Bottom Paint

[Freestyle]

My last bottom job was almost 3 years ago. I have a diver clean it once a month and replace zincs when necessary. He reports brown algae growth and some a few barnacles but otherwise clean. I assume as the paint loses its powers he has to work a little harder but it averages out.

People here in Florida due their bottoms every year or every other year. Am I damaging anything by relying on the cleaner rather than new paint?

 

[67hat34c]

all bottom paint does is help prevent stuff from growing on the bottom, epoxy moisture barrier prevents blistering. I would say that if you dont have any significant growth then you are ok. would think that after 3 yrs you have to be getting close to a repaint. we just had ours done, they sanded down years of paint layers and smoothed out the bottom before applying new. it realy made difference in performance.

 

[Genesis]

I get about 2 years out of mine between jobs.....

If you're getting three, you had an outstanding job done in the first place.

 

[campbellde]

This may be a dumb question but how about bottom paint in fresh water?


My paint is 2 years old. Only growth is where light can get to it. Bottom stays clean. Zincs never seem to deteriorate at all.


Should I worry about the paint anyway?

 

[Genesis]

If its still good, its still good.

 

[Nonchalant1]

This may be a dumb question but how about bottom paint in fresh water?


My paint is 2 years old. Only growth is where light can get to it. Bottom stays clean. Zincs never seem to deteriorate at all.


Should I worry about the paint anyway?

I have 3 year old ablative paint in freshwater - no problems, algae scum washes off when hauled and pressure washed. I'm repainting this witer because I'm going into saltwater next year.

Doug Shuman

 

[Maynard Rupp]

We use VC-17. It NEVER builds up or has to be removed. 1 coat each year and we never have anything on the hull when hauled in fall. We stripped all the old gook off and used Interprotect 2000. 7 coats plus 2 ,(first year only) of VC-17. This process has become the standard for a great, easy to maintain bottom treatement in the Detroit area. I am told it is also great in salt water. Some shy away from using a paint that must be re-coated yearly. This whole job takes 2 hours each year. Wash the bottom or wipe with windex and roll on 1 coat with a foam roller. The stuff is as thin as water and has no buildup.

 

[SKYCHENEY]

The guy who pressure washed the bottom of our boat this year at haul-out said, "Oh, VC, why doesn't everybody use this stuff?" Apparently, he was quite happy with how easily it cleaned up.

 

[jim rosenthal]

Can VC be applied over other types of paints or does the bottom need to be sanded clean? I'm thinking about it for next spring. I have ablative paint on right now, Micron Extra, I think.

 

[Maynard Rupp]

Jim, I am really not sure. It has a laquer like base and the rest is powder that you add. Make sure you get the red top can, not the blue top. It has more good stuff in it. The stuff comes in original, blue, and red. Reality both the original and blue look the same. They start out copper color then turn dark grey. I guess the blue might have a slight blue tint. The red turns out a yucky pink. I have never tried it over other paint as we have always stripped all the gook off, barrier coated, then applied the VC-17.

 

[OldHatt45]

As one who has stripped 25 coats of bottom paint off the hull of my 45, I'm all for minimizing build up. What I did when I cleaned my hull was to put on a coat of Red Micron Extra, then 2 coats of Blue. WHen I start to see Red, I know it's time to put another coat of BLue on. SO far I have only needed to put on 2 coats in 6 years.

Can the VC be Used over Micron or Micron Extra?

Thanks

OldHatt45

 

[captddis]

Does anyone have the VC on a boat in the south in saltwater?

 

[Banshee36]

I use the micron extra here in Maryland. I get a little scum on the waterline, the wear areas , struts and rudders have to be recoated in the spring. I suppose I use one quart of paint a season since the bottom job 3 years ago.
I am happy with the Micron csc.
JW