Bottom Paint
 

I'm back and forth on weather to keep the bottom paint, or remove it. Any thoughts? Also, if I keep it does it need to be removed and repainted? painted over? if we do remove it and decide not to keep bottom paint, what would you suggest painting the entire bottom side of the boat with? (rubrail down)? If we keep with the bottom paint, any suggestions for a good bottom paint that's affordable? Thanks everyone.

If it makes a difference, there is a good chance once we get it going good that we would be leaving it in a local freshwater lake here during the summer months..

I don't think you will be able to remove it completely to make it look virgin.

To paint over it, it would depend on what was painted there and what you will be using for the new paint.

Even in freshwater, you will need an anti fouling paint.

With most ablatives you can prep and paint over with another ablative.

rkc

Thanks man. Any suggestions for a good bottom paint that won't break the bank? Also, this may be a silly question, but how do you get to the areas sitting on the bunks?

You will probably get different opinions on what is the best paint. I only recently researched bottom paint for a trailered boat, don't know much for a fresh and warm water paint.

I paid someone who had boat stands to paint mine...

rkc

If you want to make it like new (no paint) you will have to have it soda blasted, then painted with a barrier paint then a top coat.

If you are going to leave in any water you will need to paint it.

If what you have is 30 coats thick like mine was, then have it soda blasted then barrier painted and a new bottom paint added.

I used West Marine ablative paint, not sure how much? $110 ?? But that will last you years!

http://wellcraftv20.com/community/sh...ighlight=paint

I totally agree with MJ on the soda blasting.. it's the only way to safely remove old paint without chemicals.. As to bottom paints themselves I'm sure that everyone will have a preference, but personally I like Plasti-cote brand paints. They really hold up to the on and off riggors of trailering, and they don't seem to scuff/leach as much paint onto the rollers as some others I've tried

Any idea what a soda blasting and new paint would cost? I'd be tempted to go with that if I could get a new look on the bottom of this thing...

When I looked into it last spring, the lowest price I could find for soda blasting was either $700 or $900.

rkc

Thanks! Great information.

This spring I saw a number of contractors in Craigslist for Northern New Jersey that would come to your boat, tent it and do the job. All of the quoted $5.00 to $9.00 a foot. But their ads don't say if that's a lineal foot or a square foot. So a 20' boat would be around $180 Lineal and around $900 Square.

Just remember that soda blasting may reveal blisters in your hull that the paint kept hidden. So chances are you'll have to repaint.

http://newjersey.craigslist.org/cto/1755768334.html

http://jerseyshore.craigslist.org/boa/1740173498.html

http://jerseyshore.craigslist.org/boa/1740173498.html