Hi Forum: I Need some direction on a problem that I may have caused myself over the weekend. I've spent several hours this past Sunday sanding the bottom of my Catalina 27 to get it ready for painting, etc. The previous owners just slopped on paint, so I thought I would try to do the right thing and put a little extra work into making things right. Unfortuantely, I might have made a few mistakes and need to know how to correct them. While sanding through the layers of bottom paint, I came to a white area. In some places, I managed (with little effort) to go through the white to a light blue. In only a few areas (talking an inch or so), I see some tan. I've only managed to sand about 1/4 of the bottom (using 80 grit and an orbital sander). Now after talking to a few people, I'm concerned that I may have gone through to far, and now need to seal or make extra efforts to correct what is a major problem. Can someone please help me figure out how much damage I've done, and what I can do to correct it. There are only a few spots here and there where I see blue or blue and tan. Thanks for your help in advance.
Sanding problem; damage? (help)
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Sanding into the gelcoat
Sounds like you have sanded heavily into the gelcoat (white area). If the boat has never been barrier coated to protect against blisters, now would be a good time to do it. In fact, now that you have cut into the gelcoat you really SHOULD barrier coat. You just have the rest of the bottom paint to take off! Interlux has a good write-up on how to apply it that you can get in most marine stores that carry their products as does West Marine.
Sounds like you have sanded heavily into the gelcoat (white area). If the boat has never been barrier coated to protect against blisters, now would be a good time to do it. In fact, now that you have cut into the gelcoat you really SHOULD barrier coat. You just have the rest of the bottom paint to take off! Interlux has a good write-up on how to apply it that you can get in most marine stores that carry their products as does West Marine.
Marine Tex
I would agree with the previous post, but rememebr, if you barrier coat you are committed to removing ALL the bottom paint. It's a lot of work and maybe more than you bargined for. None the less, an epoxy barrier coat is a good idea, I did it on a 21 footer I owned many years ago. Interlux is a good product. A quick fix to your problem should you decide not to sand the entire bottom this year is to slap on some Marine Tex 2 part epoxy. This stuff dries hard, is water proof and sandable/paintable. Most marine supply stores carry it. Slap it on, sand smooth, and your ready to go. Good luck.
I would agree with the previous post, but rememebr, if you barrier coat you are committed to removing ALL the bottom paint. It's a lot of work and maybe more than you bargined for. None the less, an epoxy barrier coat is a good idea, I did it on a 21 footer I owned many years ago. Interlux is a good product. A quick fix to your problem should you decide not to sand the entire bottom this year is to slap on some Marine Tex 2 part epoxy. This stuff dries hard, is water proof and sandable/paintable. Most marine supply stores carry it. Slap it on, sand smooth, and your ready to go. Good luck.
You may be right
You are right. I spent another 9 hours this weekend sanding away. It would take me weeks at this rate to sand all of the paint off the bottom. I will go back and either one step seal or two step seal the three or four two or three inches areas where I hit some grey. Then cover it with bottom paint. Frusterating and exhausting few weekends. I'm burned out of sanding.
You are right. I spent another 9 hours this weekend sanding away. It would take me weeks at this rate to sand all of the paint off the bottom. I will go back and either one step seal or two step seal the three or four two or three inches areas where I hit some grey. Then cover it with bottom paint. Frusterating and exhausting few weekends. I'm burned out of sanding.
Don't worry about it..
Stripping down all the bottom paint with a palm sander on a C30 is a huge job. Just patch it up. Make sure you use an epoxy patch. Epoxy is water proof. Patch it up, sand it smooth, paint and enjoy sailing!
Stripping down all the bottom paint with a palm sander on a C30 is a huge job. Just patch it up. Make sure you use an epoxy patch. Epoxy is water proof. Patch it up, sand it smooth, paint and enjoy sailing!
Did you talk to Mr. Moneybags?
Hi BeachPunk! I was checking out Stargazer on Sunday. I can't believe how much sanding that you have done. It's looking nice. Why don't you send "our friend' an email and ask for his opinion. Yes, he loves to spend our money, but I have also found that he is honest and will not recommend a repair if not needed. You've got my number - otherwise see you soon. Mike
Hi BeachPunk! I was checking out Stargazer on Sunday. I can't believe how much sanding that you have done. It's looking nice. Why don't you send "our friend' an email and ask for his opinion. Yes, he loves to spend our money, but I have also found that he is honest and will not recommend a repair if not needed. You've got my number - otherwise see you soon. Mike
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