George Kirby Jr Paint Company

17 May 24:

We are starting to look like a satellite store for George Kirby Jr Paint Company, with two orders arriving this week. First we ordered some primer while we were deciding on the final colors. And then we picked a color for George and his crew to match, and we named the color Skipper Bahama Blue.

This blue is close to the aquamarine in the Bahamas flag.

We also ordered some conditioner aka thinner and brush cleaner.

George (the IVth) and Shari are a one stop shop, for paint, brushes, varnish, rollers, t shirts etc... It's rare today to find a family business that has been around since the 1850s, and even more rare that when you call in and order, it's usually George who answers the phone. Quality products plus great customer service. And fast shipping. 

George Kirby Jr. Paint Company

 03 Sep 22:

Skipper picked out the colors for our Nutshell Pram and I sent in and order early this morning. I had a question about the primer we are using so I sent George, George IV in George Kirby Jr. Paint Company, a query. He responded immediately and I jokingly asked if he was in on the holiday weekend so he could make the paint for our pram. He said he was in every Saturday until Noon, and a little while later we got photos from the Kirby Crew of George mixing EXCUSE ME's colors, which are Maynard Bray Off White, Fighting Lady Yellow and See Red. We also ordered some brushing liquid and a t-shirt.

I don't know about the customer service that most folks are getting in 2022, but Kirby has been delivering their legendary colors and the goods since 1846. We also send our thanks to the Kirby crew for taking time to send us these photos.

From their website:

Our proud and rich family heritage began in 1846 along the historic waterfront in New Bedford, Massachusetts. Since then, Kirby Paint has had a front row seat as a key supplier to this historic industry.  The company rose to prominence as one of the first manufacturers of copper bottom paint. At that time, a revolutionary product, made to eliminate the buildup of barnacles and other sea life that accumulates on the bottoms of boats, which is still a popular choice in our product line today. 

George A. Kirby IV continues the family tradition of producing fine marine paints, primers, and other finishes. Our Kirby Signature Color line features an assortment of our timeless classics that you’ve come to know and trust. We also custom match an endless selection of classic, as well as modern, colors in a variety of finishes. We have always handcrafted all of our marine paint. This is what makes our paint different from the rest, premium ingredients and small, handmade batches. Thank you for choosing Kirby Paint!  We invite you to visit our store at 163 Mount Vernon Street, New Bedford MA. 

~George and Shari Kirby"

If you need some custom, quality marine paint, we'd highly recommend giving George and crew a call. He answers the phone too!

FMI: George Kirby Jr. Paint Company

Grumman 17 SCOUT 03 Sep 18 Repaint

03 Sep 18:

As a result of playing Boat Tetris in prep for Tropical Storm Gordon, the Canoe Works are now open. Our Grumman 17 double ender SCOUT is going to get a field expedient combat paint job.

SCOUT will get a tribute paint scheme to the American Volunteer Group Flying Tigers, they defended China against the Japanese before the US entered WWII.

I thought I could spot spray a few areas, but there were too many scratches with flaked paint edges and start of corrosion. Sanded scratched paint areas with 120 grit on a randome orbital sander to get rid of sub surface corrosion and give the aluminum some tooth for paint to grab onto.

Taped a waterline for the light gray fuselage bottom.

Transferred waterline to opposite side with our cool cloth tape measure. To make it easy I slid the tape back until an inch or half inch line was centered on the keel, in this case 9 inches, then doubled the number to 18 and marked the opposite line with a small strip of tape. We marked about every foot or so.

Starboard side waterline. Started a long strip of tape, about 4-5 feet and laid a fair curve close to the small tape markers. Found a few math errors and adjusted.

Painted the bottom with Kirby Light Gray cut with 50% White to make Light Light Gray, brushed with a Corona Trim brush. George told me it would have been optimum to brush a coat of primer first but I was too excited. If it comes off I'll redo it or call it battle damage. With the 95F heat index we had I found it best to lay down two brush widths vertical then tip it horizontal, had to work it fast before it got tacky.

Bottom of "fuselage" painted.

Test area to see if I could blend in the Patina Bronze base paint for the side. Liked the clean taped line better. The test area will be painted over with the shark's teeth. As I finished the side the first gust front from TS Gordon blew through, 35 mph gust. Had to move SCOUT into the Carriage House and she bunked with ZIP. Also had to pick a few pine needles off of the tacky paint!

Port bow, worked on the pattern for the shark's teeth.

Log of SCOUT.

1978 AMF Sunfish SUGAR 2 17 Jun 18 Bow and Stern Primer

17 Jun 18:

Rolled and tipped the stern with Kirby Primer, tinted with #4 Orange.

Rolled and tipped the bow with Kirby #4 Orange.

Log of SUGAR 2.

George Kirby Jr Paint Comapany

We got a nice card and calendar from the George Kirby Jr Paint Company signed by George IV. Their company has been making paint since 1846 and they will custom mix your colors in addition to producing their signature line of colors. If you are working on an old or new classic and looking for just the right color, check them out! Our new Penobscot 17 Hanna was first painted in custom Kirby colors when she was known as Junie Jump Up.

FMI: George Kirby Jr Paint Company