Interesting Bottom paint problem

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E

Ernie

Hi, I was just down to check on my boat the other day in preparation for spring commissioning. I noticed that the bottom paint on the port side looks very good, while the starboard side is peeling and falling off. I can't figure out what could have caused this. Both sides were painted at the same time in the same weather conditions. As background, about three years ago I stripped all the bottom paint of to the gel coat using "Peel Away". I applied three coats of Micron Extra. It worked out great all summer, held up fine for winter storage in the water, and only needed a good powerwashing in the spring. The following winter it was again stored in the water, and when hauled for cleaning in the spring, was given another two coats of Micron Extra. It made it through the summer fine, and this winter the boat was stored out of water for repairs that couldn't be done in the water. As I stated earlier, this spring the paint is coming off the starboard side (right down to the gel coat), but the port side is fine. The only factor I can think of that might have anything to do with it is that in the summer the starboard side is in the sun at dock while the port side is in the shade. Does anyone have any idea what's causing this and how to remedy it? Thanks Ernie
 
M

Marshall

Bottom Paint Problems

I'm having thw same issue with the paint on my 2003 Catalina. Three coats of Micron with Biolux were applied and the paint is simply falling off the bottom. My boat is land stored and since the commissioning was part of the purchase, I'm getting a new bottom at no cost to me. Still.....have to wonder what the issue is with the paint and whether I need to change brands.
 
T

tom

could it be a north south thing???

If one side is getting pushed through more freeze/thaw, wet/dry cycles. I would imagine that wet paint going through freeze/thaw cycles might get lifted off the hull where dry paint would not be affected.
 
Dec 2, 1999
15,184
Hunter Vision-36 Rio Vista, CA.
De-wax before painting.

When a boat is built they spray the mold with release wax. This is used so the hull with the gelcoat will 'POP' of of the mold or release. This was also is used to cause the gelcoat to harden. This was MUST be removed for any paint or epoxy can be applied to the hull. If they did not dewax or did not do it properly, this is probably your cause & effect.
 
R

Rob

is it possible

That your frige is in that area??...maybe an uninsulated area causing condensation to dampen that part of the hull?? or maybe a watertank?......maybe while it is ashore condensation from inside of these areas is penatrating outwards?..... Just a thought
 
R

Randy Rohrbeck

Bottom Paint

Ernie, I believe your right about it being the sun. I've seen it before.
 
J

joe

Primer...

If the paint flakes off it is obviously not bonding to the gel coat. After de-waxing, you should apply a 2-part epoxy primer to the bare gel coat to set up a chemical bond between the bottom paint and the hull. Normally there is a time window to apply the first coat of bottom paint over the curing primer Sun or no sun...the paint was improperly applied. Make 'em do it right.
 
E

ERNIE

THANKS FOR RESPONSES

Thanks to all for your responses. I checked with Interlux Tech Support and their response was that the problem stems from unremoved contaminants on the surface prior to painting. I figure they should know, but I'm still bewildered as to why it happened to one side and not the other when they were both treated the same way. I'll try again this year with a GOOD cleaning and hope for the best.
 
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