Bottom Paint Prep

[Timccarpenter]

We have had our boat on Lake Superior for 20 years and never bottom painted due to layers of old paint. We’re finally down to a layer of ablative paint that is no longer very effective. I plan to put on Sea Hawk Monterey water based. Works well in our conditions. Directions indicate to simply scuff up the old surface and go over it. We did that plus scrubbing a bit harder to get growth residue off.

There is a lot of paint dust still on the hull. We tried wiping it down and the rag is immediately clogged with 3 or 4 feet of wiping. Wiped down areas come off on your hands a bit when wiping vs a lot on the areas we haven’t wiped down.

Question- do we need to wipe off as much of the dust as we can or just go over it? Not sure what exactly is needed for over coating with another ablative paint.

[rslifkin]

Assuming they're compatible paints (most ablatives are) I'd just give it a light powerwash and paint over it. Usually that's all that's needed for ablative over ablative.

[Timccarpenter]

Originally Posted by rslifkin

Assuming they're compatible paints (most ablatives are) I'd just give it a light powerwash and paint over it. Usually that's all that's needed for ablative over ablative.

Unfortunately, no running water within hose distance. Maybe wipe down with dry rags? Wet just makes a big mess.

[rslifkin]

Originally Posted by Timccarpenter

Unfortunately, no running water within hose distance. Maybe wipe down with dry rags? Wet just makes a big mess.

Yes, dry will be easier to get the dust off ablative paint.