Zyrex bottom coatings

Carver370 said:
Talk to somebody at your yard and see it the can tell what is on it.

A simple test you can do yourself is to rub it with a white cloth or your hand. If your hand or the cloth transfers paint with it its probably an ablative paint, if not its probably a hard epoxy paint. The hard epoxy type paint is noticeable how much thicker it appears on the bottom.

I believe interlux has a diagram on their site that shows which paints are compatible with each other when repainting.
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Thanks for that info. I will try that. Based on what you wrote I am betting that the paint is a hard epoxy type and not ablative. My 270 has ablative and the red bottom wears off on my shirt, skin etc every time I touch it. Haven't seen that happen when I have touched the 400EC. I will check that out in the next few days.
Thanks again.
 
"Bump"

Been a month or more since the last post here. Just wondering if anyone has obtained anymore info on this product....any more experiences using it?

I've recently been in contact with Zyrex myself.

I have to do SOMETHING this spring. And I am considering this but......

Unfortunately....the old "if it sounds too good to be true" adage keeps haunting me.
 
I looked over the Zyrex on the boat and looks good. I had some green slime growth on the transom. When I take the boat out for a drive, it seems to clean off pretty good. I still have the top end speed. The zyrex has been on for a couple of months now. I have my boat scheduled for the divers to clean my hull within the next week or two. They are going to examine the hull/paint and wipe off any growth. I will report their findings and how hard/easy it was for them to clean. This paint is not the "cure all." It has no anti-fouling properties. So stuff will grow until you drive the boat or wipe it down. I am still happy with the choice and will be continually updating. If anyone else wants to talk to the boatyard folks or anyone else about the paint, do not hesitate to PM me. Summer will be here in no time!!!!
 
thanks for the update tleeah....


"It has no anti-fouling properties. So stuff will grow until you drive the boat or wipe it down. "

Actually....I could live with this.

I'm in fresh water.Plan on using the boat fairly frequently. Where we boat....we have some nice shallow sandy bays where many drop anchor....jump in with a beer in one hand and a scrub brush in the other and clean boat bottoms. I can think of worse ways to spend a couple hours on a nice warm sunny day. :grin:
 
Old Vet said:
thanks for the update tleeah....


"It has no anti-fouling properties. So stuff will grow until you drive the boat or wipe it down. "

Actually....I could live with this.

I'm in fresh water.Plan on using the boat fairly frequently. Where we boat....we have some nice shallow sandy bays where many drop anchor....jump in with a beer in one hand and a scrub brush in the other and clean boat bottoms. I can think of worse ways to spend a couple hours on a nice warm sunny day. :grin:
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Funny, we do the same thing here at the sand flats on our lake. It is quite fun. :smt038
 
Oh yes...and by the way....the slip I rent...for $100.00 per month...:smt038....also has slings for me to lift my boat up and out when not being used. :grin::thumbsup:

Sooooooo.....what that means is.....more beer drinking and "sight seeing"....and less scrubbing when anchored in that sandy bay.
 
I contacted Zyrex about bottom painting and becoming an application guy for them. I'll talk on this some other time.

As for the paint. The owner told me that they have boats that have had it on for over 10 years with no noticeable wear. I have also spoken with a couple of guys that have used it (one in TX) and they love it. The Texas chap is going to open up a distribution point for them.
All and all everyone likes it and the idea of not doing their boat bottom for a while, like years, sounds good. Plus, the increase speed and handling.
Hope that helps...........
 
testimonials are good..and can be helpful in decision making.

thank you. :thumbsup:

I tried to call them today with a question but got no answer. Not sure if they've locked up shop for a few days or what?

I was told by them yesterday that they were getting ready for a northern Illinois boat show....something like 3-6 March I believe. So they may have shut down to go there.
 
