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Author Topic:   Technique for Applying Bottom Paint and Cost
jtms posted 11-20-2010 10:16 AM ET (US)   Profile for jtms   Send Email to jtms  
[Solicits only from people who have actually applied bottom paint to their own boat] tips on how to jack up a boat [for the purpose of applying anti-fouling paint to its bottom]. Is [the process of applying bottom paint yourself] worth the trouble? Or, is [the trouble less] to just pay someone? I have always paid someone. Every year I think it probably takes them a hour to [apply the anti-fouling paint] and they charge an arm and a leg.

I had a buddy say just paint [the boat] on the trailer. Next time you put it on the trailer put it on crooked and then paint under the bunks. Just curious to see if this is one of these deals that will be a piece of cake or will it turn into a miserable endeavor?

wezie posted 11-20-2010 10:34 AM ET (US)     Profile for wezie  Send Email to wezie     
Hanging the boat is the best method if it is available. The "professionals?" do have this ability and that is the reason it takes them only a couple of hours.

Painting on the trailer will be tedious, but can be done. It will also be a mess; working in small places. Jack stands are available, and sometimes can be rented. Might get an estimate from two sources and then price all the ingredients you will need. Then make the decision.
Good Luck?

jimh posted 11-20-2010 10:47 AM ET (US)     Profile for jimh  Send Email to jimh     
(Moved to REPAIRS/MODS. Please initiate discussions seeking advice on repairs or modifications in REPAIRS/MODS. Since I have not actually applied bottom paint to my boat myself I am not permitted further comment on tips on how to jack up a boat.)
macfam posted 11-20-2010 05:27 PM ET (US)     Profile for macfam  Send Email to macfam     
What size boat are we talking about?

contender posted 11-20-2010 05:56 PM ET (US)     Profile for contender  Send Email to contender     
Macfam is correct: What size boat. I would flip up to a 17(just get four friends over one morning for some beers ok its morning champagne cocktails) and put it on some short saw horses. Easier to work on (not dripping paint in your face) you can see what you are doing and spots you miss, do it all at once, and you will not get paint all over your trailer. No way would I try to paint the bottom of a boat on a trailer. Do it right do it once...Take care
Otness posted 11-21-2010 03:25 PM ET (US)     Profile for Otness  Send Email to Otness     
Couple of years ago I did my 14 ft rage that had never been in salt water. Four step process and messy but worth it as I have watched marina's spend two hours to do my large 50 ft Tollycraft and bill me for four plus hours. I do both boats myself. On the Rage I just moved it in different position on the trailer to reach all the spots or jack it up a little on side at time.

First use wax remover solvent wash 202 to be sure all mold release coating is removed, then a coat of no sand primer, then two coats of antifouling paint. I would suggest Micron CSC if the boat is one that goes in and out of water. Some antifouling paints are not recommended for multiple launches.

All the directions are on the Micron CSC can. The paint has held up well for last 3/4 years.

zx12r posted 11-21-2010 09:00 PM ET (US)     Profile for zx12r  Send Email to zx12r     
2 ladders one on each side of the bow and a strong piece of pipe and a strong ratchet strap will lift her up and then all you need to do is touch up the back after it drys.
tom976 posted 11-21-2010 09:41 PM ET (US)     Profile for tom976  Send Email to tom976     
I do my 23' conquest myself. It gets nicely blocked up by the hauler at the end of the season. The big cost can be the paint itself. Not cheap if you get the good ablative stuff. Not a big fan of jacking up the front with a bottle jack to get under the sections that are normally resting under the bow. (I tried to use my 2 ton auto jack but it maxed out)

Tom

macfam posted 11-22-2010 07:23 AM ET (US)     Profile for macfam  Send Email to macfam     
Every season, I use jack stands and wood blocks at the aft end of my 13, and jack up the bow using 2 step ladders with a pair of 2x4's spanning the front, and jack up the bow.
The 2x4 span allows the trailer to be pulled straight out. Then I support the mid section with large wooden blocks.

It is very simple and easy. It permits me to get under the boat to prep and bottom paint.
When completed, I just reverse the process.

For years, I have used Pettit Hydrocoat ablative water-based anti-fouling paint. Easy to use, super-easy clean-up, and works well against any growth. At the end of each season (5-6 months on Cape Cod in a warm water harbor) the only thing needed is a quick power-wash to remove any slime.

jtms posted 11-22-2010 08:04 AM ET (US)     Profile for jtms  Send Email to jtms     
Some good tips. It is a Montauk so 17 of course. I did some bottom paint touch-ups the other day and it got me thinking. Sounds like it is not very difficult to jack her up, but sounds like the mess will be a deal breaker for me. I don't think I want paint all over my trailer or driveway. Sounds like $400 is money well spent.

Maybe I will talk my buddy into painting his boat so we can dirty up his trailer. I would like to try it some time because it seems like it would be real easy.

jtms posted 11-22-2010 08:07 AM ET (US)     Profile for jtms  Send Email to jtms     
Once you figure in the cost of paint, $400 seems like a deal.
tom976 posted 11-22-2010 09:44 AM ET (US)     Profile for tom976  Send Email to tom976     
Its a whole lot of fun. These are the things I use to paint every year.

Nice long sleeve jacket (or shirt) and jeans. (protect those arms and legs)

When you prep the bottom, I always take a nice 100 grain sheet or two of sandpaper and rough things up a little.
(make sure to wear a dust mask. Cuprous oxide isn't the best thing to breath in)

Make sure to get any loose paint off.

Wash it all down, let it dry.

Get a nice roll or two of blue painters tape and get that water/paint line set.

While at your favorite home improvement store, make sure to get a drill mixer. (only a couple of bucks) They attach to any drill and mix that paint. The copper in antifouling paint tends to settle at the bottom. Mixing it by hand is possible, but the drill mixer makes short work of it and does it well.

Paint away! I use a nice wide paint brush myself.
Rollers work good, but soak up paint. At the price per gallon of that stuff I want every drop. I also feel that I get a nice heavy coat when slopping the stuff on. Rollers seem to put it on a bit thin.

Tom

modenacart posted 11-24-2010 08:46 AM ET (US)     Profile for modenacart  Send Email to modenacart     
A respirator is about $30, a small price to pay to keep your lungs clean.
tom976 posted 11-24-2010 12:02 PM ET (US)     Profile for tom976  Send Email to tom976     
A good respirator is certainly better than a dust mask. I do see guys at a local marina don't use ANYTHING.

I guess certain labor is cheap.

flboy0638 posted 11-24-2010 09:51 PM ET (US)     Profile for flboy0638  Send Email to flboy0638     
Im about to flip over my Newport this weekend. Doing it with 4 friends. Ill let you know how it goes.

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