Peeling Bottom Paint Problems

[TimC2520]

I just can't seem to get this problem licked. First alittle history, I bought the boat new and every year, the port side bottom has had a peeling paint issue every fall when it's pulled. Not a flake missing on the transom or starboard side.

I figured the bottom was never properly prepped to remove all the wax. For the first 4-5 years I always used the same type of paint the dealer used the first time, a hard, epoxy based paint. About 4-5 years ago I wanted to start using a seasonal ablative. Sooo, every spring I clean the bare spots with Acetone, apply a coat of unepoxy to the bare spots, let it dry a week, then hit the entire hull with the seasonal ablative....Well, same thing every year, starboard side bottom and transom look perfect, not a flake missing and no growth after a powerwash. Port side looks like hell...photo attached.

I have had SOME success with many of the previous bare spots now holding paint well, but still many more areas are peeling (some in the same spot year after year). I am going to try something different next spring....I am going to try and clean the bare spots with Acetone, then hit it with something called "skip-sand"....I think this product can't be allowed to dry fully, so once "tacky" I was going to hit it with maybe 2-3 coats of an epoxy type paint (again just talking bare spots here) then a week or two later hit the entire hull again with the seasonal ablative.....Suggestions ?

 

[Outta Here]

I'm no bottom paint expert (and hope I never have to be one). Isn't the first step to sand gloss off bottom?

 

[TimC2520]

I'm not sure, but I can say, when I wipe the bare spots down with Acetone, it certainly is shiny....Could this be the problem ? :?:

 

[Outta Here]

http://www.pettitpaint.com/fileshare/te ... fchart.pdf

(if this link works) notice the operative word in every Pettit bottom paint application.

 

[TimC2520]

I read this as "light sand" the existing antifouling paint, but in my situation, there isn't any paint existing.... :?:

 

[Bryan 2530]

The right thing to do would be to strip the bottom again and sand the gelcoat to about a 220grit, but that would be crazy.

I have had good luck on the 2530 and other boats wet sanding the areas around the waterline where the bottom paint may have been flaking off.
You need to give the paint something to bite into. Try sanding those areas and skip the special paints.

FWIW I used to wet sand my other boat that had ablative paint on it before applying new paint. Wet sanding keeps the dust down and you don't have to wear a mask. It also freshens the surface for good bonding.
Problem is you have to do it on a fairly warm day or you will freeze.

Always wanted to get one of these

 

[TimC2520]

Bryan,
I have thought in the past maybe I should be lightly sanding those areas first, but I was always concerned about taking off too much gelcoat and causing some serious damage to the hull.. How much is enough?
I am trying to avoid soda blasting and having to paint her 4-5 coats in 1 season which is why I switched to the seasonal ablative to prevent a buildup. Between work and family, painting her once a year is enough, I hate that job. I am trying to get it to the point where I just need to put one coat of the seasonal ablative on every year but this flaking is driving me nuts! :lol:
There are spots on this troubled port side where you can see if you look closely, previously peeling surfaces have held paint for many seasons now and look great with no build up....thats how I'd like the rest of the port side to look, but for some reason, there are some stubborn areas.

 

[Bryan 2530]

You would have to do a lot of sanding to get through the gelcoat. If you wetsand with 220 or so, you won't have to worry. My previous boat was an 86 Whitewater. When I got it I hand scraped and used a Palm sander to get the entire bottom down to fresh gelcoat. With all that scrapping and sanding I never went through the gelcoat. After that I did 5 coats of Inteprotect 2000, one coat of blue and two coats of Shark white ablative. I would paint every other year and after 8 years, no flaking when I sold her this summer.

I think if you wet sanded the flaking areas down to clean gelcoat then hit it with acetone that should clear up the problem. If you feel ambitious you could do the whole side that is giving you the problem but that would be alot of work.

It sounds like the kid they paid to sand the bottom only did one side.

 

[TimC2520]

"It sounds like the kid they paid to sand the bottom only did one side. "


I'm telling you, if you were able to see both sides, you'd say something like "What the ***" ?

Maybe I'll give the 220 a shot this spring and see what happens, as I mentioned, once I give it the once over with Acetone, it's awful shiny.
Perhaps I need to rough it up a bit.

 

[goinsfishin]

Needs to be properly sanded, I use 150 grit, single pass-done.
Remember when sanding, wet or dry, always wear a good mask and goggles, bottom paint is nasty stuff.
Also don't sand where you want grass to grow for the next few years.

 

[Anonymous]

I just can't seem to get this problem licked. First alittle history, I bought the boat new and every year, the port side bottom has had a peeling paint issue every fall when it's pulled. Not a flake missing on the transom or starboard side.

I figured the bottom was never properly prepped to remove all the wax. For the first 4-5 years I always used the same type of paint the dealer used the first time, a hard, epoxy based paint. About 4-5 years ago I wanted to start using a seasonal ablative. Sooo, every spring I clean the bare spots with Acetone, apply a coat of unepoxy to the bare spots, let it dry a week, then hit the entire hull with the seasonal ablative....Well, same thing every year, starboard side bottom and transom look perfect, not a flake missing and no growth after a powerwash. Port side looks like hell...photo attached.

I have had SOME success with many of the previous bare spots now holding paint well, but still many more areas are peeling (some in the same spot year after year). I am going to try something different next spring....I am going to try and clean the bare spots with Acetone, then hit it with something called "skip-sand"....I think this product can't be allowed to dry fully, so once "tacky" I was going to hit it with maybe 2-3 coats of an epoxy type paint (again just talking bare spots here) then a week or two later hit the entire hull again with the seasonal ablative.....Suggestions ?

i see this all the time...it's called lack of prep....a new boat must have the hull dewaxed first,then scuff sanded...i prefer to use a barrier coat,then a coat of "hard" bottom paint,followed by 3 coats of a good multiseason ablative paint... check out this link...

http://www.thebassbarn.com/forum/showth ... p?t=121087


all the information you're gonna need is right there...i posted this "step by step" guide for the whole proess...

sanding a hull's bottom...i use 60grit...trying to sand through gel coat is prettty tough,the parkers have a pretty thick gel coat...

 

[Parker]

Jimmy thanks for sharing! I went through that process last season. I hasd Coastal Soda do the blasting. I then spent the next two weeks on the bottom.