A superyacht topcoat only reflects as well as the surface beneath it. Fairing is the process of making that surface true, so that reflections run straight along the hull without ripples or hollows. Superyacht Painters Ltd has over 40 years' experience fairing superyachts, sailing yachts and racing yachts.
What fairing is
Steel and aluminium hulls are never perfectly fair after construction: welding distorts plates, and frames show through. Composite hulls have their own variations. Fairing fills and shapes these deviations with fairing compound, then sands it back with long boards until the surface follows the designer's lines.
Our fairing process
- Survey: we map the hull with battens and light to find highs and lows, and check any existing fairing for adhesion and cracking.
- Preparation: blasting or grinding to the substrate where needed, with the correct primer to protect it.
- Application: fairing compound applied in controlled layers to the manufacturer's thickness limits.
- Longboarding: hand longboarding, checked repeatedly with battens and light, until the lines are true.
- Guide coats and high-build primer: to reveal and remove the last small defects.
- Sign-off: inspection before the undercoat and topcoat programme begins.
Full fairing or fairing repairs?
A full fairing is part of most new builds and some full repaints, where old coatings are removed to bare metal. Fairing repairs restore damaged or cracked areas and blend them into the existing surface. Many of our refit projects combine both, for example the fairing repairs and full Awlgrip repaints on M/Y Leander G (75 m) and M/Y Indian Empress (95 m). See full repaints.
Racing-specification fairing
Fairing a racing yacht adds a second requirement: weight. On Vestas Sailrocket 2 every product applied and every gram sanded off was weighed, so the boat stayed as light and streamlined as possible. She went on to set the outright world sailing speed record over 500 m in November 2012. Read the Sailrocket case study.
Fairing in hot and humid climates
Fairing compounds have strict temperature and humidity limits for application and cure. In Asia we work under cover with environmental control, and record conditions throughout. Our covered paint-shed work in Singapore is run the same way. Superyacht painting in Singapore.
Fairing and the paint system
Fairing compounds must be compatible with the primer and topcoat system that follows. We work with Awlgrip, Alexseal, International, Jotun and Hempel systems, and follow the manufacturer's specification from substrate to topcoat. Awlgrip vs Alexseal.
Frequently asked questions
Why does fairing take so long?
Each layer must cure before it is sanded, and the surface is checked and corrected many times. Good fairing cannot be rushed.
Does a repaint always need full fairing?
No. If the existing fairing is sound, preparation and local repairs may be enough. A survey tells you which.
Can you repair cracked fairing?
Yes. We remove the failed area, find the cause and re-fair it to blend with the surrounding surface.
Do you fair composite and carbon yachts?
Yes, including racing yachts. See composite repair.
Talk to us about fairing
Contact Superyacht Painters · info@yachtrefitasia.com · +66 (0)80 829 0122
Superyacht Painters Ltd, The Clock House, Western Court, Bishop's Sutton, Alresford, England SO24 0AA