The process that refers to the difficult task of painting the bottom of a boat, the going rate to have an expert perform the task of bottom painting runs near $20 hourly. What used to actually be a casual affair that involved people putting their boats on sandbanks or leaning them against posts has become a much more high-tech operation. Boats have gotten bigger; too big to lean against trees and paint during the tide. Although not the easiest task to perform, one can save much-needed money by performing bottom painting by themselves or with a few friends. Here are some tips and instructions to help ensure your bottom painting experience is a positive one.
Make sure to clean and prepare the bottom of your boat when you haul it in at the end of the season. If you leave the slime and growth on the bottom for too long, it’s going to dry and be much more difficult to remove. The best way to remove the gunk from the bottom of your boat once it’s out of the water is to take a pressure washer to it. Further clean the boat by scrubbing and scraping the bottom after washing. Usually a bucket of water with soap and a rag will do the job, but there are specially made cleaning solutions out there for those who want to take it a step further.
After you’ve cleaned your boat, it’s wise to remove the old layer of paint from the bottom. It is possible to paint over the old layers, but eventually it might all come off at the same time and cause problems. The best thing to do is to use a stripper to remove the paint successfully. Most paint removers will have instructions for use that will produce the best effects.
Once the paint is removed it’s time to sand the boat. Belt sanders are preferred for this task for larger boats, but regular sandpaper will do the trick just fine. In order for a successful bottom painting experience, it’s necessary that the bottom of your boat is as clean as possible and ready for a fresh coat of paint. While performing all of these steps, make sure that you are using the necessary safety precautions and avoiding inhaling paint chips or noxious dust from the bottom coat of paint. Make sure to use a mask when stripping and sanding the paint to avoid negative health consequences.
Bottom paint is often heavy and takes a little more mixing than conventional wall or latex paint. Make sure you take the time and effort to mix the paint properly to reduce the time you have to repaint. If you’ve got a paint shaker, make sure to leave it on for at least 5 minutes in order to get the copper and pigment evenly distributed through the substance. Make sure to dig deep to the bottom until it feels clean and free of chunks. The technique is similar to any type of painting; remember to stir the paint each time you add more to the paint try to maintain a high level of consistency.
For bottom painting, experts recommend a semi-smooth roller and get an extension to avoid slinging paint. Wear sleeves and gloves as the bottom paint is harmful to the skin. It’s not recommended to add thinner to the bottom paint as this will increase its durability and ensure you’re not out there next month performing the same arduous task. The number of coats is entirely up to you, but it’s recommended that you apply about three or four coats of paint simply due to the harsh environment that the bottom of a boat is subject to.
Regularly painting the bottom of your boat can not only increase the appearance of your vessel, but it can give it the added protection from the elements. Protecting the bottom of your boat from the elements is one of the best things you can do to insure the integrity of your boat and increase its life by 5 or so more years. The act of bottom painting may have gotten more technical and difficult, but it is still necessary to maintaining your vessel and getting the most you can out of it.