Epoxy primer...What is it?

[Vanilla]

Please be gentle in helping this non-technical person...but what's the difference between a boat which has been given 2 coats of epoxy primer before antifouling vs a boat which is said to have been "epoxied"....not sure about spelling!
Thanks wise forumites /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

 

[VicS]

I would assume that the former means that an epoxy primer/undercoat has been applied to sound grp as a precaution agaist osmosis before the application of antifouling.

The second might mean the same or it could mean that the boat has bean stripped of its gelcoat and given a high build epoxy coating as treatement for osmosis.

 

[Vanilla]

Thanks VicS.....afraid I've got a lot more basic questions like that that I'm plucking up courage to ask next.
Cheers

 

[oldsaltoz]

Please be advised.

Epoxy can be a problem as many products will not stick to it very well, this includes basic things like standard poly resins and most paints.

To avoid such problems a coat of 'epoxy primer' is applied over the epoxy coat to avoid any problems.

I have found that using a high build epoxy primer performs best and reduces the chance of pin holes (holidays).

Hope this helps.

Avagoodweekend......

 

[psmonarch]

Expensive rubbish that's difficult to repair when wallopped!

 

[Caer Urfa]

Hello Vanilla
If you do not know don't guess just ask!
Applying the epoxy coatings is also another topic but it's not rocket science as i have done it a few times on various boats but does need to be applied correct onto a correctly prepared hull.
It is not a winter job or a high summer job, if you try and apply it below 5 deg it does not mix well, does not roll on well and you have drying problems (as it is a two pack mix) and will start to set as fast as you can put it on and look a right mess, if it is to hot it will also dry to quick and your mix will not last very long and set 'before' you ever put it on the boat..
Never mix all the two pack at once! if it starts to go off you loose everything and it sure is not cheap these days.
You also have limited time between coats once the first one is dry as you can apply each one ontop of the other (they are differant colours) otherwise you will end up lightly sanding between each coat.
When you have done all your coats then you need to prime the hull probably with Primacon 'before you start to put the antifoul on.
I tried the scaping the hull bit twice, but best is to have the hull sand blasted first and a far better job and finish.
All you need is time and money 'Lots of both' thats all!
Regards
Mike