Attacking the topsides

[Sofus]

I am currently in the process of restoring my 1945 French "Misanier" (a small fishingboat with lug sail and jib). The topsides are next on my list and I intend to get rid of the old paint and do a decent job from the bare wood (which is healthy). I have seen photos of similar projects where a red or orange primer(?) was applied to the wood before painting. What could this orange stuff be? And why not use an ordinary primer?

Secondly, I would like advice on what antifouling to use. As the boat is far from a racer I plan to use cheap stuff from Compass or perhaps Jotun. The boat will be on the water for about 8 months pr year in water temperatures less than 22 degrees.

Thank you for showing an interest in this.

 

[Woodlouse]

It's red lead. Use ordinary primer if you want.

 

[Dave99]

antifoul - would recommend International Cruiser Uno, although probably a little bit more expensive than Compass it is good self-polishing antifoul

 

[skipperscouse]

sounds nice. any pics ?

 

[Sofus]

Thanks.

 

[Sofus]

Thank you. I will consider it when spring is closer.

 

[Sofus]

Not yet. When I'm seaborne next year I will attach a photo to my profile.

 

[burgundyben]

Is it red lead or is it red oxide?

I think the two are different, not sure of the applications for either on wood. Think it might be red oxide on wood, red oxide is dark red, red lead is more bright orange?

Waiting to be corrected.

When restoring my old banger I used red oxide (Beaver brand) extensively, on brackets and things, I used Galvafroid, red oxide, some B and Q satin black oil based paint. As a whole scheme its held up well.

On hull of boat I have 4 coats of Blakes wood primer, 2 coats epiphanes undercoat, 2 coats top coat.

 

[Woodlouse]

If red lead is the orange stuff then thats what they put on wooden boats.

Not sure it's really important these days though as any wood primer will suffice.

 

[Mirelle]

AS other people have already said, the orange stuff is red lead; this is a good primer but not "necessary" as any modern boat wooden boat primer will do much the same job.

It can be a little hard to find red lead primer as the EU health and safety legislation affects it. However, it is not impossible.

 

[chinita]

Oh dear, I have just bought some red oxide thinking it was the same as red lead. What is red oxide used for?

 

[Boatmik]

Take strong safety precautions when removing the lead paint.

Michael Storer