Chicken or the Egg?

Sep 2, 2011
1,041
Hunter 27 Cherubini Alum Creek State Park
Which should come first - bottom paint or compounding and buffing the hull?
 
Nov 6, 2006
10,093
Hunter 34 Mandeville Louisiana
Weather? You can buff/wax in the rain if GFI or air tools.
 
Feb 6, 1998
11,709
Canadian Sailcraft 36T Casco Bay, ME
Which should come first - bottom paint or compounding and buffing the hull?
I usually bottom paint first. The tape sticks better to a non-waxed hull and if you hit the new paint with the buffer it migrates less than used paint does... The tape also sticks better to new bottom paint (to prevent the buffer from pulling it into the hull) than to old....
 
Sep 2, 2011
1,041
Hunter 27 Cherubini Alum Creek State Park
Okay guys, I appreciate all the informed, technical answers (Kermit & woodster). lol

And not so technical, but practical answer from MS. Bottoms up first it is!

Thanks!!
 
Jun 4, 2004
834
Hunter 340 Forked River, NJ
First and last

I usually clean, wax and buff my hull first, except for the boot stripe and the lowest part of the hull just above the water line. I then tape and paint the bottom. After the tape is removed and the paint sets-up, I paste wax the boot stripe and lowest hull, usually with several coats. I don't worry about getting some of my wax on the bottom paint at the water line since this clears soon after the boat is launched.
 
Jan 11, 2012
44
Ontario Yachts 38 4 Trent Port
Bottom First.

The bottom is launch critical; the waxing, not so much.

I use 1.5" 3M tape to mask the bottom, paint it, and then use the same tape, lift, shift and re-apply on the fresh bottom paint, to prevent pad contamination.

If we run short before launch day we polish 12" or so from the waterline, and do the rest of the hull in the water.

Ramblin' Rod
 
Nov 26, 2008
1,970
Endeavour 42 Cruisin
Topsides first. Heavy washing soaps, etc run down the hull. Get all that done first and then sand, scrub, paint bottom. Assuming you have the time to get it all done and fully dry before splash.