Bottom paint compatibility

[Al]

We currently have VC17 on our Hunter 34 located on Lake Erie and was looking for any paint that is compatible for an overcoat. I believe I have read somewhere that once you have VC on you have no other choice due to the teflon, unless you strip the hull. Is this correct? Any help would be great.Also is one coat of VC17 enough or does it require two?

 

[james rohr]

not a problem!

just about any paint will adhere to vc. lightly sand to get a good clean bottom. then paint. most paints will go over the vc's but not vice versa due to the solvent that is used in the vc's and balto plate. its a laquer type thinner.check the paint specs and it will tell you about its compatability. as to whether you need more than one coat dependes on how thick you put it on, since its an ablative paint. I use vc offshore and am happy with it. and i scrub the bottom at least once a month all season. on lake erie i don't know if vc17 will work well. i know the lake is fresh water but i understand you have the wonderful zebra mussels. there's not much copper in the vc17 formulation and i found that its tough to keep the copper in suspension during application. offshore is almost the same price and its got a lot more copper and its a lot easier to apply.I've used offshore on the chesapeake for about 12 years now and i always have some left at the end of the season. if your worried then put one coat of one color on, then a different color second coat.

 

[Steve O.]

check first

I would check with Interlux before I put anything over VC-17, other than VC.

 

[Ed Schenck]

Here's the chart.

Related Link is Interlux's "compatibility chart". For most paints over VC17 the recommendation is "remove". But there are some exceptions.

 

[Kevin]

Check Interlux's Paint Guide

The Interlux paint guide shows that VC17 must be removed entirely or have a heavy sanding before you can cover with most other Interlux products. A couple are compatible. Its interesting that VC Offshore cannot be put over VC17 but the reverse is OK.You can get the guide at Interlux dealers. It may also be on their web site.Here on Lake Ontario common practice is too put on one fresh coat of VC17 each year, but to apply additional coats to the areas most exposed to friction such as the leading edge of the keel, rudder, and along the water line.Kevin

 

[Tim McCarty]

Well....

when I bought my first boat, and, not having a whole lot of experience with bottompaint, I had VC17 on the bottom. I'd just assumed it was fiberglass bottomcoat, so, I sanded it, and for years afterward, applied general purpose antifouling paint...never had any problems whatsoever. I've since purchased a Hunter 29.5 with VC17, so, I think I'll just stick to VC17...