Steel boat repair

[Mark26]

Thanks for reply, l think your correct .
Something must of went wrong with the whole project . As for getting experts , well that’s what l thought l was getting , obviously not.
Can l post u a few more photos , not sure if paint will build it up

Fell free to post more pictures, but I feel there is no need. Either the paint has adheared to the steel or it hasn’t. If it were small blisters the cause would be different, but essentially it’s the same problem - non adhesion.
I’m no expert either, just another boat owner who has suffered a similar plight. I have carried out extensive research into paint types and application methods, and have come to the early conclusion that if you want it done properly it’s best to do it yourself. The big problem is the environment conditions. We can make a reasonable job ourselves outside at certain times of the year, but those times are very limited due to either the overnight dew point or pollen, flys etc flying about.
Mine is a 30 foot Pedro, the paint job cost me £11k and I’m very disappointed, got problems, have already just one year on, gone over one roof by hand.
I did make enquiries at Pedro in the Netherlands, they wanted 15,000 euros plus of course transportation costs and no doubt there would be extras so probably about £20k. But it would have been done properly with two part paint which is much harder.

 

[Mark26]

There was a very good article about painting steel boats, paint types etc in a recent (June?) edition of a canal boat magazine. Very informative. I’ve thrown it now, I’ll look on line to see which one it was, unless someone else knows?

 

[bricklin]

Thanks for reply, l think your correct .
Something must of went wrong with the whole project . As for getting experts , well that’s what l thought l was getting , obviously not.
Can l post u a few more photos , not sure if paint will build it up

 

[bricklin]

Fell free to post more pictures, but I feel there is no need. Either the paint has adheared to the steel or it hasn’t. If it were small blisters the cause would be different, but essentially it’s the same problem - non adhesion.
I’m no expert either, just another boat owner who has suffered a similar plight. I have carried out extensive research into paint types and application methods, and have come to the early conclusion that if you want it done properly it’s best to do it yourself. The big problem is the environment conditions. We can make a reasonable job ourselves outside at certain times of the year, but those times are very limited due to either the overnight dew point or pollen, flys etc flying about.
Mine is a 30 foot Pedro, the paint job cost me £11k and I’m very disappointed, got problems, have already just one year on, gone over one roof by hand.
I did make enquiries at Pedro in the Netherlands, they wanted 15,000 euros plus of course transportation costs and no doubt there would be extras so probably about £20k. But it would have been done properly with two part paint which is much harder.

 

[bricklin]

Thats wicket money for a poor job.
Watched a video of how an expert does it on a canal boat , 7 coats from memory .
He was very good £15,000 for a 37ft steel.
Expensive but a proper job.
Must look it out if l can find again .
Thanks for your information it will get me on a DIY repair to take bad look off boat

 

[Mark26]

I thought mine was bad, yours is worse.
Same as before, you have a large blister where it hasn’t adhered.
After 4 months you should be going back to the painters.
or do as Caraway suggests, although that’s not easy unless you can find somewhere indoors to do it.
Do not underestimated the importance of temperature and humidity, the later being more important, as a cooler temp just extends curing times, but high humidity will lead to more problems

 

[bricklin]

I thought mine was bad, yours is worse.
Same as before, you have a large blister where it hasn’t adhered.
After 4 months you should be going back to the painters.
or do as Caraway suggests, although that’s not easy unless you can find somewhere indoors to do it.
Do not underestimated the importance of temperature and humidity, the later being more important, as a cooler temp just extends curing times, but high humidity will lead to more problems

 

[bricklin]

Yes l did complain after two months and really got no where . I foolishly agreed to a reduction in price . Which was crazy to start with( for lower part of boat only .)
Anyway , it’s repair and move on for now
It’s a very roomy boat and well worth keeping

 

[Mark26]

I know how you feel. I had much the same experience hence one year on I hand painted the roof myself. Very disappointing, I had hoped my paint job would last 10 years.
Good luck with it.

