I just bought a 1985 robalo boat in need of bottom paint?

Question

i can't afford to have a professional do the work . so want to know is this something i can do myself? if so how might i go about this. any help would be greatly appreciated.

Answer 1

This an an easy maintenance job.  Make sure the any loose paint chips are removed. Tape off the water line, you can follow the along the current upper line of the bottom paint.  Purchase a good quality bottom paint.  If you are keeping on a trailer use a non ablative bottom paint - such as Interlux Fiberglass Bottom coat.

You can use a roller to help speed up the job and use a brush to get to areas you can not reach with a brush.  

Take a look at the web site for some information:

http://www.yachtpaint.com/

  

Answer 2

If your old bottom paint is ablative (soft) you can't put hard paint over it. You can put soft over hard. Soft bottom paint generally is more resistant to growth build-up, as it abates, or sloughs off, but as a result is more polluting, and if you haul your boat out every time the paint will rub off on your trailer runners. Hard bottom paint is more durable and can be scrubbed. Either type- prepare the surface with a scraper followed by a piece of bronze wool and a bucket of water, let dry, then roll or brush on and let dry according to the directions on the label

Answer 3

It's super easy to do yourself. Look on the West Marine website. They sell what you need, and the catalog used to have a section on how to put it on. If you have a West Marine store near you, they will hook you up with everything you need. You may need to have someone tell you what the old bottom paint was though. Some kinds can't overcoat other kinds. It pays to be careful.

Good luck!