[C320-list] Process for bottom painting while commissioning a newCatalina?

[Paul Rickman]

When the paint is coming off on to the roller it is time to strip the bottom and repaint. I have used, and
recommend peel away. Follow the directions on the container. Won't hurt the bottom but sure gets rid
of the paint. In my case, 10 years of bottom paint. Buy it at Home Depot -- help the economy but cheaper
than West Marine. I've posted this before, but here is what I did:
 
Put it on following directions. Put down plastic on the ground then go home for the night.
Next morning take a 3 or 4 inch putty knife and scrape all the paint onto the plastic. Roll up
the plastic and put it into the trash. Using a dry wall sander, wet sand the bottom until it is clean. Using 80 grit paper lightly sand the bottom. Put on the required coats of barrier coat 2000/2001 (follow directions). Before the last coat cures completely, put on the first coat of of bottom paint. Put on second coat of bottom paint and go sailing. 
 
I have done three boats with this process. It works.
 
Paul
Affinity, 657
 
 




________________________________
From: Rod Boer <rod.boer1 at verizon.net>
To: C320-List at Catalina320.com
Sent: Tuesday, January 27, 2009 8:12:15 PM
Subject: Re: [C320-list] Process for bottom painting while commissioning a newCatalina?

Jon,

I have been using the same approach; however, the bottom paint is failing at
an increasing rate.  When I start rolling a coating of the more expensive
bottom paint and the previously layers just peel off on the roller it drives
me crazy because it is almost impossible to get it smooth.  It chips off
pretty easily; however, I injured my arm when fending off a piling in the
fall so I will probably use a stripper that won't damage the gel coat.

I agree with you that it was probably an issue with removing the mold
release or in my case the weather might have been unsettled during the
commissioning.  Thanks.

Rod

-----Original Message-----
From: c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com
[mailto:c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com] On Behalf Of Jon Vez
Sent: Tuesday, January 27, 2009 7:55 PM
To: C320-List at Catalina320.com
Subject: Re: [C320-list] Process for bottom painting while commissioning a
newCatalina?

Rod,

I had the same problem when mine was commissioned (in '99) and I believe it
is because of the dealer doing a shoddy job of removing the mold release.
I've since seen that mine wasn't the exception. Had I determined this after
the first season I would have taken it back to the dealer and had it redone.
Needless to say I've been paying the price ever since. As chunks of paint
come off I dewax and try to build up the area. My hope is over time I will
get good adhesion over time.
I looked into soda blasting but I didn't feel comfortable with the process.
Even though the medium is soft, it can still penetrate the vinylester. I had
the soda blaster try a test patch on my keel and it resulted in some pock
marks. The soda blaster ultimately wasn't comfortable doing the job either.
I may try a chemical stripper at some point, but this is a big job and I
think the little by little approach is the one I'm going to stick with for
now...

Regards,

Jon Vez
Solstice #582

-----Original Message-----
From: c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com
[mailto:c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com] On Behalf Of Rod Boer
Sent: Tuesday, January 27, 2009 7:16 PM
To: C320-List
Subject: [C320-list] Process for bottom painting while commissioning a new
Catalina?

All,



Is anyone familiar with the current practice of painting the bottom of
Catalina's when commissioning.  When Odyssey, which has a vinyl ester hull,
was commissioned in the summer of 1999, the process at the dealer I
purchased it from was to remove the mold release, apply a no-sand primer,
and then apply a coat of Interlux ACT.  My understanding was that this
process was recommended by Catalina at that time.  This spring I plan to
strip the bottom down to the gel coat and would like to know the current
procedure.  



The bottom paint has been a problem from the beginning but I think that it
might have been caused by the execution of the process but not necessarily
the process.  It would be helpful to compare the current process versus the
process when commissioned.  Thanks.



Rod Boer

Odyssey