Bottom paint identification

[Chris Bogle]

In process of preparing newly purchased Oday 22 for launching in a few weeks. My aim is to apply new coat of anti fouling paint. Guy at local West Marine pointed out it is very important to match paint type with previous application. My hull seems to be in excellent shape. Very smooth with little to no build up of foreign material, algae, barnacles etc. applying a light sanding results in a fine black almost powdery dust but leaving a hard coppery colored surface. West Marine thinks from that description its VC17. How can I tell. Any ideas how to identify the type of paint?

 

[Joe11688]

In process of preparing newly purchased Oday 22 for launching in a few weeks. My aim is to apply new coat of anti fouling paint. Guy at local West Marine pointed out it is very important to match paint type with previous application. My hull seems to be in excellent shape. Very smooth with little to no build up of foreign material, algae, barnacles etc. applying a light sanding results in a fine black almost powdery dust but leaving a hard coppery colored surface. West Marine thinks from that description its VC17. How can I tell. Any ideas how to identify the type of paint?

Chris,
I think it's almost impossible to try to identify the bottom paint that was used on your boat's hull unless you can ask the PO. I would just look on line for a bottom paint that can adhere to most bottom paints that you can purchase somewhere else.
I've been using Super Shipbottom Ablative bottom paint for a number of years now and this paint fits the bill perfectly for me. This paint will even adhere to bare fiberglass, as it has a built in primer and it contains 62.5% copper.
With that said, there has to be a bottom paint that is comparable to SSB in your neck of the woods without having to deal with "Worst Marine."

 

[Chris Bogle]

Is SSB the same as VC17 because I can get that paint.

 

[Joe11688]

Is SSB the same as VC17 because I can get that paint.

I'm not familiar with VC17 Chris. SSB is manufactured in Fort Myers FL. in the states. It would cost you a mint to have it shipped out to where you are. You'd never get it in time to use it.

I just checked out the VC17 on the Jamestown Distributers site. It seems to be able go over bare fiberglass very similar to the SSB but they don't mention the copper content in the paint. I suppose that you could give that paint a shot where it's available to you. The stuff dries fast and you could launch your boat the same day. It may be worth trying. If you're not happy with it, you can try a different paint next year. Good luck!
Joe

 

[Dan Hill]

Chris, If your going with the vc17 I've used it for 4 seasons and found an excellent application method. Purchase a disposable spray bottle similar to a windex bottle and a small tight nap roller, 3 inch from WM is what I use. Mix the product and pour it into the spray bottle. Spray a couple pumps directly onto the prepared surface and roll immediately. This stuff dries extremely fast so be prepared to move right along fast. Have a zip lock bag handy to temporary store your roller so it doesn't dry up while mixing your next batch or fetching some barley pop