bottom paint removal

[catman115]

Its almost gettin that time again.. Getting the boat ready for the season. I'm sure this thread has been covered b4. I want to change the bottom paint color from blue to black. Should i scrape off what is easy and paint over the rest ??or strip the whole thing down ?? I know that sanding is a major pain in the keester..

[Reel Smoker]

Personally I would use an oven cleaner like Mr Muscle it takes it all of ,but if its not to built up with paint you can sand it ,but the oven cleaner works very good.

[catman115]

Really ?? oven cleaner ? will it go through a few coats of paint without harming the gel coat ?? I guess multiple applications will be required. What about the thick viscosity paint removers for wood painted surfaces ?? I'll read the can when i get home tonite..I'll definately stop by the grocery and pick up some oven spray.

[Rich]

I tried a can of easyoff oven cleaner, didn't even make dent. It must only work on certain kinds of bottom paint.

[ScottM]

Catman,
If you don't have a lot of paint buildup already, you can go right over the existing paint (assuming you're using the same type). A few seasons ago, we stripped my father's SC with Stripeez (sp?), a paint remover meant for wood. It worked really well, but don't let direct sunlight hit it while it's on the hull, it will soften the gel coat!! It happened to us - a 1" square section at the water line got hit with sunlight and the gel coat got a little goopy. Luckily we caught it in time to prevent any real damage.

[Scott]

Is the existing paint in relatively good shape and what kind is it ?? ....

Have you thought of putting an ablative paint on the boat ?? Using the blue as an indicator as to when more black is needed

[catman115]

The existing paint is not bad. some peeling here and there. The boat sat out all of last season due to the birth of my twin boys. The paint is the copper based ablative from post marine. If I'm not mistaken don't the manufacturers recommend that freshly painted surfaces should not be exposed for more than 2 weeks ? I think the air compromises some of the chemical integrity. That being said, since my boat sat dry for the season I don't know if I have to strip since I'm changing colors. I'm probably making a mountain out of a mole here on this one.. gimmie a roller !!!!!

[Scott]

Well I'm not familiar with "Post Marine" bottom paint ( bet its Interlux in a different can)
But a copolymer ablative paint allows for season to season use with out recoating (as long as there is still paint on the surface) since it "washes" away during use .... your constantly getting fresh protection ....as long as you use the boat. The copoly ablatives can come in and out of the water with out harming the anti fouling properties (they do however scuff up very easily ....hence the suggestion for a different color underneath you finish coat color to see when its time to touch up) .. initial coating is usually like 3 coats

A "hard" bottom paint (i.e. modified epoxys) Does suffer from extended periods exposed to air ....and after a winter of sitting out generally need to be recoated to get the proper protection. Its a more "brittle" finish and will chip if it wasn’t applied properly.... generally boats painted with this stuff need to see the water within a month (that varies from a couple days to 2 months)

We have used both .... which is better... I don’t think we ever came to a conclusion about that ....the ablative would wear away ....but never chipped away .... the hard stuff ...if not prepped right would chip and needed to be recoated every year

Hard paints build up season after season .....ablatives gradually wear away ....so the build up isn’t the same

The easiest way is to paint over what you have …naturally. If it really needs attention strip it, fix any blister, barrier coat it, and paint it ( this is what they do in the boat yards here)

Boat yards …. Typically they will put on the hard stuff …..its cheaper … if you want different you tell them what you want and pay.


Compatibility chart for Interlux anitfouling

[catman115]

scott....
thanks for the info on the paints. since i only fool around with this stuff once a year i have to think about for a second. i'll clean up what i have and recoat with black..

[Dave Hirshberg]

What Scott Said.
Don't waste your time with sprays or goop, it just makes a mess.