —Allow to cure per TDS before exposing to water. Typically 30–60 minutes, but check.
- —Rokoat lasts 3–6 months on a maintained surface — log the application date so the next application is on schedule.
4
Completion
- —Inspect the finished surface. Any missed areas, streaks, or uneven coverage — re-do that section immediately before the product fully cures.
- —Log the application: date, product used, areas covered. This matters when the next application is due and when the HOD asks what protection is on the hull.
- —Rinse and separate cloths used for protection from general cleaning cloths. Contaminated cloths left in the cleaning kit will cause problems.
Troubleshooting
Streaky or smeared finish
Cause: Product applied too thick, buffed too late (fully cured), or dirty buff cloth
Fix: Re-apply a thin fresh coat to the streaked area, allow to haze, buff off with a clean cloth. A fresh coat re-wets dried product and allows it to be removed cleanly.
Dull or flat result rather than gloss
Cause: Product applied over a contaminated or still-wet surface, or buffed too early before hazing
Fix: Re-wash the section, dry fully, re-apply correctly. If the paint surface itself is dull, the protection layer cannot fix that — it needs a polish first.
White residue in recesses and textured areas
Cause: Product cured in gaps before buffing
Fix: Work the residue out with a small detailing brush and a fresh cloth. For badly affected recesses, a drop of IPA on a cotton bud clears dried product residue.
Warnings
- ⚠Never apply paint protection in direct sunlight or on a hot surface — product flashes off before it can be worked, leaving a patchy result
- ⚠Do not use Awlcare or polymer as a cleaning product — it is a protection layer, not a degreaser. Clean first, protect second
- ⚠Confirm which topcoat system is on the hull before selecting product. Awlcare is specifically formulated for Awlgrip systems. Rokoat works across most two-part LPU systems but check compatibility