SML Marine Paints

New formula

Coatings specialist SML Marine Paints tells WN how its own-brand products were developed to meet the needs of the inland waterways market 

SML Marine Paints offers a broad range of paint-systems, primers, topcoats and varnishes for every type of inland waterways craft, available from its dedicated webpage, as well as decorative and protective coatings from its sister sites. 

Owner Malcolm Johnston is no stranger to boats, having extensive experience in building and maintaining large liveaboards on the River Thames. Impressed by the quality and value of Jotun paints, he became a regional supplier for the Norwegian brand in 2004. Now, more than 15 years later, SML Marine Paints is one of the UK’s biggest distributors of paints and coatings in the inland waterways sector, and has launched its own range of products to complement those offered by Jotun.

The small team is well-versed in handling orders for all kinds of boating projects, from dinghy revamps to bespoke wide-beams and brand-new naval ships to narrowboat restorations. “Supplying products from just one manufacturer means we get to know them really well and are able to pull from a vast history of applications and customers to ensure we recommend the best solution for any given project,” says Malcolm. 

Below the waterline

SML Marine Paints has also applied its knowledge of paints to formulate its own products. Ballastic Black, originally created to protect the inside of huge ballast tanks on commercial ocean-going ships, was discontinued some years ago by Jotun. Recognising that Ballastic Black would meet the specific needs of traditional, steel-hulled canal boats, SML agreed to take over the manufacturing from Jotun.

SML Ballastic Black Premium Hull Blacking contains a higher level of volume solids than any other major hull-blacking product. This means that for every application, more protective paint is left on the boat rather than evaporating off as solvent. For boatyards and builders this is a real time- and money-saver, allowing them to achieve the same level of protection with two coats as the three that are usually required. Always looking to improve the quality of its products, SML has added enhanced UV filters to the list of ingredients, which protect the paint’s pigments and keep the coating looking black for longer. 

Hull protection

In 2019 SML Marine Paints launched another new hull product: Ballastic Epoxy. This advanced coating negates the need to sand or blast a steel hull before applying a two-pack epoxy primer.

The pinnacle of steel protection, an epoxy coating can safeguard a hull for ten to 15 years but previously could only be applied to the bare metal. The extremely tolerant nature of Ballastic Epoxy means it can be applied over an existing bitumen paint to provide a base for building up further layers of epoxy primer and better-quality two-pack topcoats. 

SML has tested Ballastic Epoxy over a range of normal hull-blacking products with great success. It has since been supplied to both commercial and leisure customers who have saved money on blasting or been able to apply a two-pack epoxy to their boats where sandblasting was not allowed.

Perfect finish

The development of SML’s primer and topcoat ranges was the result of analysing years of knowledge gathered from customers about how they apply paints. “Our new own-brand range of paints are set to take on the traditional products but with more predictable results and at a more reasonable price,” says Malcolm. 

Unlike the often-limited palettes of some manufacturers, SML can create bespoke colours for customers, meaning the range is almost limitless. Tints are added to base paints to whip up any shade in the rainbow – great news for those looking to get a good match for existing colour schemes.

The Shield commercial primers promise easy application and come in a number of options suitable for use on bare metal, GRP vessels and previously painted surfaces, with formulations for both above and below the waterline. A fast-drying bilge paint also has superior resistance to oil, diesel and other chemicals. 

Created to give the best possible results using a brush or roller, the Lustre topcoats are available in gloss, satin and low-sheen finishes, and in long-lasting two-pack polyurethane and durable single-pack systems. A marine deck paint can be used over existing coatings, and can be combined with SML’s anti-slip beads to produce a practical and hard-wearing surface. 

Supply and demand

In light of recent difficulties in supply chains caused by the pandemic and Brexit, SML has stepped up production of its own brands of hull coating,

Ballastic Black and Ballastic Epoxy, to ensure customers can continue their projects without delay. SML is also offering discounts and samples to boatyards looking to try out its hull blackings for the first time. 

Next working day delivery is available for single tins and pallet quantities, for both its own-brand paints and coatings and its extensive stock of Jotun products. Collections can also be made from its Gloucestershire-based premises by prior arrangement. 

FIND OUT MORE

SML Marine Paints


01285 862132


info@smlpaints.co.uk


smlmarinepaints.co.uk