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Old Vet said:
Oh yes...and by the way....the slip I rent...for $100.00 per month...:smt038....also has slings for me to lift my boat up and out when not being used. :grin::thumbsup:

Sooooooo.....what that means is.....more beer drinking and "sight seeing"....and less scrubbing when anchored in that sandy bay.
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That's perfect. Just anchor, put sunglasses on, get in water, pop the tab on the can, and pretend your cleanning the hull with a rag. This way it will look like you are working on the boat. :grin:
 
Old Vet - I do know that they are trying to market their business so the possibility that they are at a boat show could be right. I know they told me they would be doing some.
I also know they have been doing this for some 18 years. Hence, he can't tell you really how long b/c the paint is still on the boats and so they are still waiting to see a bottom that needs to be redone.
 
I decided against it for my new boat.

Can't find any one I know locally whose heard of it or can vouch for it's performance in New England's cold salty water. I'd be a complete guinea pig as far as application goes, as the dealer and my local boat yard have never applied it (nor anyone else in the area I can find). The dealer said they'd give it a try, but since they'd never used it before were a little apprehensive and couldn't really guaranty it.
I'm not going to push the local pro's to apply something they are not completely comfortable with.

Sounds like a promising product - maybe in a few years it will make it up here and I'll revisit it. The company doesn't really seem to be making much of a marketing effort up here - I imagine they have their hands full down in the TX area and will hopefully spread out from there over time. It's actually a better business model for growth. If they jumped into a nationwide marketing campaign they might bite off more than they could chew and run into problems associated with overly aggressive growth (the business kind that is, not the stuff on the bottom of our boats).

hmmm - think I'll spend the $$ on some new electronics instead.
 
"Bump"

Hope no one minds me trying to keep this thread active.

Perhaps there's more input available.

I'm seriously considering being the first "guinea pig" in my area to try this product.
 
Old Vet said:
"Bump"

Hope no one minds me trying to keep this thread active.

Perhaps there's more input available.

I'm seriously considering being the first "guinea pig" in my area to try this product.
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Old Vet - Not a "guinea pig".
I just got back from our marina. While there I was talking about using Zyrex paint. My friend told me that another guy has it on his boat. We walked up to take a look at it. Smooth as glass.
Later the owner of the boat was there. So I asked him about it. He has owned the boat for 7 years and has not painted the bottom, yet. I can tell you that the way it looks - he won't be doing it this year either.
He bought the boat with the bottom already painted. Bought it used. I remember the first year he pulled it how effort less it was to clean the bottom with the pressure washer. Almost no work. I thought it was that way because it was rather new. Not the case - It's b/c of Zyrex.
I have just left a message for a Soda Blaster for a quote.
Seeing it today was enough for me to make my decision. I want mine done and done soon.
Hope that helps some.
Good Luck
 
Searaybio270...

Thanks for that info.

I think I'll be calling them today with a question or two that I have.....and may very well be ordering some.

Last I spoke with them a week or so ago they told me they have a temporary special offer on at $199 a gallon and that my boat would need 2 gallons.

That was significantly less than what I was told at West Marine that I would need to epoxy coat and prime and paint my bottom...they had me heading towards the $1000 mark....and perhaps beyond.

A large enough difference to warrant my taking a shot at this product I think. We'll see.
 
Old Vet said:
Searaybio270...

Thanks for that info.

I think I'll be calling them today with a question or two that I have.....and may very well be ordering some.

Last I spoke with them a week or so ago they told me they have a temporary special offer on at $199 a gallon and that my boat would need 2 gallons.

That was significantly less than what I was told at West Marine that I would need to epoxy coat and prime and paint my bottom...they had me heading towards the $1000 mark....and perhaps beyond.

A large enough difference to warrant my taking a shot at this product I think. We'll see.
Click to expand...


OV - Don't forget, unless the bottom is already clear, you will need to have it soda blasted. I have a call in to the soda blaster. Hope I hear today. The price is good at $200 per. With you needing two and may not have to paint for 7 to 10 years that's nice. I suspect I will need around 4 to 6 gallons for the 40 footer.
Keep me posted as you forward with this project.
 
I heard one quote for the soda blasting here and it was absolutely NASTY!!!

So.......it appears I'll be doing lots of sanding this spring.....which is going to be necessary anyway no matter what product I use.

