Bottom job

  • February 18, 2022 5:44 PM
    Message # 12611303

    Has anyone had their hull "peeled" ? What was the routine ? Barrier coat ? 

    Thanks , Mark .


    2 files
  • February 20, 2022 1:25 PM
    Reply # 12614234 on 12611303
    Anonymous member (Administrator)
    Mark Miller wrote:

    Has anyone had their hull "peeled" ? What was the routine ? Barrier coat ? 

    Thanks , Mark .


    Mark: 

    There is a hand held planer that will remove the gel coat and expose fiberglass which I think is the peel.  I've NOT been involved with this process but suspect that it is used when there is serious delamination and/or the hull has absorbed moisture and there are many blisters. I suspect that a layer of fiberglass with epoxy will need to be applied before a barrier coat and then bottom paint.  

    Routine is to rough sand the existing bottom paint and recoat.  This assumes that the bottom is in reasonable condition.  

    Barrier coat is usually applied to the gel coat (if in good condition) or after the gel coat is removed and is used to seal up the fiberglass. Usually multiple layers are suggested. 

    Looking at your pictures there seems to be many spots that have been ground down. Were these blisters? ie had some liquid leaking out? or bubbles of old bottom paint? Are these spots soft to the touch- ie delaminations?

    Generally, the westsails aren't known for blistering but there are exceptions of course. 

    I'm going to ping a couple of folks who have more experience. 

    Another option is to call the bottom paint tech support line and see what they say. 

    HTH

    Jay

  • February 20, 2022 3:22 PM
    Reply # 12614414 on 12611303

    Hi Jay ,  I vaguely know about the "peeling" process . Just didn't want to think about it , but now I think I might have to . My first blister job was back in the 90's , I had a good amount of blisters back then and every time I go to the yard I have more than the last time . But they are new ones .  I generally  go to my DIY yard about every 5 years and do all the work myself , my blisters range from pea size to quarter size some are broken open and bleeding  . Most are into the first layer of glass I have never counted them but there are about ten or more  per one square foot . My pictures are from my last time at the yard , the shot of the big blister was the worst I have had  . Water had gotten in-between the first and second layer of glass and started to delaminate . I had the yard fix that one for me , I ground it out and they glassed it and then I faired it . 

    Anyhow my DIY yard is no more actually I'm relived , it's too much work for me anymore .

    Also I want to get new through hulls and seacocks . In the next couple of weeks I'll go to my "new" no DIY yard and we will see what they have to say I will keep you posted but I would still like to hear from others . 

    PS Here in California LA county copper bottom paint has been banned , anyone use the new stuff ? 

    Thanks , Mark .

    1 file
    Last modified: February 20, 2022 6:02 PM | Anonymous member
  • February 21, 2022 11:01 AM
    Reply # 12615895 on 12611303

    Hello Mark,  I have “peeled” at least 5 boats but never with a “peeler”.  I have used a 4 1/4” grinder.  I just did Saraband 3 years ago.  It took approximately 2 days.  In this case I took off all bottom paint, all barrier coat, and any blisters that were noticed.  In my case 98% of my problems were between the gel-coat and barrier coats.  I had very little problem under the gel-coat.  If I found a blister I just ground it out.   I take care not to distort the original fairness of the hull.  You must be relatively careful.  I would then address any gouges as necessary.  Some would only need epoxy filling and fairing while others may need the addition of a little glass.  After all fairing, I applied 5 coats of barrier coat.   One grey, 2 white, and 2 grey, if I remember correctly.                   Sand blasting is perhaps the best technique to peel the bottom, but is getting difficult to have that done.  I have finished 3 boats that were peeled this way.       Good luck,   Dave

  • February 21, 2022 6:07 PM
    Reply # 12616602 on 12611303

    Thanks for the reply Dave , sandblasting interesting . Blasting might be a good option I will certainly ask my new yard about that . Staying fair , I always need more time for that . In the past I have always used 3M Marine filler . 

    Thanks again ,

    Mark .

  • April 23, 2022 3:08 PM
    Reply # 12735878 on 12611303

    We are out of the yard . Thankfully there were only a few small (dime size) blisters , all the old ones stayed fixed . They removed two thru hulls and seacocks that were never used in the last 25 years and glassed in the holes . They replaced a thru hull and seacock for the macerator and one for the raw water in the engine room ,that one I had them relocate also . Due to some miss communication the seacock under the galley sink was freed up and not replaced . Next time .

    For bottom paint I have used (in the past) Z-Spar B90 . Ca. will not allow that anymore but they allow Z-Spar B40 it has half the Copper that B90 had .

    Next dragon to slay , Our 80 gal. water tank is starting to leak . Just a few drips but it is leaking . 

    Mark .

    Last modified: April 23, 2022 3:11 PM | Anonymous member
  • April 24, 2022 10:51 AM
    Reply # 12740098 on 12611303
    Anonymous member (Administrator)

    Sound like the haulout was successful -- I'm scheduled to haul at Napa Marina June 6 - I expect to do a lot of sanding - as there are to many layers of bottom paint.  I will also be removing the knot meter sensor and epoxying up the hole... 

    Jay 

  • April 25, 2022 8:15 AM
    Reply # 12744505 on 12611303

    Hi Jay , sounds like your yard is a DIY friendly yard . What kind of copper content paint is available to you ?  In Southern Ca. bottom paint is not consistent , south of me (San Diego) copper paint has been banned . Me , in Long Beach we can get 40% copper paint . Just one year ago we could get 90% .

    North of me , Del Rey  copper is banned . 


  • April 28, 2022 5:50 PM
    Reply # 12759674 on 12744505
    Anonymous member (Administrator)
    Mark Miller wrote:

    Hi Jay , sounds like your yard is a DIY friendly yard . What kind of copper content paint is available to you ?  In Southern Ca. bottom paint is not consistent , south of me (San Diego) copper paint has been banned . Me , in Long Beach we can get 40% copper paint . Just one year ago we could get 90% .

    North of me , Del Rey  copper is banned . 


    Yes the Napa Valley Marina - is very DIY friendly.  I'll know more about the copper density later. 

    Jay