Economical Bottom Paint sources?

sailaway78 · Jan 16, 2009

Bottom Paint

You can do no better for bottom paint than Petit Trinidad. It will give you at least three years in this area. If your up in the lake farther than I am , probably will get four years from it.
I just went through this, and did quite a bit of looking. Ended up buying paint from Defender, as it was the best price I could find. It is quite pricy, but use the best you can, as the cost and the labor involved make it cheaper in the long run. If you are going to do it in the New Orleans area, you will not be able to find a better price on a yard for DIY than Lake Catherine Marine, over on the east end of the lake. The rate over there is 15 a day, and if your a nice guy he discounts that. If you are an ass, the price goes up accordingly. If you would like more info. drop me an email. Or call if you want. 985 246-9900

Mike B · Jan 16, 2009

Don't go cheap on the paint. It's definately a case of you get what you pay for. DIY is easy enough and a great way to save a few bucks. Shop marinas for rates or just follow NiceN Easy's advice. Any time you can get 3 years out of paint job in any area especially in the south it's a good deal.

Maine Sail · Jan 16, 2009

The paint..

The paint is not the real cost. The real cost of a gallon comes a few years down the road when you need to strip the entire bottom because you saved a few bucks on paint.

I would advise buying the best multi-season ablative paint you can get. I have been using West Marine PCA now for two seasons and it has worked incredibly well but I'm in Maine.

WM PCA is comparable to Pettit Ultima SR and is actually made by Pettit. Trinidad is a good paint if your boat stays in the water year round, but it is a hard paint, and will build up, and eventually cost you in both time and or money to strip back off. Ablatives wear away or slough so you don't get as much build up..

It's just a matter of pay now or pay later..:neutral:

seadaddler · Jan 16, 2009

Trinidad Pettiton E-Bay

I just used Trinidad Ultama SR-60 for my bottom job for here in Florida,two coats on my hull,I also found out that a 1/4 '' roller works best,after using 3/16
and 3/8 rollers.
Go on E-Bay for best price that I found.
Nick

Ron20324 · Jan 16, 2009

My local True-Value Hardware had a better price than when West was on sale. Make your first coat a different color than the top coat so it'll show through when the top wears off. Then next time you can just touch up the worn areas. I don't recall if one straight quart ever did my 22 or 23, but I did thin the red quart as per the label, then if any left over, put it in high-wear areas; Bow/front of keel/ bottom foot or so of rudder. Put any paint in a bigger bucket to mix it with a drill- it'll splash! Keep it mixed as you paint.

Maine Sail · Jan 16, 2009

Ron20324 said:
My local True-Value Hardware had a better price than when West was on sale. Make your first coat a different color than the top coat so it'll show through when the top wears off. Then next time you can just touch up the worn areas. I don't recall if one straight quart ever did my 22 or 23, but I did thin the red quart as per the label, then if any left over, put it in high-wear areas; Bow/front of keel/ bottom foot or so of rudder. Put any paint in a bigger bucket to mix it with a drill- it'll splash! Keep it mixed as you paint.

What brands did they sell? That's cool!

Ron20324 · Jan 16, 2009

Petite, the Micron CSC that I bought, and a few other manufacturers. Just today I found they had the lowest price on Sunbrella 303 waterproofing.

MacMikey · Jan 16, 2009

West Marine has a wholesale side called Port Supply. If you have a buddy in the marine related business ask him if he has a Port Supply account. He can pick up the paint you want at West Marine at a considerable savings over the WM retail price.

Ron20324 · Jan 16, 2009

Hey, Mike, I'll be in Ft Myers in 10 days. Other than the one in North Ft M, is there any good used marine-stuff stores down your way?