bottom paint

[Ron Hicks]

My boat needs bottom paint. Is this something I can do myself without unexpected difficulties or should I let the boat repaiman do it? Do I sand first and if so how much? Also is the $40 a quart stuff really better than the $22 a quart?

 

[Adam Howard]

It's really pretty easy but takes some time to get it just right. I painted mine in 1/2 a day but took 4 times as long to prep. First I sanded the bottom. Then sandblasted my keel. I filled in any of the areas with epoxy taking time to fare it out smooth. Then I rolled (my friends spray with an airless sprayer) the paint with good results. My biggest recommendation is to be sure to take care when sanding or working with the paint. These chemicals are carcinogenic. I wore a full respirator at all times.

 

[F SONDERGAARD]

WE BOTTOM PAINT OUR BOAT EVERY TWO YEARS. SANDING TAKES THE LONGEST. WE NEVER TAKE ALL THE BOTTOM PAINT OFF WE SAND A LAYER AND SMOOTH IT OUT. IF YOUR BOAT IS IN SALT WATER USE THE MORE EXPENSIVE PAINT! WE WENT THE CHEAP ROUTE ONE TIME, AND IN THREE MONTHS WE HAD BARNICLES ON THE BOTTOM. ALSO, AT LEAST PUT ON A MASK AND GLASSES WHILE SANDING. IT IS VERY MESSY. GOOD LUCK!!!

 

[Aldo]

Do Some Research, then use Ablative Paint

Ron:There is a type of bottom paint known as "Ablative". Basically what this comes down to is the paint disolves, and barnacles don't grow on it, as long as a layer of it is still there. You absolutely want to use Ablative bottom paint. It's worth it, because it can be used for several years (depending on the temp of your water, and how you scrub the bottom). It would be worth it, if it cost even more. The other types must be applied every year, and then they build up. Soon you have many, many, layers on your boat, and it begins to flake and it is a ton of work to get all the old paint off. If you don't have any paint on now, do your research on how to properly prep your bottom, then make sure that you go with an "Ablative" type of bottom paint. I did paint it with one color, as a marker color, (Green) followed by a top color, (Black). Then when the green begins to show, I know it time to repaint it with another coat of the black. This does work well. Aldo

 

[LaDonna Bubak - CatalinaOwners]

If there's paint on it

If there is already paint on it, you need to use the same paint. Hopefully you can find this out from previous records. Many paints cannot be painted over one another due to chemical reactions. If you don't know what kind of paint was used, your best bet is to sand off all the old paint to be on the safe side. Use full protective gear including a respirator. Sometimes yards will allow the owner to "help" on jobs so they can learn. This might be the way to go for you this time.LaDonna

 

[D. Forster]

didn't do it

I looked into doing it myself, with the cost of the pait and the gear and the labor, verified from reading the other responses, I decided to let the boat yard do it. The net difference is about $200. I thought it was worth it.

 

[Ed Hickey]

Painting

I've done it twice now (actually painting today) and will never do it again. Painting is easy, it's the prep work that takes 4x as long, and is one of the dirtiest jobs I've ever had. Old bottom paint can turn chalky and dust goes everywhere. Pay someone who can do it right.