Ayrton Oneill
Painting the bottom of a boat is a messy job, but it's worth it for improved boat performance. There are two types of bottom paints: hard or ablative. Hard paints are effective for a single season and build up over time, requiring costly removal. Ablative paints come in single-season and multi-season varieties and don't build up. To strip bottom paint from a boat, you'll need to scrape and sand away the paint, then give the bottom a thorough wash. If you're painting a new boat for the first time, wipe down the entire bottom with a solvent wash to get rid of all mould release agents from the factory.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| First time painting a new boat | Wipe down the entire bottom with a good solvent wash such as Interlux 202 or Pettit Dewaxer to get rid of all mold release agents from the factory. |
| Lightly sand the hull with 120-grit sandpaper or use a no-sand primer instead, such as Interlux InterProtect® 2000E or Pettit Protect®. | |
| Recoating over a previously painted bottom | Make sure the surface is prepped for another coat. |
| Stripping bottom paint | Place a waste bag directly under the area you’re working on as you scrape to catch the falling paint and stripper. |
| Move the bag as you go and replace it as it fills up. | |
| Some strippers can be power-washed off in controlled circumstances, however, this generally isn’t recommended for DIY bottom-paint stripping due to environmental concerns. | |
| In most cases, the stripper will take off a few layers of paint, but when there are three-plus layers on the hull, most products will require a second application. | |
| There will often be some small areas where the stripper didn’t quite do the job, and you may need to sand away some remaining paint. | |
| Bottom paints | Hard or ablative. |
| Hard bottom paints are typically less expensive than ablative antifouling paints. | |
| Hard paints are effective for a single season and build up season after season, eventually requiring costly removal. | |
| Ablative paints come in single-season and multi-season varieties and don’t build up. |
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What You'll Learn
How to prepare a boat's hull for a new coat of paint
Preparing a boat's hull for a new coat of paint is a messy job, but it pays off with improved boat performance. Here's how to do it:
If you are painting a new boat for the first time, wipe down the entire bottom with a good solvent wash, such as Interlux 202 or Pettit Dewaxer, to get rid of all the mould release agents from the factory. To avoid just spreading the mould release agent over the hull, turn your cloth frequently and replace it often with a clean cloth. You can then lightly sand the hull with 120-grit sandpaper or use a no-sand primer instead, such as Interlux InterProtect 2000E or Pettit Protect.
If you are recoating over a previously painted bottom, you will need to strip the old paint. Stripping bottom paint from a boat can be done with a paint stripper, but this is a messy job. Place a waste bag directly under the area you are working on as you scrape to catch the falling paint and stripper. Move it as you go and replace the bag as it fills up. Keeping the mess contained will help reduce the cleanup at the end of the job. Note that some strippers can be power-washed off in controlled circumstances, but this is not usually recommended for DIY bottom-paint stripping due to environmental concerns. In most cases, the stripper will take off a few layers of paint, but when there are three or more layers on the hull, most products will require a second application. There will often be some small areas where the stripper didn't quite do the job, and you may need to sand away some remaining paint. Finally, give the bottom a thorough wash. The boat's hull is now prepped for a fresh coat of paint.
When choosing a new paint, consider whether to use a hard or ablative paint. Hard bottom paints are typically less expensive than ablative antifouling paints. However, hard paints are only effective for a single season, and they build up season after season, eventually requiring costly removal. Ablative paints come in single-season and multi-season varieties and don't build up. Hard bottom paint dries hard, stays that way, and doesn't wear away gradually like ablative paint. It works constantly while the boat is in the water, regardless of whether the boat is moving, and stops working once all its copper biocide gradually leaches out.
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How to strip bottom paint from a boat
Stripping bottom paint from a boat can be a messy job, but it pays with improved boat performance. Here's how to do it:
First, if you are painting a new boat for the first time, wipe down the entire bottom with a good solvent wash such as Interlux 202 or Pettit Dewaxer to get rid of all mold release agents from the factory. To avoid just spreading the mold release agent over the hull, turn your cloth frequently and replace it often with a clean cloth. You can then lightly sand the hull with 120-grit sandpaper or use a no-sand primer instead, such as Interlux InterProtect® 2000E or Pettit Protect®.
However, since most of us will be recoating over a previously painted bottom, we will need to make sure the surface is prepped for another coat. Place a waste bag directly under the area you’re working on as you scrape to catch the falling paint and stripper. Move it as you go and replace the bag as it fills up. Keeping the mess contained along the way will help reduce the cleanup at the end of the job. Note that some strippers can be power-washed off in controlled circumstances, however, this generally isn’t recommended for DIY bottom-paint stripping due to environmental concerns.
In most cases, the stripper will take off a few layers of paint, but when there are three-plus layers on the hull, most products will require a second application. There will often be some small areas where, for whatever reason, the stripper didn’t quite do the job, and you may need to sand away some remaining paint. Finally, give the bottom a thorough wash. The boat’s hull is now prepped for a fresh coat of paint.
Bottom paints are usually one of two types: hard or ablative. Hard bottom paints are typically less expensive than ablative antifouling paints. However, hard paints are effective for a single season, and they build up season after season, eventually requiring costly removal. Ablative paints come in single-season and multi-season varieties and don’t build up. Hard bottom paint dries hard, stays that way, and doesn’t wear away gradually like an ablative paint. It works constantly while the boat is in the water, regardless of whether the boat is moving, and stops working once all its copper biocide gradually leaches out.
