Bottom paint

[Grant Brown]

My 1972 Glastron V-163 has green anti-fouling bottom paint on it that's old and very rough and ugly. I'm planning on repainting it again and I can get a pretty good deal on Interlux brand bottom paint. I am planning on using their Interlux Fiberglass Botomkote product. Here's a link to their web page: http://tinyurl.com/2sm3lu.

Does anybody have anything to say about this product?
Do I have to use their special thinner product for clean up? The web page says so.
Can I paint it while on the trailer? How do I get around the bunks and rollers that are touching the boat?

Thanks,
Grant in Vancouver

 

[gcboat]

Re: Bottom paint

Here's a link to another Interlux product: http://www.boatersland.com/int-fbkactg.html
I've used this before and it really is nice to work with ( if bottom paint is good to work with ). You will need to be able to either remove your boat from the trailer or be able to move it back and forth on it to get under the rollers. If you can't do either then do you know someone who has a boathouse with a sling?
As far as the thinner is concerned no, you don't need to use their product. Go to an automotive paint shop and get a quart of slow or medium reducer. Probably half the price. The best thing to do is wear some good gloves with a long sleeve shirt ( that you can toss away ) and don't worry about cleaning up your tools. Just buy stuff that you can throw away when done, i.e. roller covers, throw away brushes, etc.
Your prep work will be the key to a good paint job. Oh yea, have fun !!!!!

 

[Chris1956]

Re: Bottom paint

Grant, Regular Paint Thinner will clean your brushes after bottom painting. I recommend an ablative bottom paint. They cost a bit more, but are multi season capable, and don't build up in thickness and weight. Use disposable roller covers and tray liners.

Also, use masking tape at the waterline to get a good straignt paint edge. You will obvoiusly need to paint this portion with a brush. Alos, make sure the old paint is sound. if it is flaky, you need to powerwash and or sand it down to get to a good layer. Alternatively, you may remove the old bottom paint with a marine paint stripper.

 

[Grant Brown]

Re: Bottom paint

Thanks guys,

I don't leave my boat in the water for more than a day or two at a time so I'm not too worried about stuff growing on the hull. I just hate the look of the greenish brown paint that's on there already. My boat spends all it's time on the trailer under a cover and for most of the year all you can see is the waterline and the paint. The paint that's there is pretty sound and isn't flaking (it was on the transom but I scraped it all off). My biggest concern is durability as I'm loading and unloading it on and off the trailer. I also like to explore and picnic with the family which means it will see some sandy beaches form time to time.

Do I even need bottom paint or should I go for something else completely?

Grant

 

[gcboat]

Re: Bottom paint

From reading your post - no - you are not a prime candidate for needing bottom paint. However, it's already on there so you are pretty much stuck with it. You can remove it but it is a pain in the arse. You could always repaint with a different color if you wanted. For protection on the bow this product is widely used http://www.keelshield.com/keelshield.html
This link is for different types and colors of bottom paint if you decide to go that route http://www.yachtpaint.com/usa/default.asp
They are not the only manufacturer but should hopefully give you some idea of the options out there.