Our new 356's hull was painted by the dealer with 2 coats of blue Interlux Micron CSC last spring. We sailed on Lake Ontario. When we hauled in October, we noticed that, not only was there no paint under where the pads had been before launch, there was considerable discoloration, just about down to bare hull in several places, along both sides of the hull, especially along the starboard side waterline. It appears like a non-adhesion situation. The dealer is supposed to take care of this for us before launch in 2 weeks. Has any one else had problems with the bottom paint on their 356 or other 2002 Hunter, particularly those sailing on fresh water? What have you done about it?
- Status
Not too surprising.
I have watched them commission many new Hunters in my marina. Put 'em in the sling and one hour later two coats of paint and ready to launch. I have never seen them prep a bottom. All that money and no barrier coat and no primer.
I have watched them commission many new Hunters in my marina. Put 'em in the sling and one hour later two coats of paint and ready to launch. I have never seen them prep a bottom. All that money and no barrier coat and no primer.
De-Waxing
No paint under the pads, hmmm and you actually paid them money for that job, sorry to hear
Since your boat was new it has a waxy layer from the molding process (Mold Release agent). We took a friend of mines boat to a shop that actually does great work. They suggested two ways to remove that waxy residue to prep for bottom paint. First was the old method of Solvent then sanding then more solvent. The second was by using a special solvent and applying a tie-coat (ala primer) that would help the bottom paint stick. Since his boat was a trailer sailor we did not have to be concerned with using a barrier coat. But I totally agree with Ed. There should be a coat of Epoxy, followed by about 4-5 coats of Interlux 2000, followed by your bottom paint. Vaccinate your boat against the blister disease!
No paint under the pads, hmmm and you actually paid them money for that job, sorry to hear
Since your boat was new it has a waxy layer from the molding process (Mold Release agent). We took a friend of mines boat to a shop that actually does great work. They suggested two ways to remove that waxy residue to prep for bottom paint. First was the old method of Solvent then sanding then more solvent. The second was by using a special solvent and applying a tie-coat (ala primer) that would help the bottom paint stick. Since his boat was a trailer sailor we did not have to be concerned with using a barrier coat. But I totally agree with Ed. There should be a coat of Epoxy, followed by about 4-5 coats of Interlux 2000, followed by your bottom paint. Vaccinate your boat against the blister disease!Dewaxing redux
John, We had a similar situation with our 410--when new, the bottom paint flaked off in sheets. High pressure washing got it down to almost virgin hull again. Residual mold wax was definitely the problem. It's very important that the worker bees change cloths very often when using the proper dewaxing agent, or you simply smearthe residual wax around rather than removing it. You can't dewax too much! If I had it to do over again, I'd definitely apply 3 coats of a good epoxy to the clean bottom before painting. Hunter will allow sanding without voiding the hull warranty if you notify them ahead of time and use epoxy. In the long run, I believe this is more economical and prevents future headaches. Best of luck, Chris Webb
John, We had a similar situation with our 410--when new, the bottom paint flaked off in sheets. High pressure washing got it down to almost virgin hull again. Residual mold wax was definitely the problem. It's very important that the worker bees change cloths very often when using the proper dewaxing agent, or you simply smearthe residual wax around rather than removing it. You can't dewax too much! If I had it to do over again, I'd definitely apply 3 coats of a good epoxy to the clean bottom before painting. Hunter will allow sanding without voiding the hull warranty if you notify them ahead of time and use epoxy. In the long run, I believe this is more economical and prevents future headaches. Best of luck, Chris Webb
Surface prep voids the Hunter Warrantee
I have a trailerable 260 and have had the dealer repaint twice. THe hull can not be sanded of it voids the 5 yr blister warrantee. They will use a no saning primer them paint. Does not do well, specially on trailerbales or any other boat that the bottom may be disturbed.
I have a trailerable 260 and have had the dealer repaint twice. THe hull can not be sanded of it voids the 5 yr blister warrantee. They will use a no saning primer them paint. Does not do well, specially on trailerbales or any other boat that the bottom may be disturbed.
paint wear
Your absolutly right,the yard should have painted under the pads however, the fact that the paint appears worn indicates that it might not be an adhesion problem. If the hull was not properly de-waxed you would have the paint falling off exposing bare gelcoat in the areas where the wax was not completely removed or the primer coat had failed. Micron is a fairly soft paint that is designed to wear away and thus expose fresh biocide to the water. My guess is that you have experienced some abnormal wear of the paint due to skim ice that may have formed on colder nights. Considering where you keep the boat and that the problem is most notable at the waterline this might make sense.
Your absolutly right,the yard should have painted under the pads however, the fact that the paint appears worn indicates that it might not be an adhesion problem. If the hull was not properly de-waxed you would have the paint falling off exposing bare gelcoat in the areas where the wax was not completely removed or the primer coat had failed. Micron is a fairly soft paint that is designed to wear away and thus expose fresh biocide to the water. My guess is that you have experienced some abnormal wear of the paint due to skim ice that may have formed on colder nights. Considering where you keep the boat and that the problem is most notable at the waterline this might make sense.
no ice
Captain Dare, thanks for your input about the wax. The dealer has agreed (with a small financial contribution from us) to repaint the bottom and will make sure that the boat stays in the slings overnight so that the area under the pads will get two coats as it should have originally. The dealer has also agreed that, if the paint does not adhere properly, he will take it down to the gelcoat and start again. We know the problem was NOT ice, because although we sail on Lake Ontario, we don't get ice by October 15. It's cold up here in the winter but the boat is on the hard by then.
Captain Dare, thanks for your input about the wax. The dealer has agreed (with a small financial contribution from us) to repaint the bottom and will make sure that the boat stays in the slings overnight so that the area under the pads will get two coats as it should have originally. The dealer has also agreed that, if the paint does not adhere properly, he will take it down to the gelcoat and start again. We know the problem was NOT ice, because although we sail on Lake Ontario, we don't get ice by October 15. It's cold up here in the winter but the boat is on the hard by then.
- Status