How to determine type of Bottom Paint

[galynd]

I'll soon be needing to do a bottom job for the first time on my current boat. I do not have access to the previous owner. Is there a way to determine what paint was used so I don't have to sand it all off? I'm prefering to use an Ablative paint as I've had good luck with it in my home waters.

Thanks, Greg.

 

[Don S/V ILLusion]

Does the paint currently on there rub off easily?

 

[galynd]

Does the paint currently on there rub off easily?

I'll try it next time I'm at boat. Does that assure it's ablative?

 

[Don S/V ILLusion]

I'll try it next time I'm at boat. Does that assure it's ablative?

If you have paint typical for use in salt water, yes. You can apply ablative over similar paint with no prep but follow the mfg directions rather than listen to anyone (i.e., me) on the internet

 

[CalebD]

If it will rub off on your hand or a rag it is an ablative paint (most likely).
If it will not rub off then it is a hard paint and not ablative.

Pretty sure most ablative paints can be applied over most hard paints but not the reverse.

 

[galynd]

ok, thanks guys. The good news is I can rough it up a little and paint it with ablative regardless of what paint is on it.

 

[fstbttms]

Contrary to popular belief (and what's been posted here), copolymer ablative and modified epoxy (or "hard") paints can go over each other without issue. It's all in the preparation, of course, but if you want to put a hard paint over an ablative, you absolutely can.