| Preparation is the key when painting on any | | | | until the surface is contaminant-free. |
| surface. Applying bottom paint for boats is not | | | | Sand and Clean Your Hull |
| the cleanest of jobs, but it really simple to do. | | | | Sand to a uniformly frosty, dull looking surface |
| Below you will find the exact steps to insure a | | | | with 80-100 grit (no finer) sandpaper, rewash with |
| good bottom paint job, whether you have a new | | | | S-80 Wax N' Grease Killer, S-90 De-Wax Etch |
| boat, or a boat that has existing antifouling paint | | | | & Cleaner. |
| on it. | | | | Apply the Bottom Paint |
| Bottom Paint for Boats Preparation on Bare | | | | Apply minimum of two coats of paint. Allow 3 to |
| Fiberglass | | | | 6 hours between coats and a minimum overnight |
| Clean | | | | dry before launching. Some paint may require |
| When painting a bare fiberglass / gel coat hull for | | | | more than 2 coats. |
| the first time, it is extremely important that all | | | | Tip: Epoxy systems on the bottom of bare |
| contaminants such as grease, oil, wax, salt, or | | | | fiberglass is the best way to protect your boat |
| other foreign material are completed removed | | | | against blisters. It also provides added adhesion of |
| prior to sanding or application of a Sea Hawk | | | | the antifouling paint to the hull. Click Here for the |
| System. Scrub the surface with a detergent soap | | | | steps that you need to take for proper application |
| and stiff bristle brush. | | | | of a marine epoxy primer (barrier coat system) |
| A. Clean and de-wax fiberglass hull with S-80 Wax | | | | to the bottom of a boat. |
| N' Grease Killer solvent based dewax. Saturate | | | | Bottom Paint Preparation Over Existing Paint |
| cheese clothrag and wipe thoroughly to remove | | | | Clean |
| any cleaner and contaminants. Be sure to remove | | | | Clean the existing boat bottom paint with a |
| any residue before it dries and change rags | | | | pressure washing or a detergent washing. If you |
| frequently to insure contaminants are completely | | | | have excess build up of growth, you can remove |
| removed. | | | | this by scraping and or muratic acid. Try to get all |
| OR | | | | growth residue off the existing old paint so that |
| B. Apply S-90 De-Wax Etch & Cleaner with a | | | | you have good adhesion of the new bottom paint. |
| maroon 3M Scotch-Brite® pad scrubbing | | | | Scuff Sand |
| thoroughly. Do not allow cleaner to dry on the | | | | Scuff sand to a dull looking surface with 80-100 |
| surface and remove by flushing with water.Rinse | | | | grit (no finer) sandpaper, then rinse with water |
| entire surface with water and check for any | | | | and allow to dry. If your old bottom paint is really |
| beadingon the surface which will indicate that wax | | | | chalky, consider giving it a more agressive sanding |
| is still present. If necessary repeat step 2 again | | | | to insure proper adhesion of the new paint. |