before epoxy barrier coating...

[Valentina]

Just got done stripping bottom paint off my newly acquired Ericson 27.(1979)
I used Peel-away stripper (somewhat successfully). As I was sanding off some of the left over bottom paint with #80 grid paper, I noticed a filler of some sort on a keel in a couple of places. My only guess is that the gellcoat was sanded off by a previous owner and some repairs or blister filling was done. The filler appears to be light gray, but when water gets on it, it becomes dark gray which means-it's absorbing moisture like mad. I have no idea what this filler is. Can it be just painted over with epoxy barrier paint or should I try to get as much of it out as possible and re-patch with some good epoxy (perhaps west systems filler or marine-tex or something like that)????
I have not tried to see if epoxy paint adheres to this gray compound at all...somehow, I have doubts. What would you do???
Thanks
please write to mac22.valentina@gmail.com

 

[tommays]

If you did not notice it

It seems it is sticking to the keel and the paint is sticking to it which is good

If it was poping off the keel or the paint was peeling i would look for a problem

 

[RON20406]

Just got done stripping bottom paint off my newly acquired Ericson 27.(1979)
I used Peel-away stripper (somewhat successfully). As I was sanding off some of the left over bottom paint with #80 grid paper, I noticed a filler of some sort on a keel in a couple of places. My only guess is that the gellcoat was sanded off by a previous owner and some repairs or blister filling was done. The filler appears to be light gray, but when water gets on it, it becomes dark gray which means-it's absorbing moisture like mad. I have no idea what this filler is. Can it be just painted over with epoxy barrier paint or should I try to get as much of it out as possible and re-patch with some good epoxy (perhaps west systems filler or marine-tex or something like that)????
I have not tried to see if epoxy paint adheres to this gray compound at all...somehow, I have doubts. What would you do???
Thanks
please write to mac22.valentina@gmail.com

Valentina, It's probably an old Interlux fairing compound if it is grey. When you sanded the surface, you removed any barrier coat/epoxy and have an unfinished surface. If it has structural integrity, I would be certain it is completely dry(use a heat gun to accelerate the process) and then give it a couple of coats of West System epoxy. After that has dried, you would lightly sand the surface before applying your barrier coat. I personally do not like Interlux Barrier Coat systems as I have seen more failures than should be expected for the time, cost and energy to do the project. I would recommend West System as if it applied correctly, it is practically bullet proof and should last the life of your vessel. Good luck and good sailing . . .Ron