What paint to use below water line

[tony1969]

Hello

My dad is restoring a small fishing boat new project!

He has just flowcoat the top which was hard work but it is nice and shiny

He is now looking to paint the bottom

The boat will be kept on a trailer and just put in the sea as and when He uses it for the day then back on the trailer

After flowcoating the top He is looking for something straight forward and glossy

Can you use one part paint below the water line or do I need 2 part
It a fibreglass bottom with old antifoul on it at the moment


Any suggestions would help

Thanks Tony

 

[Mr Googler]

I would just antifoul it.

you’ll have to remove all the old antifoul right back to the gel coat to then paint it. It’ll be way worse than flowcoating the top was!

 

[PCUK]

Agreed, just wash off and antifoul.

 

[alancollins]

Or he could coat it with a primer. The sort of stuff you use when you want to change to a different anti-foul. It won't be a gloss finish but he could add some gloss to the primer or recoat it afterwards.

 

[Mr Googler]

Gloss is only gloss because it’s smooth. Getting it gloss ready smooth is the hard part

 

[tony1969]

Thank you very much for the response

There is no gel coat on the bottom
It has black antifoul which in places has completely disappeared exposing the red fibreglass of the boat
There are signs of a primer as I can see grey paint in places

We bought the boat in this condition

1 If I just antifoul can I just paint straight over the old antifoul or do I need to give the old antifoul a light key

2 do I need to prime where the old antifoul and old primer has worn away exposing the red fibreglass of the boat

3 or can I just prime over the lot and apply new antifoul

Sorry if my question sound vague

Please picture
Tony

 

[PCUK]

You could pressure wash it to remove any loose stuff. If the red bits are shiny, then abrade them to give a good key. Then slap on the new stuff and you are done!

 

[tony1969]

Thanks

I will pressure wash wet n dry then paint antifoul straight on

Thanks for the help

Tony

 

[alancollins]

If your Dad is keeping it on a trailer and only using it as a day boat why antifoul it?

 

[James jameson]

Interest in the comment “ no gelcoat on the bottom” - never heard of this can’t just be matting and resin ?

 

[Mr Googler]

If your Dad is keeping it on a trailer and only using it as a day boat why antifoul it?

Already antifouled