How many coats of Bottom Paint

[Kreole Kid]

Just wondering how many coats should be applied. The previous job was perfect when I hauled out a month ago but I was told that being out of the water that long (over a month) I should do a bottom job. The insurance company sprang for it and I opted to upgrade the paint to Interlux epoxy cop. The marina told me after the sanding process, one coat is all they do. Does this sound right:huh:.

I also took into account that the water here is brackish water so the salinity is not as high as say Florida, where the boat came from.

Any thoughts?:smt100

 

[rcknecht]

One is all anyone does up here and we are in salt water...

 

[NCBoater]

Follow the specific directions on the can of the paint manufacturer. Pettit, Trinidad requires two coats.

 

[Oldsman]

One is all I did. Thats all that is needed.

 

[tobnpr]

One coat isn't gonna cut it.
Your yard was correct in that modified epoxy bottom paints lose their effectiveness if left on the hard for too long- usually around a month.

Once that happens, it's like having no bottom paint at all. The "standard" with bottom jobs is 2 coats with a 3rd coat at the waterline. Any less than that, and you'll be hauling out for a re-do next year instead of getting the usual two years out of it.

If the boat is hauled and stored annually (like up in the frigid North), you're best going with an ablative paint that won't need to be re-done after haul-outs.

 

[douglee25]

I usually do 2 per the manufacturer's recommendation. I use a multi-year ablative, but I do paint the water line every year as a touch up.

Doug

 

[Lazy Daze]

I have heard/read, but do not know this to be true...

After being out for a while, could one just lightly scuff the surface with a fine sanding pad? Then, either put it back in the water, or just give it one coat?

I'm curious if there is any merit to this?

 

[rcknecht]

I use the one coat of ablative paint each year... My thought is since I pull it each year why put on more that will come off in a year, and require paint removal down the road... You had it painted this year already. They are sanding it and adding another coat... If you ask them for two coats, it will probably come out of your pocket...

 

[ohsnow]

I just did my 350 dancer and was covering bluw with black.....
took 1.5 coats to get good coverage....
The blue was smooth but wearing very low so the change was due....

 

[jcastle]

You only need to repaint your bottom paint if it is "Hard" bottom paint and out of the water longer than 72 hours. Ablative bottom paints can be out for months and can be pressure washed/ lightly scuffed and put back in the water.

Here is the reason: The copper in the paint oxidizes when exposed to air. Oxidized copper is ineffective for preventing marine growth. Hard bottom paint is just that, "hard" when the outerlayer is oxidized - its done, over, no good! The paint will no longer prevent growth.

Ablative bottom paint wears away much like a bar of soap. This constantly exposes new, fresh, unoxidized copper. So once you leave your boat out for an extended period, and pressure wash, lightly scuff, or run the boat...you will expose fresh copper that will protect against growth.

So if you are painting with hard bottom paint....you only need one coat. If you are painting with an ablative paint it is a good idea to do two coats+. Especially, if you want to have multi-season performance!