Bilge: to paint or not to paint?

[Cougar_15]

As I'm going through my (seemingly endless) list of things left to do on my boat I started thinking about the bilge. The question is should I paint the fiberglass in the bilge area and if so what is best to use. If I'm going to paint it I need to do it before I glass the new deck in.

So I though I would see what the popular opinion is regarding bilge painting. Is it necessary to paint? What paint is best?

This is for a 15ft tri-hull that will be trailered and garage keep most of the time but may be in the water for a week or more on occasion...

 

[PiratePast40]

Re: Bilge: to paint or not to paint?

I painted mine with Zinzer oil based primer and then finished with a high quality epoxy enamel. I think it looks pretty sharp and very durable. Just make sure you leave enough time for all coats to cure completely.

 

[legoman67]

Re: Bilge: to paint or not to paint?

we painted ours with interprotect 2000E. it looks great when clean..(clean+bilge do not go together for too long)

 

[Cougar_15]

Re: Bilge: to paint or not to paint?

I've seen interprotect 2000E recommended a few times on the web when I searched for bilge paint. What kind of prep did you have to do? How was the application?​

Has anyone tried using Epoxy Garage floor paint in a bilge? Something like this (from home depot)​

A high-performance, ready-to-use, water-based floor paint that resists hot tire pick-up and marring. The finish is highly resistant to chemicals, oil and gasoline, which reduces the need for maintenance of hard-to-clean interior or exterior floors. Available in custom colors in a Satin Finish.​

 

[legoman67]

Re: Bilge: to paint or not to paint?

we just did a quick sand with 60 grit, then acetone, then apply. the stuff goes on really thick, and the recommended coats on the side of the can is silly. We did 3 fairly heavy coats and its good.

We used 2 and 1/2 gallons for ours..

shortly after the last coat

 

[allpoints360]

Re: Bilge: to paint or not to paint?

Paint your bilge white.

You can see things you need to see.

Good luck!

 

[fishseeker]

Re: Bilge: to paint or not to paint?

Paint your bilge white.

You can see things you need to see.

Good luck!

Boy ain't that the truth. My project had a BLACK bilge.(factory cause the transom was black also) How you suppose to see an oil leak?

 

[D.spencer]

Re: Bilge: to paint or not to paint?

I painted my bilge with white gel coat- it is very easy to see in there and of course, very durable.

 

[jonesg]

Re: Bilge: to paint or not to paint?

interlux bilgecoat paint, high quality paint, it draws the moisture out of the wood and glass. Brushes on like sour cream.