VC Offshore Bottom Paint

[ohiohatteras]

When I had a bottom job done 4 years ago, they put VC Offshore Bottom Paint on the hull. It has held up GREAT! I need to change the color this year due to a complete paint job and can't seem to get the same answer twice on what I need to do to prep the bottom for the new color.
Do any of you know what needs to be done? At this point the "majority" answer I have recieved is to scuff it with a red scotch brite pad and wipe it clean with solvent.
Looking for any and all $.02!!!!!

 

[Banshee36]

I would think that if you are going over the paint with the same paint the instructions would be on the can. I use Micron CSC and only paint the wear areas and waterline. The parts under water are very clean , the water line I run a da around it and wipe it down with the piant solvent and paint away. I di this year take the suggestion and painted hard paint on my struts, tranducers , strainer and rudders. I will see how that works.
JW

 

[SKYCHENEY]

I put VC on every year. I just scuff up any bad spots and wipe it down with thinner. Then roll on another coat.

 

[Genesis]

I'd give my left nut for a paint that I only had to put on every four years!

 

[Maynard Rupp]

I gave my left nut and came up with a paint that you put on every year, but it only takes 2 hours. Don't even need to preassure wash at fall haulout. VC-17 has no buildup, you never need to sand or remove any buildup. I just run a red scotch brite over it and apply the new coat. The stuff is about the consistency of laquer thinner. I onlyhope that it works half as well in salt water. People tell me that the newer VC-17 with Biolux works great in all waters.

 

[Genesis]

I'll be very interested in its results in SALT water.

I'd love to avoid having to haul annually for this...... I don't mind hauling for OTHER things, but the annual paint haul kinda sucks - I've managed to get 2 years before, but only with a LOT more work underwater (diving) to keep it clean the second year. I'm not sure the trade-off is worth it.

 

[Maynard Rupp]

Karl...You wouldn't mind applying VC-17 every year. You run over the bottom with a red scotch brite just enough to get the stuff that the preassure washer missed. Tape the waterline and use a thin foam roller. About 2 qts. of paint for your boat and 2 hours total time, unless you are a slow taping guy. I just am not sure if it will be OK in salt water yet. Our 36C has a fresh coat and if I take it to Miami, it won't come out until around march. so we shall see.

 

[MikeP]

Re diving/cleaning the bottom. How frequently would you have to do this to not apply bottom paint at all? I might be willing to give this a try. Locally we are no longer allowed to apply bottom paint, it must be done by the marina staff so I'd like to be able to keep the $2000 bucks they charge JUST TO ROLL ON THE PAINT (doesn't include any prep work or the paint) and tell them, "We don' need no steenking bottom painters!"

What kind of tool(s) do you clean a boat bottom with while diving?

 

[Genesis]

Well, you'd be diving every 2-3 DAYS if you were not going to paint at all.

The problem is that once hard growth attaches - and it takes less than a week in conducive water - you're hosed. Getting it off requires SCRAPERS.

If you were able/willing to dive it nearly daily, then you could use a scrubber (a white "scotch-brite" style handled scrubber) and keep it clean that way.

I don't think its realistic to forego bottom paint for a boat left in the water. I wish it was......

You should see what I go through just keeping the PROPS clean. And if you don't, then within 2 weeks or so you have growth - and performance robbing - going on.

BTW, last haul I tried painting the props with primer and then Trilux. Forget it. Its already coming off, and I'm going to strip what's remaining, because what's left is no longer even, there was actually growth ON THE TRILUX, and I can detect a performance difference - in three months. Grrrr.... (Oh well, that's what I get for trying to get a "prop speed" without doing it!)

This, however, works pretty well on struts, shafts and rudders. Its just the props where it doesn't work out.

 

[MikeP]

Oh

Well, every few days would be too extreme for me! I was stupidly thinking on the order of monthly! Since I've never had a boat without bottom paint, I have no clue re marine growth without it!

 

[labrador]

Mike, Why don't you take a ride down to N.J. to a place you can haul and do the paint yourself instead of paying 2000.00 to a thief. Probably 400.00 for the haul and 400.00 for the paint and we do have vast quantities of Mount Gay to help get you thru the evenings.

 

[Liquid Asset]

Here on the west coast of Florida, it is a trend to have your bottom cleaned by divers monthly. I dont know why it is that they do it since I can get almost 3 months without touching the bottom and dont have any growth. If you use your boat even only every other week, there are not any problems with not scraping/cleaning by divers.

I applied some cheap marpaq bottom paint the last time I was out to prove that there is no reason to buy the expensive paint, and It has actually proved to be a better product that I even though tit woudl be. I have been back in for 2 months and there is not even any algae on the transom and there normally develops a lot in that area due to the fact it is in direct sunlight most of the day.

 

[Genesis]

The only place the diver is worthwhile IF you have decent bottom paint on the boat (and its not worn out) is the running gear.

The props WILL pick up some growth and it DOES matter. Both to speed and efficiency.