Need Advise on Bottom Paint

[Sport Lido]

I am restoring a 1955 Glasspar Sport Lido. Had to patch one hole in the fiberglass on the bottom with epoxy, but the remainder of the bottom is in pretty good shape and has been sanded with a large majority of the original gelcoat remaining. Boat will be kept in freshwater during the summer so I do not need anti-fouling. I have looked at VC Performance Epoxy. Will this do the job or do I need some type of barrier coat before putting on the VC? Is there another solution? Based on the situation, what do you guys recommend for finishing the bottom. Thanks.

 

[mrdjflores]

Re: Need Advise on Bottom Paint

this topic has been discussed many times...
some of the basic conclusions are:
if it is a trailered boat (not left in the water more than a couple days) then you can use a topsides paint.
if it is going to be left in the water longer (freshwater or not) then you specifically need to use a bottom paint (antifouling)

i'm sure other's will chime in here too

 

[HighLineCBR]

Re: Need Advise on Bottom Paint

I am restoring a 1955 Glasspar Sport Lido. Had to patch one hole in the fiberglass on the bottom with epoxy, but the remainder of the bottom is in pretty good shape and has been sanded with a large majority of the original gelcoat remaining. Boat will be kept in freshwater during the summer so I do not need anti-fouling. I have looked at VC Performance Epoxy. Will this do the job or do I need some type of barrier coat before putting on the VC? Is there another solution? Based on the situation, what do you guys recommend for finishing the bottom. Thanks.

I have the same dilemma. Im redoing the bottom on my boat. Had the bottom soda blasted, and have just finished sanding and prepping for barrier coat.

I plan on using the interlux InterProtect epoxy system. I really dont want to put antifouling paint. My boat will be in fresh water as well and i was planning on taking it out once every month or so and powerwashing the bottom to get the crap off. I hope that will help...

 

[Sport Lido]

Re: Need Advise on Bottom Paint

HighLineCBR: Thanks for the reply. Do you plan to put anything over the Interprotect or leave it at that?

 

[HighLineCBR]

Re: Need Advise on Bottom Paint

It'll be either bottom paint or just leave at InterProtect. I will wait and see how the bottom comes out with the InterProtect, then i will decide whether I will put bottom paint on or not.

If i do decide to put bottom paint on, I will use the Interlux Micron CSC paint. I already bought it (in white), its supposed to be a self polishing ablative paint that is for Fresh water, power boat use. This paint will selp polish and eventually wear off like a bar of soap exposing new layers of antifoulant.

Im not a big fan of antifouling paint... its messy, ugly, and causes drag. Thats why I would rather leave my bottom with the InterProtect only. Like i said before, i can always take the boat our of the water once in a few weeks and wash/clean the bottom.

I'll see how the InterProtect comes out and decide what to do then

 

[Sport Lido]

Re: Need Advise on Bottom Paint

If you decide to go over the Interprotect check out the Interlux VC Performance Epoxy. It's the only bottom paint I have come across that does not contain any anti-fouling properties. Apparently provides a hard finish for trailered and rack stored boats and also allows you to store your boat in freshwater for longer periods. Not sure which way I'll go yet, but leaning towards using the Interprotect as a barrier coat and then cover that with the VC Performance Epoxy. Then pull it out every month or so to clean the scum off the bottom.

 

[HighLineCBR]

Re: Need Advise on Bottom Paint

I thought that the InterProtect will do exactly that. Not sure if there is a need to epoxy over an epoxy. The InterProtect is a barrier coat that requires 4-5 coats of applicaton. I believe the stuff youre talking about is supposed to be applied over gel coat. It will act like a barriercoat/bottom paint but not fully either.