I'm moving my boat from Lake Michigan to Seattle and the boat will go into Salt Water on the Sound. My plan is to remove what there is left of the bottom paint, then use Interlux 2000 to barrier coat. What paint should I be using on top of the barrier paint in salt water? (I've used Micron CSC on L. Michigan fresh water, but not sure for salt water. Also, to clean the hull below the water line, the plan is to soda blast. Any thoughts on this?
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no need to strip the bottom
No need to strip the bottom for the sake of changing paints. Micron CSC is a well-rated saltwater paint. However, bottoms may be soda blasted for an extensive blister repair operation. If this is your reason, though you make no mention of it, carry on as you please. Otherwise, to remove several layers of paint build-up or to clean bottom growth, soda blasting the bottom is taking the proverbial baseball bat to the fly. For one thing, CSC is a copolymer, so it wears away and there is no real paint buildup. Secondly, since you're using the same paint, there is no reason to do any more than your perennial painting procedure, a light sanding or whatever it may be.
No need to strip the bottom for the sake of changing paints. Micron CSC is a well-rated saltwater paint. However, bottoms may be soda blasted for an extensive blister repair operation. If this is your reason, though you make no mention of it, carry on as you please. Otherwise, to remove several layers of paint build-up or to clean bottom growth, soda blasting the bottom is taking the proverbial baseball bat to the fly. For one thing, CSC is a copolymer, so it wears away and there is no real paint buildup. Secondly, since you're using the same paint, there is no reason to do any more than your perennial painting procedure, a light sanding or whatever it may be.
Your on the right track with the barrier coat
Once that has dried, depending on what you do and if you cruse or race, i would use a good brand paint, like Petit Trinidad 1275. I have had nothing but good things about that. Soda blasting works good, or you depending on the layers, you can grind it off. I have done both, and they get the results you are looking at, soda blasting takes longer but leaves no mess. Grinding takes less than a day, but leaves a mess and alot of yards don't allow it.
Once that has dried, depending on what you do and if you cruse or race, i would use a good brand paint, like Petit Trinidad 1275. I have had nothing but good things about that. Soda blasting works good, or you depending on the layers, you can grind it off. I have done both, and they get the results you are looking at, soda blasting takes longer but leaves no mess. Grinding takes less than a day, but leaves a mess and alot of yards don't allow it.
Move to Salt Water
What is your boat? If you have a boat that was built in the 70's, or 80's adding a barrier coat would be a good idea no matter where you kept it. Salt water is not sure bet to get blisters, especially cold salt water. Most people use an ablative paint in this area, or a hard paint like "Trinidad". Hard paints need to be removed occaisionally because the paint builds up over several haulouts, where as ablatives wear away with boat movement. Use a 'copolymer' ablative if you haul your boat for the winter, or either if it is left in the water. The real secret is to use the boat. If you feel you need the barrier coat then soda blasting would be the best way to remove the paint to prepare for the barrier coat.
What is your boat? If you have a boat that was built in the 70's, or 80's adding a barrier coat would be a good idea no matter where you kept it. Salt water is not sure bet to get blisters, especially cold salt water. Most people use an ablative paint in this area, or a hard paint like "Trinidad". Hard paints need to be removed occaisionally because the paint builds up over several haulouts, where as ablatives wear away with boat movement. Use a 'copolymer' ablative if you haul your boat for the winter, or either if it is left in the water. The real secret is to use the boat. If you feel you need the barrier coat then soda blasting would be the best way to remove the paint to prepare for the barrier coat.
More info
Mick, My boat is a 1985 O'Day 26. It has been in fresh water (Lake Winnebago and Lake Michigan) it's entire lift and doesn't currently have blisters. I've heard that salt water may start blisters, that's why I intend to barrier coat. I purchased this boat a couple of years ago and I have absolutely no idea what type of ablative paint (but it is ablative paint of some sort) the PO used so I think it's best to get rid of it and start fresh. I'll take any thoughts or guidance from any of you who have more experience. This is only my second boat, I'm still learning.
Mick, My boat is a 1985 O'Day 26. It has been in fresh water (Lake Winnebago and Lake Michigan) it's entire lift and doesn't currently have blisters. I've heard that salt water may start blisters, that's why I intend to barrier coat. I purchased this boat a couple of years ago and I have absolutely no idea what type of ablative paint (but it is ablative paint of some sort) the PO used so I think it's best to get rid of it and start fresh. I'll take any thoughts or guidance from any of you who have more experience. This is only my second boat, I'm still learning.
Micron CSC is perfect for salt water
In the northern east is some of the best paint you can buy for salt water. I don't know what the boy in Fla use but up here it works GREAT!
In the northern east is some of the best paint you can buy for salt water. I don't know what the boy in Fla use but up here it works GREAT!
salt water is better for keep off blisters
fresh water. Cold salt water is evern better for stopping water migration into the hull!
fresh water. Cold salt water is evern better for stopping water migration into the hull!
Soda Blast
While I am not sure about the colder waters, Petit Trinidad is pretty much the accepted standard in the warmer waters down south. Soda blasting would be my preferred method of removing the old bottom paint. It is much gentler on the gel coat than sand blasting, although maybe a tad slower. It also leaves a residue that the first rain will clean up with no damage to the environment. A barrier coat is probably a good idea, especially on an older boat.
While I am not sure about the colder waters, Petit Trinidad is pretty much the accepted standard in the warmer waters down south. Soda blasting would be my preferred method of removing the old bottom paint. It is much gentler on the gel coat than sand blasting, although maybe a tad slower. It also leaves a residue that the first rain will clean up with no damage to the environment. A barrier coat is probably a good idea, especially on an older boat.
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