VC17 Recoat Prep

[Project_Mayhem]

The yard didn't get all of the crap off of the bottom. What remains looks like a thin film of white mud in key areas. I can scratch it off with a fingernail. Today I tried a scotchbrite pad. It worked but it took way too long. It sort of burnished it. I think I need something more course.

I used to just do touch ups but found a full recoat produces noticeable performance differences. How much prep do you do before re-coating? What do you use for your prep? Does burnishing work as well as re-coating?

 

[LakeOntario270]

I use my mouse sander with 120 grit paper and go over the whole bottom. This will take off any dirt and prep the surface for a new coat of VC17.

 

[Dalliance]

I had the same thing happen a couple years ago. A dry scotch pad was too slow, scotch pad with water was a mess and made it harder to see what I was trying to remove. I ended up using my small orbital sander with mesh sanding pads. Don’t recall the grit, but it was probably on the finer side. Will try to check today and update later.

To prep for recoating this year, I had my diver clean the hull last fall about two days before haulout so it wouldn’t matter how thorough the yard was with the power sprayer. This spring I just quickly wiped down the hull with a rag dampened with a little 216 solvent. It cost me an extra $100 to not rely on the yard yacht, but saved me a lot of time and extra work.

 

[Project_Mayhem]

I had the same thing happen a couple years ago. A dry scotch pad was too slow, scotch pad with water was a mess and made it harder to see what I was trying to remove. I ended up using my small orbital sander with mesh sanding pads. Don’t recall the grit, but it was probably on the finer side. Will try to check today and update later.

To prep for recoating this year, I had my diver clean the hull last fall about two days before haulout so it wouldn’t matter how thorough the yard was with the power sprayer. This spring I just quickly wiped down the hull with a rag dampened with a little 216 solvent. It cost me an extra $100 to not rely on the yard yacht, but saved me a lot of time and extra work.

Thank you in advance for the grit! Interlux states on their website that Scotchpads are less work but just like you, I'm finding the opposite to be true.

I found that the Merka netted discs to be the best that I've tried. Using a Merka sander is also far better than my DeWalt ($700 vs $70).

I picked up an electric pressure washer for cleaning the deck and hull. I wonder if it'll make a dent on the bottom paint. I suspect it won't do much, if anything.

The diver only charged $100?! If I'm reading that correctly, that is a steel! I'd love his info.

 

[jssailem]

Looking for a Merka sander, I found MIRKA sanders. And wow, they are expensive.

Mirka DEROS is equipped with intelligent features such as a vibration sensor and Bluetooth connectivity.

Since they have Bluetooth connectivity, maybe you can just tell ALEXA the type of sanding job you want done, and she will take care of it for you.

 

[Project_Mayhem]

Alexa knows all. Alexa manages all. All your money now belongs to amazon. Also your boat too.

Yes, it is Mirka. I guess bluetooth would allow you to adjust some settings? It definitely does have some more intelligent motor controls. Your hand doesn't get tired or hurt as much afterwards.

 

[Dalliance]

Thank you in advance for the grit! Interlux states on their website that Scotchpads are less work but just like you, I'm finding the opposite to be true.

I found that the Merka netted discs to be the best that I've tried. Using a Merka sander is also far better than my DeWalt ($700 vs $70).

I picked up an electric pressure washer for cleaning the deck and hull. I wonder if it'll make a dent on the bottom paint. I suspect it won't do much, if anything.

The diver only charged $100?! If I'm reading that correctly, that is a steel! I'd love his info.

I thought I had a few disks left, but either did not or I’ve misplaced them. I think it was 120 grit. The mesh disks don’t clog up as fast. Yup, $100 for the diver. It may help that he’s based in the same harbor.

Since you have a pressure washer, you might try hosing down the hull to soften the dried on marine growth and then hitting it with the pressure washer. If it works, it’s surely less work than sanding, and without the dust.

 

[dlochner]

Over 30 years of using VC 17 on boats, I never found it necessary to sand between applications. The paint is not at all like normal paint. The solvents in the new paint will dissolve the existing paint and bond to it. End of story. Year to year I used he same roller and same roller pan. I'd put some acetone on the roller to loosen things up and start painting.

The paint is exceptionally volatile so don't pour it into a roller tray and start rolling. Use a squeeze bottler (Ketchup, sports drink, etc) to wet the roller over the roller pan and then sop up the rest and apply. Once you get the hang of it, VC 17 is the easiest paint to apply. The only reason I stopped using it was because we were headed to salt water and VC 17 doesn't work in salt water.

 

[Project_Mayhem]

Over 30 years of using VC 17 on boats, I never found it necessary to sand between applications. The paint is not at all like normal paint. The solvents in the new paint will dissolve the existing paint and bond to it. End of story. Year to year I used he same roller and same roller pan. I'd put some acetone on the roller to loosen things up and start painting.

The paint is exceptionally volatile so don't pour it into a roller tray and start rolling. Use a squeeze bottler (Ketchup, sports drink, etc) to wet the roller over the roller pan and then sop up the rest and apply. Once you get the hang of it, VC 17 is the easiest paint to apply. The only reason I stopped using it was because we were headed to salt water and VC 17 doesn't work in salt water.

It's one of the strangest paints I've ever applied but you get used to it after a few minutes.

I've applied VC over itself many times without sanding or even cleaning. I was wondering how much and cleanup of growth is necessary and what's the best technique. I've never had so much left over by the yard.

 

[dlochner]

I've applied VC over itself many times without sanding or even cleaning. I was wondering how much and cleanup of growth is necessary and what's the best technique. I've never had so much left over by the yard.

Wet it down, scrub with a stiff floor brush on a broom stick. That should take care of most of it.

 

[Project_Mayhem]

Wet it down, scrub with a stiff floor brush on a broom stick. That should take care of most of it.

I was wondering if a brush would work. Thanks for answering the questions in my head!

 

[Apex]

i used acetone soaked paper towel. fold in quarters and frequently switch to fresh section of the towel. It takes the VC away, but also anything else. Good adhesion follows.
I use a small 4" foam roller and dip directly into the VC quart container. Squeegee away the excess using the lip of the container and recover the container immediately.