Bottom Paint question

[Nebe]

This past fall I purchased a Columbia 31 that had been sitting on the hard for 5 years. The bottom was painted 5 years ago and it sat out of the water for 5 years. its a non ablative antifouling of unknown brand..

So the question is... should I sand this stuff down or just across the fingers and hope its still "alive".

[sgbernd]

Probably it is fine. Most of the paints are copper based, and the copper didn't go anywhere. It is supposed to leach into the water but it can't leach into the air. That said, other additives like Ingarol (biocide for slime and algea) are probably degraded or gone by now but they only last the first year or so anyway. I would use it as is and deal with it after it fails. The cost then won't be any greater than now except for the cost of another haul and block which (at least hear) is on the order of a gallon of Trinidad SR.

s.g.bernd

[Sea Hunt Video]

Nebe:

This chart is provided by Sea Hawk paints and may be of some help in making your decision.

http://www.bottompaintstore.com/images/ ... elines.pdf

I am not currently able to find the reference document but I recall being told by Sea Hawk that you should launch soon after the bottom paint dries in order for a non-ablative to perform properly. If you boat had non-ablative paint applied and then sat on the hard for 5 years it may well be worth it to start over with a fresh and clean bottom.

Disclaimer: I know very little about this stuff; just what I have read from sources of unknown reliability.

[Jim Walsh]

I agree with Roberto. After sitting exposed for five New England winters it would be prudent to prepare the surface according to the manufacturers application instructions and apply a fresh coat of the paint of your choice. All the big sales on bottom paint are right around the corner.

[Nebe]

Ok. Thanks All. This was my hunch. Painting in the spring it is!!!

[John Stone]

Roberto is correct. It doesn’t go bad exactly but the copper can’t leach out. I’m sure there is some kind of technical term for it. It would be very helpful if you knew exactly what paint you used. Some/many paints are not compatible with different paint. But the manufacturers have charts and their tech reps can provide instruction as well.

I had a similar problem on the Far Reach—though I used ablative paint. I painted the bottom to protect the barrier coat from the UV. But it was at least another four years before I finished the rebuild and finally launched her. One of the reasons I went with the paint I chose is it was a multi season paint that could withstand being hauled out. Supposedly, you can haul out and relaunch at some point in the future. But, I must have forgot the fine print that said the paint needs to be “reactivated” if out of the water for more than a couple months. It only required power washing if I remember correctly. It worked pretty good for about six months then it just collapsed. I was scrubbing all the way through the West Indies. I used the same paint again this time and splashed her about 36 hours after we painted and that was 18 months ago. It’s holding up very well so far—even back in the West Indies where we are now.