before painting bottom....

[tom]

i heard you were supposed to like,, paint on some kind of stuff that helps the paint stick... what would it be called... not priimer.. it goes on before that...

 

[Don Hines]

Etch

If it's a brand new bottom you need to dewax twice and then apply etch, a thin silver looking paint like material. Follow directions, bottom paint goes on as soon as etch loses it's tack but still holds a finger-print.

 

[tom]

definitely not a new bottom.......

boat is a 74, and looks like there may be two coats of old paint on it,maybe more,havent really looked too closely at that yet. i know i need to sand a bit and all, but then....

 

[Bob]

Paint Experts

This is one of those jobs for which a few hours of research will result in a much better finished product and probably save you time and money in the long run. Get your hands on current BoatUS and West Marine catalogues or their equivalents - they have lots of valuable info on bottom paints and preparation techniques. For example, on p.391 of my West Catalogue there's a table addressing new paint compatability with existing layers for six different types of paint, and how to prepare the existing layer. Talk to guys who do it every day in their work - I've found a good way to get valuable info is to buy the guy a good lunch and discuss the job I want to do over it. He'll often show you shortcuts and techniques it would take years to learn the hard way.

 

[Steve Dion]

You or the yard?

Tom:Are you going to do it or are you going to have a yard do the job. If you are going to let the yard do it, I would ask for their recommendations. When we have our bottom done, they power wash it and repaint. I suppose if there are any bad spots they may touch them up but that is about it.

 

[tom]

I'll be painting theboat in my yard...

if i had the money i'd go to a yard and have it done... but i believe that i can do it myself,i do have some knowlegde of the things that i'll need to use, I will have to do some sanding as the bottom paint is dull and rough, but i don't believe real bad. i feel sanding would give me a pretty smooth surface on which to work, without having to do any repairs to it... thanx for all the responses....