How much is too much! (bottom paint)

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Steve

I've been annually bottom painting my 94 H26 since new, with West Marine’s “Bottom Pro Plus” (67%Cuprous Oxide). Normally one coat does it, and moor 5 months in saltwater (New England), with several light in water bushings late in the season. ** HOW MUCH build-up of old paint is normal before a full removal to the gel coat layer is required?? Thanks in Advance
 
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Bucky Sherman

Bottom paint decisions

Steve, Everyone has there own preference to the type of bottom paint they use and methods of application vary, so I'll just state my mind and leave it to your own judgement. 1st off for the type of boat you have and the seasonal useage you have described you should consider using an ablative type bottom paint. This paint will go a long way towards solving some of the up coming headaches you are going to have when time to scrape off the build up aquired over the past many seasons. Unlike a conventional paint, this paint remains effective while hauled out on the trailer. Just wet it down and give a light scrubbing with a scotch brite pad before launching, and the paint is just as effective as it was when you hauled out at the end of the last season. Check the west advisor in their catalog for a more detailed explanation. I use Pettit acp-50 on my boat today and have gone as many as three seasons without recoating! The great part is when it is time to repaint there is not anywhere near as much sanding to do! The removal of your existing paint will be a big chore, but even if you stick with that coventional paint your going to have to strip it down and start over again before to long anyway. Check out that West advisor and check for other replies to your post. I think there will be others to back me up later. Good Luck, Bucky Sherman
 
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Paul Akers

Worth the effort

Steve, I started using ablative paint (Micron CSC) 5 seasons ago on my L37. I had to sand the old paint down to the barrier coat to do it properly. I initially used 3 coats of paint. The first coat was my marker coat (red) and two coats of blue. Last year the marker started showing in some places, so I knew it was time to recoat. I did one coat of blue last spring. I don't think I'll need one this spring. The initial sanding was a bear, but the rewards are now being felt each year as I don't have to use 2-3 weekends to prepare the bottom, now.
 

Rick

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Oct 5, 2004
1,098
Hunter 420 Passage San Diego
Time to scrape

Sounds like its time to scrape and sand the bottom. I started fresh with Micron CSC last year. So far so good. Looking forward to no bottom paint this year. Probably a good idea to put on an epoxy barrier coat if you decide to take the old paint off. Make sure you cover your skin and wear a resperator when removing old paint.
 
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Dave Condon

Bottom paint

Check with West Marine as they sell a product I believe from Micron where you apply to the paint surface and can be scraped off. Better than sanding by far but if you do sand, make sure to hose off the boat and any other boats nearby so the dust will not settle into the gel or you will have fun cleaning topsides If you apply epoxy barrier coatings, make sure that you let the hull dry thourghly first so you will not trap any water content in the glass and gel.
 
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