Aquaguard bottom paint with interlux or similar barrier?????

[cobrapowersys]

I just purchased a 1995 Grady White 26 Islander with no bottom paint, and looks like it has never been bottom painted. After some research, I would like to use the Aquaguard bottom paint, question is in the northeast, (NJ) does anyone know if I need a barrier coat (or 2) similar to the Interlux 2000 before I apply the aquaguard?

 

[richie rich]

The aqua gaurd line usually needs a coat of their own primer (solvent based!) to be painted on prior to the bottom paint for better bonding......it is not a true barrier coat like Interlux Interprotect...the Interprotect is an actual epoxy and you normally put on 4-5 coats for water permeation protection....if your boat hull is solid and pristine, you probably don't need it, and as once you put on barrier coat...she ain't coming off...at least not easily...I've used it (IP) on older boats that were beat up a bit and I wanted that extra protection after making some repairs to the gelcoat.

 

[uncljohn]

The term "aquaguard" is misleading in that this is NOT a barrier coat type of product. How long do you intend on keepnig your boat in the water? I would say that if you keep it in a slip for the season, or even for a few weeks at a time, you should consider a barrier coat prior to applying this paint.

You do need 3-5 coats of a barrier coat product to get proper protection.

 

[gradyfish22]

Always barrier coat a boat, the other alternative is to use a coat of " hard" single season bottom paint below the ablative, not as good but effective to prevent 99% of water logging issues. New boats do not have issues as often, but over time can and likely will develop some seepage into the hull without a barrier coat. To do things right, use a barrier coat and since aquaguard is water soluble, I'd recommend there other product as a barrier coat. Not barrier coating or prepping the hull right can prove to be costly down the road.

 

[MikeC]

bottom paint system

I too will be taking on a new bottom system in the next few weeks. My boat is an 03 Marlin that was never painting. I have been reading around and spoke at length to the interlux rep at the boat show.

I was thinking of using the barrier coat product, but not using the full number of coats to get a true barrier coat.

the interlux rep seemed to think that a full barrier coat was not necessary.

I plan to have the gelcoat sanded prior. I plan to keep keep the boat in the water from April - November.

Does anyone have thoughts on my plan?

I have never put on a new bottom system, so appreciate the advice.
thansk

 

[uncljohn]

Why would you not use the full # of coats? to save $?

A barrier coat is essentially a bunch of 'platelets' (like fish scales), that overlap each other. It must be thinned w/ epoxy thinner to apply, and goes on as a very thin coat. That is why you need to apply 4-5 coats to get a true barrier. I applied a grey coat to my white hull. Took a good 3 coats to not see ANY white. I then added 3 coats of white barrier coat in order to not see anymore grey. So I know I have 100% coverage.

Essentially, you're wanting to put on a raincoat with holes in it. Is that smart? The implications of a holey raincoat are much less severe than a holey barrier coat.

Make sure that before sanding the hull, you use the interlux solvent wash to remove any wax or other chemicals on the hull. Interprotect has a # of secondary items to use when applying a barrier coat (solvent wash, epoxy thinner, etc) and you do NOT want to shortcut those steps.

 

[cobrapowersys]

Thanks for the feedback!

Thanks for the feedback, I will be putting the recommended 4-5 coats inter protect, followed by 2 coats interlux micron