Bottom paint question..

[Hou-Chap]

All,

I am wrapping up my boat restoration project, and will be painting it soon (final step). Have to be ready for spring fishing. I have decided on using Awlgrip to paint the topsides, interlux interdeck for the deck, and interlux 'boot top?' for the stripe above the water line. This boat will not be sitting in the water for longer than a fews days at a time, and will be trailered around. It is a 20' Chaparral CC. Here are my questions...
1- Does my choice of paints above look acceptable? any suggestions?
2- I don't have a bottom paint listed because I don't know which way to go. I am wrapping up sanding, sanding, filling, sanding, etc. on the bottom and will be ready to paint soon. I don't want an anti-fouling because it appears they are real "soft" (wears down while running?). I am hoping to find somehthing pretty "hard" and shiny that doesn't wear abnormaly coming off and on the trailer. The bottom paint that was done before I got the boat was hideous (bright blue) and had to come off. I am hoping someone out there has done this before, and can share thier experience with me. Awlgrip is apparently not recommened below the water line. I have painted a number of cars, but don't know much about marine paints. any help one can lend would be greatly appreciated!! I have to finish this tub up, I hear the sow trout and bull reads calling!!! Thx Shane

[jsb223]

This boat will not be sitting in the water for longer than a fews days at a time...
Then does it really need bottom paint?

I dunno...just asking...I've got a project coming up soon...

[SteveB]

Interlux makes this paint for trailerable boats. It may work for you. Go to www.westmarine.com (http://www.westmarine.com) and look under bottom paints.

Steve

[Argo]

You can use the Awlgrip without a problem or any other two part paint. If you call the manufacturer of these paints they will tell you that it will do great as long as you dont plan on keeping the boat in the water for extended periods. I am going to paint my entire hull with awlgrip(eventually in the next couple months) and have no problem doing it. I hate AF bottom paint. Its ugly unless you really keep your boat in the water all the time it is useless.

[boatpaint]

Awlgrip is the best for above the water. Go with the Interlux VC Epoxy for below the water line if you are not going to store it in the water. It is a hard coating, not an ablative antifouling. They can be applied with brush and roller or sprayed. All of the old AF needs to come off before you put the VC on.

Go to the Interlux page and there is a very good product guide on the web page. We also have a booth at the boat show - Mike Kent is the local sales rep.

http://www.yachtpaint.com/usa/

You can call their support line and get someone in the NJ office to answer your questions if need be as well.

Guy

[Argo]

Interthane was another one that I think they said to use. It has been 3 months since I talked to interlux so I might be wrong.

[Hou-Chap]

Guys thanks. As a matter of fact, I talked to a guy manning the interlux booth today at the boat show. He said a paint like thier "brightside" or similiar topside type paint would be fine on the hull as long as the boat doesn't sit in the water for extended periods of time. Argo I agree, AF paint is ugly with a capital 'U'. I need to do some research on Awlgrip vs. Interlux (ease of application, price, durability etc.) before I make a purchase. JSB, if it wasn't for the fact that the bottom had already been painted bright blue and was starting to look bad I wouldn't mess with it. I just can't stand that fadded bright blue bottom. I am afraid it will scare the fish away!!! J/K thanks for the replies, if any one else has .02 on this I'm all ears.. Thx Shane

[Argo]

I wanted to use a single part paint too but after much research I will be using a two part paint. Im using awlgrip but it is only because they have a better color selection available. I would not mind using the interthane. Interlux has another one called Toplac that looked pretty good as a one part. I have used brightsides on the deck before and it does not hold up very well......

[Hou-Chap]

Argo,

I looked at using thier "interdeck" for the deck, but hearing that the brightsides paint didn't hold up very well is troubling to hear. I don't want to have to do this again anytime soon, and would prefer for it to hold up and look good in the mean time. Is Awlgrip a two or one part? I have heard alot of great things about awlgrip. It is just expensive, but I guess like most things you get what you pay for. Have you found a good supplier for awlgrip (price wise)? What size boat do you have? I have been trying to calculate how much paint to buy, but since I have never painted my boat before, I am having a hard time figuring it out. Can you spray Awlgrip? I have painted a few old cars, and think I would do better with a spray rig. I will have to make a decision soon, want to have the boat finished by end of March. Thx

[Argo]

This is what one of the guys on classic mako used on his 23' mako and the supplier info. I didnt want to do it either because of the cost but I figure if I want it to last more than a couple of years I better spend a couple hundred more dollars. It is a sprayable paint and it is a two part paint. I used brightsides on my deck and would have to repaint it every year as it would have very bad wear and tear. You can pressure wash it right off the deck. I am going to strip the bottom paint off with Aquastrip and then sand the whole boat down thoroghly with a very high grit paper a few times before painting it.

Mark Johnson, Johnson Supply. 1-850-434-7103. Mark was very pleasant and helpful & I saved a ton on the Awgrip.

Here's what I ordered:

2 - Gallons- DEFT Primer (yellow) with catalist 88.50@ = $177.00
1 - Gallon Vivid Red Awlgrip Paint $127.22
1 - Gallon Insignia White Awlgrip Paint $85.38
2 - Gallons Awlcat #2 $91.62@ = $183.24
1 - Gallon T0003 Reducer $22.70
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Sub-Total $ 595.54
Shipping to Maine ~30.00
HAZMAT Fees ~30.00
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Total : $655.54

[Argo]

BTW, for my deck I am going to use a product called durabak which I already have but am waiting to put on until I start the project. I dont want the deck to wear down too bad before I get to use it. I have already replaced the fuel compartment cover and a few other items on it and have the transom bracket sitting in my garage too.

[Hou-Chap]

Argo,

Thanks for the breakdown, Very helpful. I guess the 'Awlcat' would be the catalyst or second part of the paint? I may very well just decide to go with Awlgrip. I have heard too many good things about it, just to go with another brand because of price. Since I plan to spend a fair amount of time on the prepping, I would be disappointed if the actual paint product didn't meet my expectations after spending alot of time (& elbow grease) making sure I did a superioir prep job. I will look into Awlgrip further, and maybe contact Mr. Johnson that you mentioned above for further reference. Prices seem fair (as far as marine paint is concerned..:spineyes: ). Since I only have a 20', the amounts you listed should be more than adequate for my job (if you were purchasing for a 23'). Do me a favor and keep me posted on how it goes. It looks like you will get first crack at it, and I will be interested to hear how it goes. Thx Argo..Shane