1st Time Bottom Paint
 

Unfortunately, I have to put paint on my '83 SeaCraft as I have a slip this season. It has never been bottom painted before and I really hate to do it, but if I don't, the problems will begin.

So, here's the question. I plan on using the Interlux epoxy barrier coat system first to seal it. The I want to use a hard paint for the first coat and follow up next and following season with an ablative paint to avoid layering. Has anyone used the epoxy barrier coating before and how were your results and second, what type of paints has anyone used with either good or bad results??

Your input is of great help to me! Thanks, Gordon

Re: 1st Time Bottom Paint
 

Gordon-

Personally I dont have any experience with barrier coats...however, I have a friend that runs a restoration shop and I will ask him tomorrow.

Secondly, regarding bottom paint I think that really depends on where you live and how aggressive you need to be. Up here in Massachusetts....the bottom paint that I use (and my friend who runs the restoration shop) is MICRON CSC. It is an abalative paint that slowly wears off. It is not cheap about $150 a gallon (I think).

I've never heard of using two different types of bottom paint (hard & abalative)...however, I have heard of people using one color for the first coat and a second color for the finish coat so that they know when it is starting to wear off and time to repaint.

Re: 1st Time Bottom Paint
 

Hello Hooper-

I would check the compatability of the hard and ablative paints you are thinking about. I am not sure if they all "get along".

As for the Barrier Coat I would definitly suggest it, a two part Epoxy. From what I have learned all of the major brands are about the same but I would suggest using the same brand of bottom paint as the Barrier coat.

I think the Interlux two part Epoxy barrier and then 2 -coats of Micron CSC would be a winner for the Northeast, shopuld last a few seasons. Actually that is the system my family used on a sailboat they keep on the water year around and after 13 years there have been no problems. knock on wood" [img]images/icons/smile.gif[/img]