Preping Hull for painting first time

[Rodster44]

HI
I give up trying to keep my boat bottom clean. I boat in the Keys and it sits in the water for two Months a year. I decided to paint the bottom. What grit sand paper should I use and what is the best paint ? This is a fiber glass boat. Any thing else I should know would be welcome also.
Thanks Rod

 

[oops!]

Re: Preping Hull for painting first time

hi rodster......

after you acid wash the bottom, scuff with 180 grit, then clean with aceitone.....then any good bottom paint will work.

also read the restoration section for lots of painting tips

cheers
oops

 

[erie_guy]

Re: Preping Hull for painting first time

Rodster -

Select a name brand bottom paint and read the instructions on the can. I used an Interlux product called Micron, but other products such as Pettits or even West Marine paint should serve you well.

For most paints the bottom should be lightly sanded with an 80 grit paper, using a random orbit sander. You also might consider starting with a "barrier coat" of paint to keep blisters from forming in the gel coat.

erie_guy
Port Clinton, OH

 

[seven up]

Re: Preping Hull for painting first time

Geezus. Two months in tropical waters without a diver and manual scrub down is pushing it don't you think ??

Even with that Trinidad Slime Control SCX 88 X-Tra Guard Super Copper you are gonna get growth within two months.

 

[Chris1956]

Re: Preping Hull for painting first time

Rod, A lot of boat manufacturers do not want you to sand the hull, since you might sand off the water resistant vinylester resin, and cause the boat to blister. If you read the instructions on most bottom paints, they want you to wipe down the hull to remove any trace of mold release wax, rather than sand.

Pettit makes a no-sand primer which is very good. If you do not use a primer and do not sand the hull, the bottom paint may come off in chunks. I therefore recommend the Pettit primer or better yet 3 coats of epoxy barrier coat primer, and two coats of a good ablative bottom paint. This will last two years in NJ water, before I need to repaint with AF.

 

[Rodster44]

Re: Preping Hull for painting first time

Thanks
I will read the can when I decide what kind to buy. I was thinking about Micron.
Rod