 

[bricklin]

forgot to ask you , what filler / and pre filler primer before applying filler should you use on a steel boat

Frank

[/QUOTE]

 

[Mark26]

forgot to ask you , what filler / and pre filler primer before applying filler should you use on a steel boat

Frank

[/QUOTE]
It’s best to stick to the top coat manufacturers advice on primers and under coats. They will of course recommend their own products.
You should view the primer, undercoat, topcoat as a total paint system, the three having been extensively tested by the manufacturer and designed to work together.
Otherwise you could risk the same problems as you’ve all ready had where the paint hasn’t adhered to what’s under it.
All paint manufacturers have lots of info on their websites
Mark

 

[Bouba]

It could be rust under the paint. If it’s just surface rust then you should see it if you scrape some of the paint off. Is it possible to look at the inside of the hull in the bad spots to see if there is rust all through ?

 

[bricklin]

Thank you

It’s best to stick to the top coat manufacturers advice on primers and under coats. They will of course recommend their own products.
You should view the primer, undercoat, topcoat as a total paint system, the three having been extensively tested by the manufacturer and designed to work together.
Otherwise you could risk the same problems as you’ve all ready had where the paint hasn’t adhered to what’s under it.
All paint manufacturers have lots of info on their websites
Mark
[/QUOTE]
It’s best to stick to the top coat manufacturers advice on primers and under coats. They will of course recommend their own products.
You should view the primer, undercoat, topcoat as a total paint system, the three having been extensively tested by the manufacturer and designed to work together.
Otherwise you could risk the same problems as you’ve all ready had where the paint hasn’t adhered to what’s under it.
All paint manufacturers have lots of info on their websites
Mark
[/QUOTE]

 

[bricklin]

[QUOTE="Bouba, post: 7704805, member: 164226"it would be very difficult to view .
Guy who painted it reckons moisture has got in behind during project
Looks like a temporary fix up is all l can do.
I’m at a loss on what filler to use !

It could be rust under the paint. If it’s just surface rust then you should see it if you scrape some of the paint off. Is it possible to look at the inside of the hull in the bad spots to see if there is rust all through ?
[/QUOTE]

 

[Ferris]

Unfortunately letting the painter off the hook has left you in this position, we had a similar issue when our boat was repainted (GRP but the paint reacted with something and blistered) and the painter put it right for the cost of new paint. Is this not something you could look at - he repaints for the money he refunded you - otherwise go legal?

Where is the boat based?

 

[Caraway]

Looks like a temporary fix up is all l can do.
I’m at a loss on what filler to use !

I don't think you have grasped the problem The paint has no adhesion. It's like your boat is sitting in a loose bag of topcoat.
If you try to fair it you are going to be chasing loose paint for years.

If you insist on trying to fill the pockets of loose paint do not use automotive filler. Water softens it to a mush.

 

[bricklin]

I don't think you have grasped the problem The paint has no adhesion. It's like your boat is sitting in a loose bag of topcoat.
If you try to fair it you are going to be chasing loose paint for years.

If you insist on trying to fill the pockets of loose paint do not use automotive filler. Water softens it to a mush.

Thanks for info, lm buying a tub of international interfill 830 and inter prime 820.
Take cracks down to steel , it’s only going to take the bad look off it for the season.
According to most it’s a re paint job , l should have not accepted the project . Although the real disasters did not appear until a few months after paint job.
Any too much time has passed , and it’s repair and move on .

 

[bricklin]

Unfortunately letting the painter off the hook has left you in this position, we had a similar issue when our boat was repainted (GRP but the paint reacted with something and blistered) and the painter put it right for the cost of new paint. Is this not something you could look at - he repaints for the money he refunded you - otherwise go legal?

Where is the boat based?

To much time has gone by now , should have taken action a few months after noticing disaster .
It’s spot repair and move on , l now know how to take bad look off it for a year or two

 

[Caraway]

Thanks for info, lm buying a tub of international interfill 830 and inter prime 820.

That reasuringly expensive! At least those bits should stay stuck.

 

[bricklin]

That reasuringly expensive! At least those bits should stay stuck.

many folk on here say stay away from normal car Filler stuff , so going For the proper stuff .