Awlcraft 2000 Application
The fleet-standard high-gloss acrylic urethane topcoat. Fast-drying, easy to spray, fully buffable and repairable — the proven choice for yacht hulls, topsides, and superstructures for over two decades.
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About Awlcraft 2000
Awlcraft 2000 is a premium high-gloss acrylic urethane topcoat available in a wide range of colors. It is fast-drying, easy to apply, and supports a variety of reducers for flexible application across shop conditions. The product is recommended where application takes place in a dusty environment, where the project will require buffing and polishing on larger areas, or where the painter wants the option of a true field-repairable system.
That repairability is what made Awlcraft 2000 a fleet standard. Where Awlgrip Topcoat is a durable but non-repairable surface, Awlcraft 2000 can be spot-sanded, recoated, and blended without repainting an entire panel — a major advantage for charter operators, yacht yards, and anyone who expects normal dock wear over the life of the finish.
Spray only
Awlcraft 2000 is designed for spray application only. There is no brush-and-roll converter for this product. If you need a brushable urethane finish, choose Awlgrip Topcoat with Awlcat #3 (H3002) instead.
Specs at a Glance
Components You Need
| Component | Code | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Awlcraft 2000 Base | F Series (color) | The pigmented base. See the Awlgrip color card or MIXITcloud for available colors. |
| Awlcraft 2000 Clearcoat | F3029 | Optional clear over color, when needed for additional gloss or color depth. Required over Awlcraft SE basecoats. |
| Awlcat #2 Spray Converter | G3010 | Required converter for all Awlcraft 2000 application. |
| Spray Reducer (Fast) | T0001 / T0002 | Cooler shop temperatures. |
| Spray Reducer (Standard) | T0003 | The standard choice for 70–90 °F shop conditions. |
| Spray Reducer (Hot) | T0005 | 90–105 °F, or as a flow additive blended with T0001/T0002/T0003. |
| VOC-Compliant Reducers (US) | T0163 / T0167 / T0168 | Fast / Standard / Hot VOC-exempt reducers for use with Awlcraft 2000 VOC Compliant. |
| VOC-Compliant Converter (US) | G3039 | Awlcat 5 converter for Awlcraft 2000 VOC Compliant systems. |
Mix Ratio & Reduction
2 : 1 Two parts Awlcraft 2000 Base to one part Awlcat #2 (G3010) Spray Converter, by volume. Stir to a smooth, homogenous mixture before adding any reducer.
Reduction: Add Awlgrip spray reducer (T0001, T0002, T0003, or T0005) to bring the viscosity into the spray range — typically up to 33% by volume of the mixed base + converter, targeting 11–14 seconds DIN 4 (or 16–18 seconds Zahn #2). The exact reducer percentage will vary with temperature, humidity, equipment, color, and spray technique.
Induction time: none required.
Pot life @ 77 °F / 50% RH: 7 hours.
Equipment cleaning: T0001, T0002, or T0003.
Always spray a test panel
Mixing and reduction requirements vary with conditions, equipment, and color. Spray a small test panel before committing to a full hull side, especially when changing temperatures, reducers, or guns mid-project.
Spray Application Process
- Substrate. Awlcraft 2000 is applied over a properly prepared Awlgrip epoxy primer such as 545. Sand the cured primer smooth (P320–P400), and ensure the substrate is clean, dry, and free of contaminants. Wipe down using the two-cloth method with Awlprep 400 (T0170) or Awlgrip Surface Cleaner (T0340 in EU).
- Verify environment. Substrate must be at least 5 °F / 3 °C above the dew point. Ambient temperature 55–105 °F (13–41 °C). Avoid direct sunlight on the substrate. Avoid late-afternoon application where overnight temperature could drop below dew point within 6–8 hours.
- Tack the surface with Awlgrip Deluxe Tack Rags (#73009). Use light pressure — let the resin pick up the dust.
- Mix 2:1 with Awlcat #2 (G3010) and stir until smooth.
- Add reducer chosen for shop temperature, working up to 33% to reach 11–14 seconds DIN 4.
