ruder paint?

[fred1diver]

hi everyone, I was wondering what kind of paint you use to paint your rudder, my new to me dolphin 23 needs some tlc and I'm wondering what kind of paint to use, the PO used some ablative bottom coat paint, is this the right paint for the job? or what should I use instead???
thanks in advance
FRED

 

[Chief RA]

Epoxy, but if used in saltwater use ablative from waterline down, Chief

 

[Joe]

I'd stay with the ablative...

 

[Chief RA]

Spend your money Joe! Chief

 

[Doc_holiday]

I just use bottom paint but I do try to pull my rudder up when in the slip.

 

[Chief RA]

Doc: How will it help to retract your keel? It's still in the same water! Chief

 

[Doc_holiday]

This is about painting a rudder. Did I miss something?

 

[fstbttms]

hi everyone, I was wondering what kind of paint you use to paint your rudder, my new to me dolphin 23 needs some tlc and I'm wondering what kind of paint to use, the PO used some ablative bottom coat paint, is this the right paint for the job? or what should I use instead???
thanks in advance
FRED

Are you only painting your rudder? If so, why?

Regardless, anybody who says, "Use a modified epoxy paint as opposed to an ablative simply because the boat lives in saltwater", doesn't know what he's talking about. The important thing to know is that most hard (epoxy) paints cannot withstand prolonged periods exposed to air. If you are raising your rudder or storing it off the transom for some reason, keep this in mind.

 

[Chief RA]

Sorry Doc! Got wrapped around the axle and was thinking keel rather than rudder. Sure, getting it out of the water has to help. I'll buy epoxy degrades with ultraviolet exposure but not air! It takes many years for epoxy to degrade though. My point still is: if the boat or rudder isn't left in salt water over extended periods then ablative could be an expense best averted. Just clean the trailerable boat when removed from salt or fresh water! Chief

 

[fstbttms]

Are you talking about a modified epoxy anti fouling paint? Or an epoxy barrier coat? Apples and oranges.

 

[Chief RA]

Re: rudder paint?

fstbttms: obviously this is your specialty. I am referring to the epoxy surface coat applied on most modern fibreglass boats. Call it whatever you professionally need to call it! One of my 4 degree minors (Industrial Technology BA degree) is plastic but do not converse much about the field, thus a limited professional vocabulary. Chief

 

[Doc_holiday]

The only reason I use the anti fouling bottom paint is because it matches the bottom and although it will lose its effectiveness, it's (the rudder) only in the water long enough to sail so no growth anyway. As for my keel since it was mentioned, I can't get to it in the trailer and have not bothered to mess with it under water. As far as I know it's still there because something's at the end of the lift rope I may work on stands for this winter when I get it home or I may have them set it up on stands for a couple days before launching it next spring.

 

[fstbttms]

I am referring to the epoxy surface coat applied on most modern fibreglass boats. Call it whatever you professionally need to call it!

It's not what I "need to call it", it's what it's called. It is not anti fouling paint, so when you reference it in a thread about anti fouling paint (and mention ablative anti fouling paint in the same breath) it is hard to know what exactly you are talking about. Many people confuse "epoxy barrier coat" and "modified epoxy anti fouling paint". You threw out the word "epoxy" without specifying which you meant.

 

[Crazy Dave Condon]

As a former small boat dealer, I will chime in. First, experience has shown that you will get different things occur depending on the quality of the water the boat is in. Secondly, is the rudder going to be left up out of the water or not which is another.

First, the Great Lakes now have an issue with Zebra Mussels which can grow and really attach to a hull and rudder that is constantly in the water. In fact, every boat needs to be cloroxed or chorine bath of sorts or something to kill any of the zebra mussles if taking the boat on a road trip for example to another fresh water lake that does not have that infestation. As for salt water, zebra mussels only grow in fresh water and die in salt water. The use of anit fouling paints is strongly suggested if the rudder is left down in the water all the time. In some fresh water lakes, I have seen growth on untreated rudders and hulls worse than barnicales. Again, you need to know what critters is in the water to figure on the care and protection of the hull and rudder

If the ruder is totally left up out of the water, the use of epoxy barrier coats and anti fouling paints is not needed. However, dealing with an old rudder that is pourous, then filling in those pores with a two part expoxy and then followed by an epoxy barrier coat would be suggested to prevent the occurrence of blistering. However with any epoxy barrier coat or anit fouling paint, I highly suggest the use of light colors as the darker colors will cause heat build up in the rudders causing many to split.

A lot depepends on what is in the water and what you want to do for protecting if needed.

c razy dave condon

 

[fstbttms]

However with any epoxy barrier coat or anit fouling paint, I highly suggest the use of light colors as the darker colors will cause heat build up in the rudders causing many to split.

Oh brother.

 

[Crazy Dave Condon]

FSTBTTMS;

FYI. It was manufacturers who strongly suggested if applying paints either epoxy barrier coats and/or ablative/anti fouling, apply the light colors versus the dark colors as they like me had seen rudders heat up in direct sunlight for example stored in the up position during warmer weather actually split. That would void warranty. I speak from knowledge and experience which is why I responded the way I do.

 

[fstbttms]

Moot point anyway. The OP's boat does not have a folding rudder.

 

[rufus1138]

lol op is getting entertainment and answers, u two are like an old married couple.

 

[Crazy Dave Condon]

You know, we should end this thread as Rufus made me laugh but many do not think of heat build up in swing up rudders with dark paint in the hot sun and Hunter was very serious on that point. FYI

 

[ssamac]

I paint the kick up part of my rudder with the same bottom paint as the hull even though I keep the rudder up and out of the water. (Cat 22) Just put a fresh coat each year.Note that I inspect for chips, cracks, scrapes each year and if found, I sand those clean and fix with gelcoat repair BEFORE painting with the bottom paint. Otherwise you really don't need to paint it. I use Trinidad copper bronze and so does the whole fleet because it's slick and it works on the Mississippi. Always ask the local guys about what they use
If I used an ablative I would probably not paint the rudder since it does not sit in the water and thus no growth and the ablative would slow it down a bit. Maybe. Just a thought. For me it just looks fresh and slick every year and I love that bronze bottom
ssamac