Hello, all. I own hull number two (RXA 37 3002 R) and am wondering what folks consider state of the art in terms of bottom paint these days. I have been most familiar with Pettit & Interlux on my 1963 '37 Connie. What offers the greatest protection while not creating a difficulty with the CAPAC system? Please be specific if you would, about surface preparation. The hull will be blasted in a few weeks. Thank you, in advance.
That Time of Year Getting ready to pull her out, eh? Well, E- Paint is the way to go nowadays. I used to use TRILUX until they quit making it (something about legal stuff). Anyway, thatz who I go to for bottom paint. 1. EP - ZO (Available in multiple colors): http://www.epaint.net/products/zo_tech.shtm 2. Ep-2000 (no copper): http://www.epaint.net/Merchant2/mer...e=BP&Product_Code=EP2000GA&Category_Code=Anti Only two colors - gray & white Surface preparation - generally I recommend turning your metal hulled boat into a fiberglass bottomed boat - this, by biting the bullet and stripping bottom down to metal/fairing. For aluminum, you would then "wash" with alodine (to obtain a bit of grip for the paint), and then apply a coat zinc chromate (baseline protection). Not sure what exactly to do for steel (see articles here: http://www.geocities.com/alloyed2sea/TechnicalForum.html) IN any case - once prepped, then, coat bottom with 4-5 coats of INterlux 2000E Epoxy (http://www.pyacht.net/cgi-local/Sof...re/h-interlux_interprotect_2000.htm?E+scstore) - as a barrier coat/protectant. This creates a "barrier coat" - keeping the water away from the metal. This way, you pretty much eliminate surface corrosion Now apply your E-Paint (2 coats) once every year or so. Proper zincing will also help - salt water? Itz more art than science - so you'll need to find you own "mix" (zinc/magnesium) depending on local conditions. Look around the marinas at other metal boats. Good advice on that issue can also be found here: http://www.metalboatsociety.com/ IN any case, hope it all works out. Keep up the good work! Cheers, Eric "Tin Tonic" 1967 CC Roamer Riviera 37' (AL)
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