VC-17 - How many coats?

[Ken Honeycutt]

Getting ready for the annual bottom coat with VC-17. Just noticed that they recommend 2 to 3 coats. The last 2 years since I've been using this paint I've only spread one coat. At the price they want for this paint I'm looking at over $500 for 2 coats. Not that I'm on a real tight budget but this is getting a little hard to swallow with the prices of everything else going up. I didn't seem to have any problems with just one coat but I wondered what others experiences are.

 

[Rob Hessenius]

VC-17

Ken- I put two coats on the first application when I switched to VC. Now, I just roll on one coat and try to double coat the leading edges each season.

 

[higgs]

One for me

I have always used one coat and will continue to do so.

 

[Hugh McCully]

Squeeze Bottle?

Tom, from the amount you used under windy, hot conditions, I wonder if you manage the volatility of VC-17 with a squeeze bottle? Get an old ketchup bottle (or similar), one with a removable top so you can fill it with VC-17, and one that has a small hole which severely limits the amount of evaporation of the VC-17 solvent. Squeeze VC-17 onto the roller, just enough to replenish the roller and not leave much, if any in the tray. The VC-17 seems to go further this way. I use about a can and a half on my H-28. The tray is a place to put the roller when you take a break, not a place to put VC-17

 

[jimq26]

I've used VC17 for over 15 years - 1 coat only

That squeeze bottle idea sounds pretty good.

 

[Jim]

One.....

keep it thin becuase it help keep the paint from building up.

 

[Pat T]

Buy VC17 at Crowley's

They have this annual event called Yachtapalooza. This year it is March 29. They usually have a big discount on this paint. They sell tons of it that day. Last year was I went for first time and it was worth the drive. They have other activities that day too.

 

[Ken Honeycutt]

One coat and a squeeze bottle

Thanks for the responses - squeeze bottle sounds like a good idea considering how fast that stuff evaporates. Now if only we could shake off this never ending winter.Note to Pat - I actually store my boat at Crowleys. Stopped by yesterday to price their VC-17. It's up to $53 a quart off their shelf. I noticed that you can still buy it for around $45 a can on various online retailers, but then you have to pay shipping (still avoid the sales tax though which has just gone up thanks to the Cook county crooks).

 

[tom ehmke]

one coat

Get a 320z. spray bottle and mix the vc17 in it. Spray and roll with a small roller (not sure if I used a 4" or 7") Spray and roll, spray and roll... you get the idea. Don't throw anything away. The spray bottle will work until the pump wears out, and the roller will loosen up shortly after you start rolling next time. I read this on the Cat 30 website last spring and used it last summer on the bottom of my '83 Mark I. It worked just as described on the website. I stored everything in a storage bag. I launched in July (long story) and used 3 quarts to do two coats in hot weather. Absolutely no waste once you get the technique down. Similar to the ketchup bottle idea, but this way you can spray at an upward angle.

 

[Pat T]

Price will be $37.95 for VC-17

per Crowley's brochure listed on their web site for this one day event.

 

[Canukwi]

One coat per season.

Like some others that have written, I put on one coat per season and it does fine. I'm sure I could skip a season if I had to. I get by with about 1-1/2 cans,using a 1" by 6" roller. Takes about an hour on a thirty footer. Note that I'm on fresh water however.