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Repairs & Services Department - Paint Specialists
Bottom Paint
Bottom painting is one of the most important aspects of boat maintenance. There are three key reasons for applying the quality antifouling paint.
- Safety: Heavy fouling reduces responsiveness, adds weight to the hull causing it to sit lower in the water. This can have serious implications in challenging weather conditions.
- Protection: Prolonged fouling growth will damage the substrate of the hull. Remember, gel coat is porous, fouling can actually grow into the gel coat causing serious damage.
- Speed and Efficiency: Fouling causes drag, which slows you down and increases fuel costs.
The type of bottom paint you choose depends on how and where you use your boat. For example, do you go from fresh water to salt water in a years time? Do you keep your boat on a trailer and launch often? How often does your boat leave the slip? What is your boat made of (fiberglass, wood, steel, etc.)? With these questions we can determine the correct paint for you.
Preparation is the key. It seems simple, a little sanding and rolling on another coat. Unfortunately, it's not that easy. At Boatworx the first thing we do is analyze your current paint condition. How thick is is, what type is it, is it chipping or peeling off? We find out how and where you use your boat and determine the best paint process for you. Sometimes is is best to remove all existing paint for a fresh start. There are many reasons for this. Most commonly there is excessive paint buildup or blisters that need attention. Our preferred method of removing paint is sandblasting. It is the quickest and safest way to remove paint. The blasting media is especially made for this purpose. Once the bottom is clean we highly recommend using a surface primer and sealer. This will fill in any small cracks or imperfections in the surface. For boats that present with blisters, the blasting process assists in exposing the blisters for the proper repair process to take place. Once the proper paint is selected it is then applied. In some cases we will paint a "scratch coat" first prior to the application of your final color choice. This "scratch coat" will tell you when the boat needs a coat of paint. For example, if your final color is to be red. You base coat is painted blue. When your boat is hauled and you see blue you know it is time for a re-coat.
Wax
Proper waxing maintenance is key to preserving your boats' show room finish. Frequency of waxing and/or buffing is based upon whether your boat is painted or has a gel coat finish. A painted boat, for example, affords the owner a harder sealed surface. Painted boats also require waxing. Generally the painted boat tends to retain a shine longer than a gel coat surface. As a result, waxing of the surface is performed generally once a year. The waxing of a painted boat is important to maintain shine and waxing will also assist in keeping the boat cleaner between washings, make washing easier. Beware of buffing a painted boat. Some marine paints should not be buffed. Check with your boat paint manufacturer prior to any buffing process.
Gel coat is porous! As such, it can attract and hold dirt and grime more so than a painted boat. It will also oxidize quicker than a painted boat. In these cases, simple waxing will not cure these problem situations. The boat will need to be buffed. Buffing is the process of deep cleaning the gel coat and bringing back a shine. Sometimes this is a one step process with a very light compound. If your boat shows some spots that seem to shine and others that seem duller, then you will need a light buffing. If your boat shows no shine or seems to be stained with a yellowish tint you may need to address the situation with a courser compound to clean then a lighter compound to bring back the shine. When buffing is completed, you should see no "swirl marks" or compound residue in the shape or circles left behind by the buffing wheel. You should only see an even shined surface. Your boat is then ready for wax. Remember gel coat is porous. Like your skin, you have just spent time and money to bring back shine. Now protect it with quality marine wax. Wax is a sunscreen for your boat. The wax will help to seal the pours and make washing easier. Once your boat is waxed in spring before launch, it should be waxed again at least once during the summer months to retain the sealing and shine properties.
Yips stripes! Dark colors and striping seems to oxidize faster than the rest of the boat. It's very important to stay on top of stripes with a good quality wax. If your dark colors are showing oxidation, then buffing will be necessary. Stripes left left for too long may not be able to be brought back to color and shine. If that's the case, paint may be your only option.
A couple of Boatworx tips: If your boat needs to be buffed to bring back shine, no amount of wax will help. Waxing your boat when it needs buffing can be costly and results can be ineffective. Waxing a boat that needs buffing will end up with shine in some areas but remain dull in others. We avoid using products that contain carnauba. Carnauba tends to have a yellowing effect on gel coat. We tape off water lines to prevent wax from staining antifouling paint. We even use products that remove water spots and staining instead of just waxing over those areas. We only use professional products specifically designed for gel coat and/or painted boats. Buffing and waxing is a skill. We've all seen the boat with swirl marks along the sides or the boat that still has wax on it from the last wax job, dull in some spots, shine in others. "The Boatworx Way" utilizes the best products for your boat applied professionally for a perfect finish.
Ships Store
We don't offer your typical ships store. There are no shoes, nautical shirts or cute boat knickknacks. We stock items you will actually need while you are in storage with us! Stock items include: bottom paints and supplies, stainless steel fasteners, waxes and wiring supplies just to name a few. If you need a specialized items or hard to find parts we have worldwide access to just about anything you would require. We'll be glad to find it for you.
Boatworx Paint Shop
Do:
- Always wear proper protective gear. Bottom paint is toxic. Cover your skin and face. Over-exposure to excessive amounts of copper can make you sick. Wear a respirator.
- Read the instructions before you start! Times between coats, time to launch and other important information can be found right in the instructions.
- Always ask for help! If you choose to do it yourself we can assist you. We want you to be safe, perform the job correctly and complete your work without creating a mess on your boat or others.
Do Not:
- Apply any bottom paint without sanding first. The paint will not stick if the surface is not sanded properly first.
- Mix brands of paint. If your current bottom paint is unknown it's best to remove it and start over. Some paints are incompatible with others and will actually lift old paint.
- Use any old paint for metal parts. Out drives, trim tabs and other underwater gear require a special paint made for metal.
- Paint zincs or transducers. Your depth sounder will not work if there is paint on it. There are special antifouling paints for transducers.
- "Just touch up" if you can help it. It creates uneven amounts of paint on the boat. It is best to sand all then apply one even coat.
