Epoxy paint in bilge?

[CCrew]

Just me again..<br /><br />Looking at painting all the bilge before I seal the deck on it, and in my browsing at Lowes today came across something that may work, but would be interested in opinions. <br /><br />Valspar and Rustoleum both make 2 part epoxy paints. Designed primarily for garage floors, I know it works well there as mine's held up through three years of abuse. Anyone used it, or looked into it as a bilge paint, versus something like Bilgekote? Any reason it wouldn't work?<br /><br />Thanks!<br />Roger

 

[crab bait]

Re: Epoxy paint in bilge?

absolutely no need... it's all been epoxied ,,right... won't/can't see it, when floors down,,right..?? no need for paint or anythin' else.. your work here is done..<br /><br />only need to paint over epoxy is when exposed to sun uv.. which is 'epoxy kiptonite'..

 

[Hooty]

Re: Epoxy paint in bilge?

Lowes has the stuff huh? Interesting. I was gonna use pigmented US Composite's epoxy but if the stuff Lowes haz is slow enough, I might use it. Is it sprayable? I was gonna use a cheap roller and brush for mine and then spray speckle on it before it gelled. <br />Mine's not in the bilge, it's the transom and floor behind the rear seat.<br /><br />c/6<br />Hooty

 

[CCrew]

Re: Epoxy paint in bilge?

Hooty, dunno if it's sprayable. The Valspar stuff is $34 a gallon and available in several colors. 8 hour set, 24 hour cure, advise 48-72 for full cure per the instructions. Interesting Part of the instructions is that you mix then wait 30 minutes to use. Must be pretty slow, as a gallon of the epoxy I used for laminate would kick solid in that mass in that time. The Rustoleum was more, ($64?) and included the color flecks you sprinkle into the wet paint. That's what I have on the garage, and it wears like iron. <br /><br />I've sprayed epoxy before... If you've ever seen a US Navy sub up close you've seen my work, as I've painted a component part of each and every darned sub out there... the grey and black spotted big radio antennas off the tower. My experience with them was that it required a lot of air pressure, and a pressure feed gun to get any semblance of a decent finish. <br /><br />Crab bait... I build show cars when I'm not elbow deep in a boat. Appearance means a lot to me! Necessary? Probably not. Asthetically pleasing? Needs to be in my house!<br /><br />-Roger

 

[bubbakat]

Re: Epoxy paint in bilge?

CC I have used that paint from lowes and without a doubt it is some of the best mid range paint on the market today, I sprayed it on per instructions and it has been on all summer and no ill effects. I sprayed my bilge area and walls of the inside of the boat before I put carpet in and it looks good still<br />BTW I added a little hardner to mine to. gives it a harder finish.

 

[18rabbit]

Re: Epoxy paint in bilge?

Crab bait has some really good advice. Regardless of aesthetics, I would not paint it unless it is visible. If you paint it, you maintain it.<br /><br />If you just want to throw extra money into your bilge, there is paint made specifically for bilges, it’s called “bilge paint”. It is expensive, resists chemicals, fuels, small children... I used it only in the bilge area under the fuel tank, between bulkheads. I don’t think you need it.