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Blue Crab · 31-03-2013, 16:21

I have some buying opportunities re bottom paint. I can buy new direct from the fisher supply at a discount or two buddies have unused paint. One has 2 old gal of "Awlgrip" ablative. Old but cheap. Another has a gal of something or other that weighs several #s. Old, cheap.$40. All paint appears to be factory sealed.

I currently have a couple coats of white something on boat. No thick build up so prob was down to gelcoat as boat is 40+ years old. It would be impolite to ask a lady her exact age. The white is chalky but I don't foresee a prob with painting over it.

I've searched and most feel it's OK to use old paint beyond the hassle. But I'm thinking mixing it could be a MAJOR undertaking. I have a stirrer and 1/2" drill but what if after all that, the ablative has lost it's antifoul properties? The heavy can has real copper so I guess if I can liquify it, it would be effective.

It just seems really old fashioned to use thick, heavy paint when we now have these 2nd gen paints.

Free advice/thoughts welcome.

**roverhi** · 31-03-2013, 16:36

Years ago I heard rumors of anti-fouling paint losing it's anti when stored for too long. Know that Interlux ablative was still fine after three years in storage.

Personally I like Interlux Micron Extra ablative paint. Doesn't build up and has held up for three years in Hawaii. One trick I just learned is to buy two different colors of ablative paint. Put the color that's different than your existing paint on first then second coat with another color. You can see when you've worn through the first coat and know it's really past time for a new bottom job when the original bottom paint starts showing through.

Sandero · 31-03-2013, 16:42

Bottom paints are reasonably ineffective... especially on boats not moving fast through the water. Better to use an inexpensive hard paint, and hire a diver or regularly scrub it yourself. Probably cheaper and more effective.

Blue Crab · 31-03-2013, 17:07

Peter, I flipped over to the Micron site and read this:

Micron Technology uses copper more efficiently than old fashioned, high copper load bottom paints

Are they reading my mind or my email?

Micron worked very well in Miami, even years ago, stuff should be even better now. Trinidad was also good in Miami and the Carolinas.

Capt jef. I've always done my own. But would rather not, and too frugal to pay somebody.

Sandero · 31-03-2013, 17:35

Blue,
Frugal may apply or being pissed to pay the high prices for a paint job in addition to the paint. The yard I stored out wouldn't even let me paint! This gets ridiculously expensive!

Scrubbing is the way to go to keep a slippery bottom.

fstbttms · 04-04-2013, 08:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by defjef

Bottom paints are reasonably ineffective... especially on boats not moving fast through the water. Better to use an inexpensive hard paint, and hire a diver or regularly scrub it yourself. Probably cheaper and more effective.

While I agree 100% with the sentiment about hull cleaning, I must take exception to the bit about using a cheap paint. You get what you pay for with anti fouling paints and using a cheap paint is a sure way to hasten your next haulout. Use a high-quality paint, clean it relatively frequently (before it gets even moderately foul) and you will save big dollars in the long run because you will have hauled for paint less often.

AtlanticGreenPro · 05-04-2013, 04:18

Cheap paints are just that... cheap paint.

If you plan on leaving your boat in the water for extended periods of time (like 1 to 2 years) then the bottom should be protected with a good epoxy barrier paint like Interlux 2000E of Sea Hawk Tuff-Stuff (Prevents blisters and blister protection), this should be followed up with a good ablative paint like Interlux Micron of Sea Hawk Cukote.... both a have high copper content. Micron (27% Copper, 10% Tin).... Sea Hawk Cukote (47% Copper).

It's also a good practice to have the bottom cleaned by a diver based on the waters where your boat is kept on a weekly of monthly basis based on water conditions and sea growth.

I've seen situations on the Raritan Bay (Lower Hudson NY/NJ) where even boats with good paint were covered with thick algae in as little as 2 weeks when the boat was just kept at a slip and not in use.

Also remember no ablative paint protects your boats bottom from blisters... Ablatives are designed to slow sea growth and they do let water through to the next protective layer that being your boats gel-coat or a protective epoxy barrier coat which does keeps the water away from your boats gel coat.

Blue Crab · 05-04-2013, 05:48

As it turned out, I couldn't bring myself to buy either type of the old paints.

Nor could I escape the feeling that lathering on hard epoxy, even Trinidad which I like, is needless work down the line.

So I looked at the Microns and other ablatives. The ACT paint label and description and price got me. Half the price of Microns, and also made by Interlux. My thinking was how different/worse can it be? We'll see. I'll be on the move mostly, and if I need to hand wipe to extend the life of it, I can do so.

Saltyhog · 05-04-2013, 06:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blue Crab

As it turned out, I couldn't bring myself to buy either type of the old paints.

Nor could I escape the feeling that lathering on hard epoxy, even Trinidad which I like, is needless work down the line.

So I looked at the Microns and other ablatives. The ACT paint label and description and price got me. Half the price of Microns, and also made by Interlux. My thinking was how different/worse can it be? We'll see. I'll be on the move mostly, and if I need to hand wipe to extend the life of it, I can do so.

I think you'll find that ACT is very soft. It works really well on boat that moves very little or on dock queens. I had it on our boat last summer and due to various reasons, the boat moved very little. Bottom was amazingly clean at the end of the season. If you are moving a lot, I'd keep an eye on the bottom to be sure the paint is not wearing off too fast. Good luck.

fstbttms · 05-04-2013, 06:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by AtlanticGreenPro

[B]
If you plan on leaving your boat in the water for extended periods of time (like 1 to 2 years) then the bottom should be protected with a good epoxy barrier paint like Interlux 2000E of Sea Hawk Tuff-Stuff (Prevents blisters and blister protection), this should be followed up with a good ablative paint like Interlux Micron of Sea Hawk Cukote.... both a have high copper content. Micron (27% Copper, 10% Tin).... Sea Hawk Cukote (47% Copper).

What do you have against a hard paint?

BTW- neither of the two products you listed is particularly high in copper. Also, please identify the Micron product that lists "tin" as an ingredient.

Blue Crab · 05-04-2013, 06:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by Saltyhog

I think you'll find that ACT is very soft. It works really well on boat that moves very little or on dock queens. I had it on our boat last summer and due to various reasons, the boat moved very little. Bottom was amazingly clean at the end of the season. If you are moving a lot, I'd keep an eye on the bottom to be sure the paint is not wearing off too fast. Good luck.

Thanks. I'm doing the two different color strategy so it will be easy to tell.

**minaret** · 05-04-2013, 06:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by fstbttms

What do you have against a hard paint?

BTW- neither of the two products you listed is particularly high in copper. Also, please identify the Micron product that lists "tin" as an ingredient.

+1. I think Trinidad is the way to go for many reasons. Our Seahawk rep, Tony, is always around pushing product and we get it cheap. He recently busted me red handed at Fisheries with a cart load of Trinidad for my boat. He gave me a hard time, but understood why I'd pay more for SR. And that's from a rep!

pumpcity · 05-04-2013, 06:42

Moving or not, if you have your bottom cleaned periodically by a cleaning service, a hard bottom paint stays on much better than ablative. The cleaning crews work to keep growth off your hull, and a hard paint fares much better with the cleaning. In So. Cal. we use Interlux Ultra Bottom Paint. Has reasonable level of copper and stays on the boat.