Virgin Bottom Paint(er)

[markpj23]

So can anyone share tips with me about what NOT to do before I learn the hard lessons already learned by others before me?

I'm using a hard paint over hard paint, Interlux Fiberglass Bottomkote to be specific. I know that any loose spots need to be sanded etc but beyond that I'm left to reading the manufacturer's literature.

So - got any "watch out for this" stories you'd like to share?

[Vasco]

Wear a long sleeved shirt, rubber gloves and an old cap and old shoes. The manufacturers literature is your best information.

[Pblais]

Assuming you washed it well and sanded any spots. Tape the edge with the blue tape so the edge comes out nice and straight as well as sharp. Use a commercial paint shaker at any paint store so it is mixed as much as possible. Mix it as you work with it. Use a roller for as much as possible and a throw away brush to get in the detail areas. Don't paint over stuff that isn't supposed to be painted like depth transducer bonding plate, zincs. Move along and keep a wet edge. Change the shaft zinc if it even as a little bit of wear. It's just too easy and cheap not to do it now.

Get someone at the yard to help with the jack stands so you can get under the pads. This isn't something you want to screw up with.

If you need to do a second coat later you can't reuse the roller or brush.

It's amazing how large your boat is when it's hauled out.

[Fishspearit]

I always add a couple of extra coats along the foot or so below the waterline, so that you can scrub that area without rubbing all your paint off when the grass starts to grow.

[cooper]

..As ablove , plus extra on leading and trailing edges. I fill any areas that have pits or drop outs (this occurs more with boats that have many layers) with epoxy and fairing compound then vinyguard, before anti fouling. The hull comes out spot on every time. Use wet and dry with lots of water. Dont dry sand.....