AQUACOTE Topcoat
The WATER BASED alternative to varnish and estapol.
The topcoat is a Water based two pack polyurethane available in clear, white, black and 16 colours (other colours will be provided on request with a mixing fee applied, provided you supply a color swatch).  Aquacote is very tough and scratch resistant with very high UV resistance.  It takes approximately four days to fully set and is so tough it can be buffed.   It is an advanced technology product and therefore quite different to apply to household enamels and the like.
The clear has been under test at Townsville on Test Panels which track the sun and the test panels have completed the equivalent of five years service without loss of gloss in full sun. 

As it is water based it is temperature sensitive and in temperatures over 30 degrees C sets too quickly to apply successfully, although we have some tips to assist with achieving a good finish.  We recently assisted a customer at Mungindi (out the back of Moree, NSW) achieve a satisfactory finish in summer by working in the middle of the night, having the floor of his workshop wet, hosing down the hull before painting to assist with cooling things down and creating humidity which is normally not heard of in Mungindi.  We recommend if new to using AQUACOTE, spend a couple of minutes on the phone and talk to us about some tips which will ensure you achieve good results.  Also, if having problems when applying it give us a call.

The items below are a tiller & Teak seat for my yacht. Both are sealed with Bote-Cote Non-Yellowing Epoxy Resin then sanded to 240 grit sand paper then coated with three coats of Clear AQUACOTE.  These will now provide many years of service in full sun without the worry of failure or re-coating, unless the surface is damaged.

AQUACOTE Epoxy Undercoat

Water based high build sandaled epoxy primer is easy to apply by brush, roller or spraying.  We have found rolling it on to be the most successful for majority of jobs, as it does not self level and tends to leave brush marks if brushed.  If proficient with a spray gun and the correct equipment is available, it sprays with good results.  Further details can be obtained from the link to the AQUACOTE Specifications & Procedures below.

The graphic below shows the panel on the right undercoated with AQUACOTE Epoxy Primer and then sanded to 240 grit sand paper then coated with three coats of White AQUACOTE applied by Low Flock roller.   This will now provide many years of service in full sun without the worry of failure or re-coating, unless the surface is damaged.  The clear finish areas where finished the same way as described for the tiller and seat above.  The flooring sheets where also finished with Clear AQUACOTE and it provides an excellent flooring finish although it has no Non Skid capability.

EASE OF USE
Aquacote coatings require thinning and clean up with water only, and they can be applied safely to damp surfaces. They combine with Bote-Cote epoxy systems to present a complete fairing and protective coating system suitable for surfaces of timber and plywood, fiberglass, metals, and any other porous or semi-porous surfaces requiring long term protection from marine and exterior environments.

Ugly Duckling Boat Restoration using Aquacote
The ugly Duckling was an abandoned fiberglass boat and Ralph sought our advice on whether it could be resurrected. Here is the result.
More info

Related Products
Clear System
Aquacote Pdf's
Brochure
Directions
Tips-For a Good Finish