Purchased a used boat that was bottom painted. The dealer thought it was VC17. Does anyone know a way to identify a bottom paint (it is a hard paint not ablative). I understand one of the problems with VC 17 is that you cannot use a different paint over it
Identifying bottom paint
- Thread starter Captn TJ
- Start date
What's wrong with staying with VC17?
Are you sailing in water not suitable for VC17?
We used it for 8 years. Easy to put on, very fast and no build up.
Last about 3 summer seasons.
Are you sailing in water not suitable for VC17?
We used it for 8 years. Easy to put on, very fast and no build up.
Last about 3 summer seasons.
Sometimes it is tough to identify the bottom paint the po used. VC will be smooth with a greyish color. It will also easily sand off so check a small area. If you are in cold water, stay with it as it is very low maintenance and will last two years or more with a touch up.
This is for a small powerboat that I tow and keep in the water in the Florida Keys. This year I had lots of barnacles after two months so I want to better protect the bottom. VC 17 is a fairly common bottom paint where I sail on the Great Lakes but then our worst problem is slime/algae and not barnacles.
I found that a quick phone call to Interlux answered most of my questions. They were extremely helpful. Take a picture and forward it to them via e-mail as well as the characteristics, will any of it rub off when you press your palm across the surface for instance, how easy does it sand, does it flake off in large chunks...
There is a bottom paint that will coat over any and all existing paints but it does leave a buildup, not preferable if speed is required. I sand-blasted everything off last year and rebuilt mine from scratch, Interprotect 2000 through to VC17 (Fresh-water sailor)
Good luck.
+1
VC 17 has really lousy anti fouling properties and is only suitable for use in freshwater or VERY low fouling saltwater.
A quick way to tell if it's VC or a similar Petit product is to take a rag dampened with alcohol and wipe a spot. The spot will have a copper shine. It's great bottom paint in fresh water, useless in saltwater. More than likely, the bottom paint will have to be stripped or media blasted before changing paint.
When investigating a replacement, remember that many bottom paints are not formulated for boats that are stored on trailers. They lose their effectiveness if they are out of the water for any length of time. In addition, ablatives will scuff off as the bottom is dragged across trailer bunks and rollers.
When investigating a replacement, remember that many bottom paints are not formulated for boats that are stored on trailers. They lose their effectiveness if they are out of the water for any length of time. In addition, ablatives will scuff off as the bottom is dragged across trailer bunks and rollers.