Paint for below the water line

[smaples]

I am going to be doing some blister repairs on a fiberglass boat. The boat is trailered and the blisters occurred under the bunks. I have read about using west system epoxy to do the blister repairs. The article says to use bottom paint for the finish, however, all the bottom paint I am finding is anti-fouling paint. My question is, is there a paint that I can use below the water line that is not anti-fouling. I just want a good paint that will closely match the gel-coat in color (white) and gloss. One that could be rolled or brushed on or safely sprayed on.

 

[Psiclown]

Re: Paint for below the water line

I went with Pettit Easypoxy (used Pettit undercoater first). This type of paint will only work if you dry dock it.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Paint for below the water line

My question is, is there a paint that I can use below the water line that is not anti-fouling. I just want a good paint that will closely match the gel-coat in color (white) and gloss. One that could be rolled or brushed on or safely sprayed on.

Ayuh,.... Rustoleum, industrial enamel....

It holds up Extremely well, 'n is easily repairable when necessary...

 

[fisherguy123]

Re: Paint for below the water line

produces very nice finish, wears well if not left immersed all the time

 

[ondarvr]

Re: Paint for below the water line

I am going to be doing some blister repairs on a fiberglass boat. The boat is trailered and the blisters occurred under the bunks.

Why fix it? I ask that seriously, only you and the fish know they are there and a repair will most likely be more noticeable than the current blisters. Save your time and money to do something else that will have more benefit (take the wife to dinner).

Now there are people that can't stand the thought of some kind of defect on the hull and to sleep at night they need to fix it, so if you're one of those go for it.

 

[smaples]

Re: Paint for below the water line

Think you all for responding to my question. If the blisters will not cause any further damage, then I probably will not fix them. This is something I read from west systems about blister repair that is giving me concern:

"When water soluble materials in polyester resin laminate mix with moisture that has penetrated the laminate, it creates an acidic fluid. This acidic mixture can attack the polyester resin throughout the laminate, severing the chemical bonds that hold the resin matrix together, as well as the resin-to-fiberbonds. This process is known as hydrolysis. Once hydrolysis has started in a polyester hull, the hull's strength has been compromised and the potential for serious additional hydrolysis will never go away."

The blisters on my boat are isolated to where new bunks were added. Also this area had under gone some scratch repairs and had new gel-coat applied to it.

 

[ondarvr]

Re: Paint for below the water line

Not that what they say is wrong, but they sell blister repair products, so it can be a little over stated. Also if there have been repairs done on this area and they weren't done correctly, the blisters may be from the repair.

Blisters are normally a cosmetic issue and while it is possible for them to become bad enough to compromise the integrity of the hull, its a very rare occurrence. You have a few spots located where the bunks come in contact with the hull, this isn't typically a serious issue.

Post some pics and we can get a better idea of the situation and possible remedies.

 

[Chris1956]

Re: Paint for below the water line

Blisters are usually only a problem with boats left in the water. It is hard to believe that wet bunks would cause blisters.

 

[R Socey]

Re: Paint for below the water line

I like Interlux Watertite Epoxy Filler for blister repair. and Interlux
InterProtect 2000E over it. Interlux VC Performance Epoxi is a
white semi gloss hard paint with teflon - slick - great products.

 

[ondarvr]

Re: Paint for below the water line

The carpet will stay wet for a very long time after each dunking, and then every time it rains the carpet is wet again. This is almost the worst situation for blistering, water vapor can penetrate a substance easier than water in a liquid state. So the gel coat next to the carpet is held in a 100% humidity environment with fluctuating temperatures for months (years) on end. People never see the blisters from carpeted bunks because they are hidden any time the boat is out of the water.

 

[Yacht Dr.]

Re: Paint for below the water line

The carpet will stay wet for a very long time after each dunking, and then every time it rains the carpet is wet again. This is almost the worst situation for blistering, water vapor can penetrate a substance easier than water in a liquid state. So the gel coat next to the carpet is held in a 100% humidity environment with fluctuating temperatures for months (years) on end. People never see the blisters from carpeted bunks because they are hidden any time the boat is out of the water.

Ond is correct..

Sure its not paint on the bottom allready ?..

I personally dont have enough info here..what kinda of boat..pics.. how did you discover the blisters..etc..

All I know right now is you have a Fiberglass boat that has blisters where the bunks are..

I dont know what kind of coating you have on the bottom ( It could be Paint and NOT gel for all I know ).

I cant see... smell or touch what your talking about..

 

[smaples]

Re: Paint for below the water line

The guy that did the repair work said it was gel-coat. The boat is a action craft 1720 se flyfisher. The blisters occurred within 4 months of the repair work. I was in the process of adjusting the bunks when I discovered the blisters. I just went out to take pictures of the blisters and they are not visible. I live in Tennessee and it's been below freezing for about 2 weeks now. Could that make the blisters pop? The boat has been out of the water for over a month and noticed that the blister were getting smaller and fewer in number.

 

[smaples]

Re: Paint for below the water line

After looking again I was able to find some of the worst blister. Now I need some help on how to post a picture.

 

[PKomrowski]

Re: Paint for below the water line

Interlux VC performance is some awsome stuff, wow slick.....

 

[smaples]

Re: Paint for below the water line

attached is a picture of some of the blisters. The biggest one is about the size of a quarter.

 

[Yacht Dr.]

Re: Paint for below the water line

Pop one open and let see whats under there .. try to bevel the blister to see if it was Painted or not...

YD.