Epoxy Primer

Sep 4, 2007
776
Hunter 33.5 Elbow, Saskatchwen, Can.
The keel on the new to us boat has to be ground/sand blasted down to bare metal. After that I would like to coat it with epoxy primer then epoxy. There seems to be lots of different brands and along with that different prices.:yikes: So I'm wondering does the primer have to say "Marine"? Will any epoxy do? I've just started looking into this project. After the epoxy can you just put on the anti-fouling or is there another step that i will need to do?
Thanks in advance
Don
 
Jan 11, 2014
12,746
Sabre 362 113 Fair Haven, NY
When dealing with marine coatings and especially coatings below the waterline, it is generally best to pick a brand and stay with it. The two major brands, Petitt and Interlux/International Paints have time tested systems for protecting underwater metals. If this was my boat, I'd pick one and go with it.

Others will, of course, tell you that it is not necessary to follow one brand and you can mix and match, however if you do this no company will support you if you run in to trouble or need advice. In the grand scheme of things, the extra cost is not that much and the potential headaches are much greater.
 
Nov 30, 2020
79
Macgregor 22 Dania, FL
What Dave said is true and good advice. If you are totally strapped for cash, epoxy pool paint is available on Ebay for $80 per gallon.

Chip V.
s/v Sand Dollar
 
Jan 24, 2017
670
Hunter 34 Toms River Nj
if this is a steel keel like my H34 whatever you choose to do the primer has to be applied the same day as the keel sand blasting or it will start to oxidize/rust and whatever coating you do will not adhere well. I had to do mine twice, very expensive mistake

hope this helps
 
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Likes: Will Gilmore
May 17, 2004
5,554
Beneteau Oceanis 37 Havre de Grace
if this is a steel keel like my H34 whatever you choose to do the primer has to be applied the same day as the keel sand blasting or it will start to oxidize/rust and whatever coating you do will not adhere well. I had to do mine twice, very expensive mistake

hope this helps
Same with lead. It will quite quickly oxidize and dull. The epoxy should be applied while the surface is still shiny.


After the epoxy can you just put on the anti-fouling or is there another step that i will need to do?
With Interlux Interprotect 2000e yes you can just put the paint right on. They recommend putting the paint on while the epoxy is still curing to get the best bond. I don’t know about other non-marine brands. I’d expect problems with amine blush on at least some options requiring a separate cleaning to remove that, and maybe sanding to key the surface before overcoating.
 
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Likes: Will Gilmore
Mar 1, 2012
2,182
1961 Rhodes Meridian 25 Texas coast
Same with lead. It will quite quickly oxidize and dull. The epoxy should be applied while the surface is still shiny.



With Interlux Interprotect 2000e yes you can just put the paint right on. They recommend putting the paint on while the epoxy is still curing to get the best bond. I don’t know about other non-marine brands. I’d expect problems with amine blush on at least some options requiring a separate cleaning to remove that, and maybe sanding to key the surface before overcoating.
Agree on the interprotect- have it on both boats. For yesrs
 
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Likes: Whatfiero1
Sep 4, 2007
776
Hunter 33.5 Elbow, Saskatchwen, Can.
Has anyone used system 3 i think it's called? I thought I read that it didn't have the amine blush issue.
Thanks
Don
 
Jan 19, 2010
12,553
Hobie 16 & Rhodes 22 Skeeter Charleston
What Dave said is true and good advice. If you are totally strapped for cash, epoxy pool paint is available on Ebay for $80 per gallon.

Chip V.
s/v Sand Dollar
eBay is even too low budget for me... I’ve used epoxy barrier coat for pools but I bought it from a James T Davis paint store and I knew the guy selling it to me. Sherwin-Williams prob also carries it.
 
Jan 4, 2006
7,174
Hunter 310 West Vancouver, B.C.
Has anyone used system 3 i think it's called?
System Three is my go-to for high end exterior woodworking on the boat but I've never seen it used as a barrier coat for FG hulls. But yes, it claims no amine blush. I have no idea how it would react while still green when hit with the first application of bottom coat paint :yikes: :mad: ! Or maybe even worse.

One thing I've learned over the years is that the high price of doing a boat job properly is very quickly forgotten. The unsightly errors of cutting corners to save a few bucks is NEVER forgotten each time you look at it and regret it. And you NEVER think about all the money you saved by doing such a crappy job.
 
Jan 11, 2014
12,746
Sabre 362 113 Fair Haven, NY
System Three is my go-to for high end exterior woodworking on the boat but I've never seen it used as a barrier coat for FG hulls. But yes, it claims no amine blush. I have no idea how it would react while still green when hit with the first application of bottom coat paint :yikes: :mad: ! Or maybe even worse.

One thing I've learned over the years is that the high price of doing a boat job properly is very quickly forgotten. The unsightly errors of cutting corners to save a few bucks is NEVER forgotten each time you look at it and regret it. And you NEVER think about all the money you saved by doing such a crappy job.
A cheap job is always costs more. First you spend money on the cheap product, then you remove it and use the correct product which no doubt has gone up in price. Do it right, do it once.

There are places where you can get buy with a cheap product, a bottom job is not one of them.
 
Sep 4, 2007
776
Hunter 33.5 Elbow, Saskatchwen, Can.
if this is a steel keel like my H34 whatever you choose to do the primer has to be applied the same day as the keel sand blasting or it will start to oxidize/rust and whatever coating you do will not adhere well. I had to do mine twice, very expensive mistake

hope this helps
Would you use a rust converter before applying the primer?
Thanks