Barrier Coat, to do or not to do

[The W.A.V.E.]

Hi all, a quick question on bottom paint. 5 years ago I had an epoxy barrier coat applied to a bare hull and then Interlux ablative paint applied.

Amazingly, Im just now needing to apply bottom paint again. Well, maybe a year longer than I should have waited. Anyway, is it necessary to take back down to gelcoat and reapply the barrier coat again if it still appears to have good coverage. Im doing the job myself this year and thought I could just sand the bottom paint and reapply the ablative.

Thanks for the help!

 

[hottoddie]

No need to strip the paint at all if it is still sound. Just sand, wipe down and reapply a compatible bottom paint. The barrier coat will stay on the hull indefinitely if correctly applied. BTW barrier coat is very tough and difficult to remove, you would grow old trying to sand it off.

 

[katricol]

+ 1 !!! Sand very lighly, primer if any bare spots, then put 2 coats (or more) of bottom paint. With 4 good years, I would use the same paint as last time

 

[AKBASSKING]

Look at this: http://www.yachtpaint.com/usa/diy/default.aspx

You stated you used InterLux. They told me when I get ready to reapply to do as stated above. Clean (lightly) with pressure washer and lightly sand or use one of those green scotch guard pads, then reapply InterLux.

The barrier coat, if applied right, should not have to be reapplied. Be careful though when you sand as you don't want to take it completely down to the barrier coat. When I applied the last coat of barrier to my boat, it required me to apply the first coat of bottom paint once the barrier coat was tacky (thumb test). If you sand down to the barrier coat you will have to apply another barrier coat in order to get it to stick properly.

My adventure in bottom paint:

http://clubsearay.com/showthread.php/24963-300DB-Restoration-Continues-Bottom-Paint