Was in west Marine this morning for a couple of things and got reminded of the cost if I were to go with all of their Interlux products.

This Zyrex is looking better and better all the time. In all likelihood.....I will be the first here in my area to use it.
 
Searaybio270 said:
OV - Don't forget, unless the bottom is already clear, you will need to have it soda blasted. I have a call in to the soda blaster. Hope I hear today. The price is good at $200 per. With you needing two and may not have to paint for 7 to 10 years that's nice. I suspect I will need around 4 to 6 gallons for the 40 footer.
Keep me posted as you forward with this project.
Click to expand...

I'm going to pass on it this season but I am very curious to hear how much it makes a difference on your 400 EC. I will be soda blasting next fall and I'm looking at all my options, that is if I still have this boat!
 
Well.....I just finished a very long talk with Michelle at Zyrex. She answered all the questions I had and.......I placed my order...to be shipped tomorrow.

Truth be told....even though information for the most part seems to be a little sporadic coming in about the product...I for some reason have a fairly warm and fuzzy feeling.

So...we'll see I guess. I'll chronicle the process here and report as things develop after I begin my bottom coating project. She wants pictures of my undertaking as well to post on their website too I believe.

Wish me luck.
 
I just read through this entire thread again. I'll try to answer a few of the questions posed here as best I can...with info given to me by Michelle at Zyrex.

Sell to the public?

Yes...I ordered today and got an e-mail back already advising my order will be shipped tomorrow.

Cost?

$199.00 per gallon. She told me this was something of a "special offer" that wasn't going to last forever.....didn't say how long though or what the price may go to.

Hull Prep:

Lots of options out there from soda blasting, to sand blasting, to DIY sanding.

My hull has never had a barrier coat applied. Years of Interlux Blue ablative anti fouling paint.

I pressure washed it last faall removing almost all of the old paint. There is still a little left that I always intended to sand...no matter what bottom treatment I used.

It appears that my gelcoat has over the years perhaps absorbed a bit of the paint that's been used on it.

I asked if I need to get right down to a bare white gelcoat again and I was told "no". I think if I tried to get rid of all the last bit of blue tint/discoloration from the paint....I'd be removing damn near all my gelcoat. She said "no real need to go that far".

She told me they sand using 40 grit paper to "rough it up" enabling the Zyrex to better adhere to it. Suggested that perhaps I could use 80 grit if I wish....but not to go finer. Don't want the gelcoat to be totally smooth...it needs a bit of texture to adhere properly to the gelcoat.

Bottom line....remove all the paint I can....rough it up with 40-80 grit...clean with acetone or solvent...and begin rolling on the thin coats of the Zyrex. Allowing appropriate drying times between coats.

Colors:

Black, blue, a red of some sort...think she said one other but can't remember for sure.

Removal:

I'm told it's so hard when cured it may have to be ground off. Apparently it's awful tough stuff. However.... IF....it performs as advertised...I'm not sure why anyone would want to remove it.

Re-Application:

Initially I was advised that 4 coats should do my boat. Then when talking with Michelle...she suggested that 5 coats would be better because of the blue color I'm going to use. She stated that it's somewhat transluscent....so in order to get the best finish possible...5 coats would likely be needed.

I asked if I could just apply 4 coats...and if I wasn't satisfied....could I apply the 5th coat next year. She said "yes but"....."there would be another prep process necessary to ensure the 4th coat from this year properly accepted the 5th coat next year"......"therefore it would be better to simply go with the full 5 coats this season".

Painting over it:

Not sure. didn't ask.

Anyway....hope this info helps.
 
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Well, I just had my Zyrex coated bottom cleaned by the diver at the marina. He said it took him less than 20 minutes to complete. All he used was a sponge. He said on the sun side (starboard) water line needed a little more "elbow grease" than the rest, but was really easy. He was astounded, because he had just cleaned a 25ft sailboat that took him almost 2 hours. It looks really good. That was the first cleaning this paint job has had. The Zyrex has been on for almost 3 months in 10 days. I hope this report helps, I still have the speed and really happy with the paint.:smt038
 
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