What 2 paint dilemma !

[AIDY]

okay so I have a dilemma on what to use to paint on the hull. I have various option's but don't want to make it too complicated...

So here's the scenario 10 year old AWB, Anti fouling been stripped of the hull not the keel or rudder and down to gel coat at present and sanded in prep to paint the bottom when the weather gets better. I've already bought a 5 litre can of micron extra for the anti fouling. but what should I paint on the hull as a base coat.

The hull's sound with no blisters or sign of osmosis and is "dry". As far as i can see from new it's just had anti fouling painted on the bottom with no preperation.

various option's

1) degrease and paint international primocon on the whole hull as a primer then slap a few coats of antifouling on - minimal cost at roughtly £50 for the primer. probably more than that was done at commisioning stage back in 1999.

2) degrease and use an osmosis protection primer which will require up to 5 coats at a cost of £400 + numerous weekends at the boat before march (with the right weather) then slap 2 coats of A/F on the hull.

I know what i should be doing but don't what to start building too many layers of paint up - but i'm now veering to the easy option ! is this the right attitude to take ?

TIA

 

[BAtoo]

Depends when you want to go sailing; Primocon is more temperature tolerant and you only need 2 coats max - so its quick & easy (& supposed to give some protection as well as priming). Potentially with iffy weather you could take several weeks to find the right conditions for each coat of epoxy (and you need several coats) - and you still then have to do the primer and AF !! Only 14 weekends till easter.

I'm getting a bit twitchy about doing something simlar to my Squib's bottom in time and its in a garage!!! /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

 

[saltwater_gypsy]

You should do a proper check with a moisture meter (Tramex?) before epoxy painting underwater hull surfaces otherwise you tend to seal in the moisture and get poor adhesion (or worse).
If you take readings above and below the waterline you get a reasonable calibration.
The epoxy protection dries very quickly at reasonable temperatures so you can lay on the 5 coats quite quickly. I think minimum application is 10C so you may have to wait a bit!!!

 

[steve28]

awlgrip every time, we sprayed in a field in march in the open. looks fantastic even ten years on. they also do an addative thats speeds up the curing.

 

[alahol2]

I took half my 25 year old hull back to gel last year, sanded lightly, one coat of (I think Flag) primer then 2 of A/F. This year it looks fine, no sign of flaking or any other problems.
Just got to do the other half this year so we are just as fast on the other tack /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[AIDY]

was that a standard primer as opposed to a osmosis protection primer ?

The more I think about it this is the route i'm going to take. couple of coats of primocon the a few coat's of A/F /forums/images/graemlins/ooo.gif

 

[tabernacleman]

HI, my preference has always been to give five coats of VC Tar, gives epoxy protection, smooth as silk and takes the anti foul, not too expensive and on the right day a thirty footer can be easily finished on your own. If you use an epoxy and don't complete the full treatment within the time indicated on the tin I think you need to abraid between coats (not recommended) /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

 

[alahol2]

Yes, just plain A/F primer. I reckon if I haven't got osmosis yet then I'm unlikely to get it in the future... last words