Bottom/top paint question

[philip8614]

Can you put topside paint over bottom paint? I'm buying a new-to-me boat in two weeks and from the pictures it looks to have had anti-fouling on the bottom as it was slipped most of the year. The bottom does need some attention and there are a few gouges and looks pretty rough. I plan to trailer sail it and it's my understanding that anti-fouling is not advised for this application. Anyone see any problems using topside paint over the anti-fouling on the bottom? Thank you

[Tomfoolery]

I would think an ablative bottom paint will simply shed off the new paint over time. I suspect your best move would be to strip off the old bottom paint, and refresh the barrier coat with a new one. The bottom is probably too rough without paint, as it would have been roughed up to hold the barrier coat, so going back to shiny gel coat is probably not an option, or an easy one at least.

And I don't thing there's anything wrong with trailer-sailing a boat with an ablative bottom paint; I think, at least with some types, it loses its effectiveness, but that's not an issue if it's going to live on the trailer and not in the water.

[dlandersson]

Might want to consider one of the new "slick" bottom paints.

http://www.seacoat.com/testimonials.html

Can you put topside paint over bottom paint? I'm buying a new-to-me boat in two weeks and from the pictures it looks to have had anti-fouling on the bottom as it was slipped most of the year. The bottom does need some attention and there are a few gouges and looks pretty rough. I plan to trailer sail it and it's my understanding that anti-fouling is not advised for this application. Anyone see any problems using topside paint over the anti-fouling on the bottom? Thank you

[Seapup]

Anyone see any problems using topside paint over the anti-fouling on the bottom? Thank you

At first guess my instinct would be topside paint would be thin and glossy, it would show all the bumps and have trouble staying on over time.

A gallon of the cheapest black ablative would be the easiest and cheapest decent looking solution IMO. $100 and a weekend. The "side" areas below the boot stripe would fade and get streaks from rain and sun after a year or so. It would be the least prep work to look decent though.

If I were to put on a durable paint on I would suggest getting as much of the old paint off as possible and roll on an epoxy barrier shield and leave it at that. You can get them in a few colors. They go on thick with a bit of texture so can hide some flaws. They adhere really well and are durable. My guess is it would last for as long as you have the boat, and if someone wants to bottom coat it later its already prepped. I like the seahawk tough stuff epoxy that other members here have pointed out to me.

[philip8614]

Thank you for the suggestions! I was under the impression that bottom paint was not advised because it would come off but it turns out it just looses its effectiveness which will be a non-issue. Because heavy sanding isn't fun and I would have to remove the current paint as anything else wouldn't stick well, it sounds like just a new coat of regular old bottom paint would be best. Love this site, thanks again!

[Sumner]

Thank you for the suggestions! I was under the impression that bottom paint was not advised because it would come off but it turns out it just looses its effectiveness which will be a non-issue. Because heavy sanding isn't fun and I would have to remove the current paint as anything else wouldn't stick well, it sounds like just a new coat of regular old bottom paint would be best. Love this site, thanks again!

Good choice just be sure that the bottom paint is one that can be used on a trailered boat that goes in and out of the water. Also most topside paint's instructions say that they are not to be used below the waterline,

Sumner

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