black bilge paint..?

[majdrew]

Hi Folks!

My steel boat has the bilges painted in a black, sort of glossy, slightly tacky substance.

Does anyone know what it might be? I need to touch up some spots, but haven't found any black bilge paint online..

 

[BobnLesley]

...black, sort of glossy, slightly tacky substance...

I'm no expert on steel (or indeed any?) boats, but it sounds suspiciously like a bitumastic paint; this stuff is widely used in the construction industry for protecting permanently enclosed steel work. e.g. the feet/bases of columns where the concrete floor slab's cast around them, or beams/columns built into brick walls.

Someone may well have used it to coat a steel bilge - I'd certainly be tempted to give it a go as it's good stuff and cheap (unless perhaps there's a 'marine' brand). The downsides are that it's a bugger to get off again, or to over-coat with anything else.

I've only bought it in 45 gallon drums, but I'm sure it's available in smaller quantities; alternatively, watch for a building site that has a steel frame erected on it, go to see the Site Agent/Manager, taking a sealable jar/can with you and ask nicely - offering the price of a pint will help. /forums/images/graemlins/ooo.gif

If the tackiness is causing you problems, then provided that the bilge is relatively dry (don't do the very bottom), you can rub the surface liberally with fine sand or talcum powder and vacuum out what falls off.

Edit: Use your very oldest/cheapest/crappiest brush to apply it, then wrap the brush in something and throw it away - nothing cleans them successfully

 

[majdrew]

Thanks BobnLesley!

Yes it maybe is what you say. The boat was built in a commercial yard, wasn't home built, so yes.. I'll look around for a suitable building site! [yard no longer there]

 

[rogerthebodger]

Painting a bilge black on a steel boat is the best way to hide any rust.

IMHO the only colour to paint any bilge is white then you can see any problems straight away and also makes it easy to keep it clean

 

[111KAB]

You will get black bitumastic paint from any decent diy shop B&Q even stock it in their Depot stores. Smallest tins around 1 litre although I think B&Q (approx £7) start at 2.5 litres. Often to be found in building section rather than paint area. Also used for painting the brick courses of a house below dpc level. Mucky stuff - in addition to throwing the brush away I'd wear your oldest clothes and use some of those throw away 'gloves'. I've found petrol to be the best thing for getting it off areas where its not wanted.

 

[majdrew]

Excellent! Thanks!