Epoxy as epoxy paint?

[Hermit Scott]

Epoxy as barrier coat?

I have finished refairing the keel on my boat. I ground away all the fairing material(boat bondo) and replaced it with 6 oz. cloth and epoxy. On the leading edge and trailing edge of the keel it is probably 3/4" thick to try to prevent the catalina smile. I used no fairing compound. It was very time consuming and pretty close to looking good.
As I finished sanding the last time. I mixed some epoxy and just brushed it over all the work to cover any fiberglass fibers that could wick water. I also brushed all the through hulls and coated the insides of the through hulls. I did this to try to prevent and problems with the copper based bottom paint.
Now what do I do? Do I have to use a primer or sealer to make the bottom paint stick or can I just rough it up by hand sanding and then bottom paint it?

Also I am installing the shaft and prop after painting, on the hose that goes to the packing gland, do I need to put any sealer in there, or just double clamp it dry?

 

[Manny]

Hermit,

As long as all the fiberglass is sealed with epoxy you may be able to rough up and paint right over it. Check the instructions on the bottom paint you are using, it may say otherwise. Maybe some types need a primer? I think I've read a while back on this forum that you are better off with certain paints to apply it while the epoxy is still "tacky" for best adhesion. That being said I've had no real problems applying the hard type bottom paints directly over epoxy when I repaired a whole lot of blisters on my boat.
As far as the through hulls, it seems like everyone I know just puts bottom paint right over them without any protective coating.
For the shaft log sealant shouldn't be necessary, double clamp where it goes through the hull and also double clamp the stuffing box. My hose was a tight fit, soapy water may help to slide the hose in place if necessary.

Manny

 

[jibes138]

Epoxy Paint

I took my keel down to bare lead because the bottom paint wasn't sticking to it, coming off in sheets. I then coated it with West epoxy and used a wire brush to work it into any oxide that developed while waiting to get coated. These were instructions from somewhere I can't remember. I then put a coat or two of barrier coat because again the instructions said that barrier coat is a good base for paint adhesion. I put the barrier coat on before the epoxy was completely cured hoping to get some primary bonding between the chemicals. I haven't had any trouble since so you might want to try using any barrier coat you have left to "prime" the epoxy for painting.