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How to choose the right bottom paint for your boat
Choosing the right bottom paint for your boat depends on several factors, including the type of boat, how and where you will use it, and the condition of the boat's hull.
Firstly, consider the type of boat you have and how you use it. The paint you choose should be compatible with the material of your boat's hull. For example, vinyl paints should only be applied over vinyl hulls. Additionally, if your boat spends a lot of time in the water or moves frequently, you may need a different type of paint than if it is used more intermittently.
Secondly, the location where you will be boating is important. Different environments may require different types of paint to protect against specific types of marine growth. For instance, if you are boating in an area with a lot of algae, slime, or weeds, you may want to choose an antifouling paint that includes an algaecide.
Thirdly, consider the current condition of your boat's hull. If your boat already has an old coat of bottom paint, you will need to choose a paint that is compatible with the existing layer. If you are starting from scratch, you have more flexibility in your choice of paint.
Finally, it is important to consult a paint compatibility chart and follow the manufacturer's instructions to ensure that you are choosing the right paint for your specific boat and usage.
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How to apply bottom paint to a new boat
If you are painting a new boat for the first time, you should wipe down the entire bottom with a good solvent wash, such as Interlux 202 or Pettit Dewaxer, to get rid of all the mould release agents from the factory. To avoid just spreading the mould release agent over the hull, turn your cloth frequently and replace it often with a clean cloth. You can then lightly sand the hull with 120-grit sandpaper or use a no-sand primer instead, such as Interlux InterProtect 2000E or Pettit Protect.
Bottom paints are usually one of two types: hard or ablative. Hard bottom paints are typically less expensive than ablative antifouling paints, but they are only effective for a single season and they build up season after season, eventually requiring costly removal. Ablative paints come in single-season and multi-season varieties and don't build up. Hard bottom paint dries hard, stays that way, and doesn't wear away gradually like ablative paint. It works constantly while the boat is in the water, regardless of whether the boat is moving, and stops working once all its copper biocide gradually leaches out.
When applying the paint, it is important to place a waste bag directly under the area you're working on as you scrape to catch the falling paint and stripper. Move it as you go and replace the bag as it fills up. Keeping the mess contained will help reduce the cleanup at the end of the job. Some strippers can be power-washed off in controlled circumstances, however, this generally isn't recommended for DIY bottom-paint stripping due to environmental concerns. In most cases, the stripper will take off a few layers of paint, but when there are three or more layers on the hull, most products will require a second application. There will often be some small areas where the stripper didn't quite do the job, and you may need to sand away some remaining paint. Finally, give the bottom a thorough wash. The boat's hull is now prepped for a fresh coat of paint.
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How to avoid spreading mould release agent over the hull
To avoid spreading mould release agent over the hull, turn your cloth frequently and replace it often with a clean cloth. You can then lightly sand the hull with 120-grit sandpaper or use a no-sand primer instead, such as Interlux InterProtect 2000E or Pettit Protect.
If you are stripping bottom paint from a boat, it can be a messy job. It is recommended to place a waste bag directly under the area you are working on as you scrape to catch the falling paint and stripper. Move it as you go and replace the bag as it fills up. Keeping the mess contained will help reduce the cleanup at the end of the job.
In most cases, the stripper will take off a few layers of paint, but when there are three or more layers on the hull, most products will require a second application. There will often be some small areas where the stripper didn't quite do the job, and you may need to sand away some remaining paint. Finally, give the bottom a thorough wash. The boat's hull is now prepped for a fresh coat of paint.
Bottom paints are usually one of two types: hard or ablative. Hard bottom paints are typically less expensive than ablative antifouling paints. However, hard paints are only effective for a single season and they build up season after season, eventually requiring costly removal. Ablative paints come in single-season and multi-season varieties and don't build up.
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Frequently asked questions
If you are painting a new boat for the first time, wipe down the entire bottom with a good solvent wash such as Interlux 202 or Pettit Dewaxer to get rid of all mold release agents from the factory. You can then lightly sand the hull with 120-grit sandpaper or use a no-sand primer instead, such as Interlux InterProtect® 2000E or Pettit Protect®. If you are recoating over a previously painted bottom, you will need to strip the old paint first.
Use a stripper to remove the old paint. Place a waste bag directly under the area you are working on as you scrape to catch the falling paint and stripper. Move it as you go and replace the bag as it fills up. In most cases, the stripper will take off a few layers of paint, but when there are three-plus layers on the hull, most products will require a second application. There will often be some small areas where the stripper didn't quite do the job, and you may need to sand away some remaining paint.
Bottom paints are usually one of two types: hard or ablative. Hard bottom paints are typically less expensive than ablative antifouling paints. However, hard paints are effective for a single season, and they build up season after season, eventually requiring costly removal. Ablative paints come in single-season and multi-season varieties and don't build up.
Once you have stripped and sanded the old paint and washed the hull, you can apply the new bottom paint.
This depends on the type of bottom paint you use. Hard bottom paints are effective for a single season, while ablative paints come in single-season and multi-season varieties.