- Set up the gun. Recommended starting points by manufacturer:
- SATA — SATAjet 5000 RP Gravity, 1.0 / 1.2 mm, 1.8 / 2.3 bar
- SATA — SATAjet 3000 K RP Pressure, 0.8 / 1.1 mm, 250 ml/min, 1.8 / 2.5 bar
- DeVilbiss — Pro Lite Pressure, TE 40 air cap, 1.0 mm, 1.9 bar
- DeVilbiss — Advanced HD Pressure, 520 air cap, 0.85 mm, 2.3 bar
- Iwata — WS 200 SP Pressure, O1 air cap, 1.0 mm, 2.5 bar
- Apply 2+ coats by air-atomized spray. First coat: a light tack/grip coat. Subsequent coats: full wet coats at the recommended wet film thickness of ~2.2 mils (56 microns) yielding ~1 mil dry per coat. Acceptable DFT range is 3–4.2 mils total.
- Wait at least 30 minutes between coats at 77 °F; do not exceed 24 hours without sanding.
Cure, Recoat & Tape Times
All times are at standard conditions (25 °C / 77 °F, 50% RH). Cooler conditions slow the cycle — recoat times double for every 5 °F / 3 °C drop below standard. Below 12 °C / 55 °F the curing process stops entirely.
| Stage | Time @ 77 °F | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Touch dry | 3 hours | Surface is dust-free. |
| Min recoat | 30 minutes | Earliest the next coat may go on. |
| Max recoat without sanding | 24 hours | Sand with P400 if exceeded, then continue. |
| Hard dry | 24 hours | End of First Cure Cycle. |
| Tape time (boot lines, stripes) | 24 hours | Use only proven low-tack tapes; remove within 24 hours. |
| Full cure / enter service | 21 days | End of Third Cure Cycle. Coating has reached all of its mechanical and chemical properties. |
Moisture is the enemy
Moisture in contact with Awlcraft 2000 before it completes the first cure stage can cause loss of gloss, flat spots, grainy surface, blistering, or water-spotting. Avoid applying topcoats when the temperature could drop below the dew point within 6–8 hours of application.
Repairability & Buffing
Repairability is one of the strongest reasons to choose an Awlcraft product over Awlgrip Topcoat. Awlcraft 2000 can be buffed, polished, and spot-repaired — though it's worth noting that buffability is color-dependent on some shades, particularly deep tints and metallics.
- Spot repair: Sand the damaged area, feather the edges, clean using the two-cloth method, and spot-spray with the same Awlcraft 2000 color, mixed and reduced exactly as the original application.
- Buffing: Once fully cured, buff with a wool cutting pad and marine compound, followed by a foam pad and finishing polish.
- Accelerated cure: Pro-Cure X-98 (spray only) or X-138 (spray or brush) can be added to reduce dry and tape times when the project requires faster turnaround. Do not use either accelerator with Awlgrip HDT.
Use Awlwash for maintenance
For ongoing care, wash the cured finish with Awlwash 2.0 or Awlwash and apply Awlcare protective polymer sealer periodically. These products are formulated specifically for the Awlcraft / Awlgrip topcoat family and will not damage the gloss.
Awlcraft 2000 vs. the Family
Where Awlcraft 2000 fits within the Awlgrip topcoat lineup:
| Product | Mix Ratio | Method | Repairable | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Awlgrip Topcoat | 1:1 (Spray) / 2:1 (Brush) | Spray, Brush, Roll | No | Hardest, most chemical-resistant finish; brush/roll capable. |
| Awlcraft 2000 | 2:1 | Spray only | Yes | The proven, fleet-standard repairable urethane. |
| Awlcraft 3000 | 2:1 | Spray only | Yes | Same application as 2000, with the new AkzoNobel color platform for richer color. |
| Awlcraft SE | 1:0.5:0.15 | Spray only (basecoat) | Yes (system) | Solids and effects basecoat — requires a clearcoat for finished system. |
| Awlgrip HDT | 1:1:0.25 | Spray only | Yes | Highest gloss and DOI, micro-scratch resistance, VOC compliant. |
If your shop is already set up for Awlcraft 2000 and you're satisfied with the finish, there is no technical reason to switch. Awlcraft 3000 is the natural upgrade path when you want better color performance without changing application process. Awlgrip HDT is the upgrade when you want the highest possible gloss and DOI.
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