Bottom paint over Gelcoat!

[gman 82 aquasport]

Does anyone have any recommendations a good paint to use( sprayed or Roll and tip) for the bottom of a hull. Looking for white paint. Not Albative paint. Boat does not sit in the water. Trailer Queen I have to do a few small chip repairs on the bottom and will be using epoxy.
Boat hull is being soda blasted next Thursday to remove multiple coats of bottom paint. Figuring 2 coats primer then paint?
Looking for something that will get at least 2-3 coats and be hard when dry..Bunk trailer so it will have to hold up to loading and unloading.
Any info would be appreciated.

[jdupree]

I want to say RickK did the same thing to his Explorer when he first got it.  He used a white paint that turned out really well.  I am sure he will chime in when he sees this.  Good luck with that

[RickK]

He mentioned not wanting ablative paint. 
My boat had "hard" bottom antifouling paint which I had sand blasted off and then recoated with ablative paint from the Petit Vivid line.  Many color options but it is still antifouling bottom paint.
Here is a bigger picture so you can see the finished product

[jdupree]

I couldn't remember what kind of paint you used Rick.  I was just trying to help out g-man.

[Jack Hart]

Awlgrip 545 epoxy primer followed by the Awlgrip paint of your color choice will work well on the bottom of a trailer boat.  If the bottom is in good condition, 2 coats of primer should do.  If it's rough, use two more coats.  Both the 545 primer and the Awlgrip paint are easy to roll on, but you should have the proper safety equipment and the paint and primer are expensive.  A less expensive and less toxic choice would be Interlux Brightside and primer.  This combo is more user friendly, rolls on nicely, but is not quite as tough as Awlgrip.  NEITHER of these paints are suitable for a boat kept in the water.

[RickK]

I couldn't remember what kind of paint you used Rick.  I was just trying to help out g-man.

Oh, I realize that JD, I didn't reply to him initially because of his guidelines - no harm, no foul. 

[gman 82 aquasport]

Basically the situation is this, after the hull is blasted, I fully expect to find 4-5 places about the size of a quarter or a little bigger that will need some attention. I know I will have to seal the glass somehow, thinking thinned epoxy, let dry good and then paint. Want paint that will last more than 1-2 seasons before having to redo the bottom. Don't have an aversion to bottom paint totally, just want the bottom to be smoother and be brighter white than what it is now. The white on it now is more light cream color. Thanks for the input so far..

[RickK]

I was talking to Mike at Pro Marine and he told me of an epoxy barrier coat that when sprayed on can be buffed out to a good shine and hey, it's epoxy, so that is maybe what you're looking for?  Do a member search on Pro Marine and give him a call.

[gman 82 aquasport]

Thanks Rick, I'll get up him first of the week..

[RickK]

I may go the same route instead of gelcoat on my 170.  He did say something about it going on about 10mils thick only. Tell him hi from CAS.

[RickK]

Here is another option I was thinking about http://www.gatorglide.com/Home_Page.php
The colors aren't great but it's some tough stuff that increases speed and lowers friction.  Maybe if you beach your boat with this stuff on, you need to be careful 

[Aswaff400]

Here is another option I was thinking about http://www.gatorglide.com/Home_Page.php
The colors aren't great but it's some tough stuff that increases speed and lowers friction.  Maybe if you beach your boat with this stuff on, you need to be careful 

that looks like some interesting paint rick, im undecided on which paint i want to use for the bottom on my flat back. leaning towards Vivid

[gman 82 aquasport]

The gatorgilde apparently doesn't come in white

[RickK]

The gatorgilde apparently doesn't come in white

Nope - only camouflage 8)

[gman 82 aquasport]

I touched base with Matt at Pro Marine Supplies, traded an email or two, then today gave him a call about bottom paint. After some discussion about my specific needs for the paint, he suggested Petit Vivid bottom coat, it's an epoxy type bottom paint that does have some ablative properties and should hold up well for my uses of the boat. We discussed all the ups and downs of different paints and coatings including gelcoat and came up with this as the better option for my needs . Those needs were:
1. It's white
2. It should last a few years
3. It shouldn't turn color as some paints will after being in the water a while.
4. Should hold up to the trailering well.
He had some good points and a bunch of good knowledge of the different coatings being used out there. 
So I ordered 1 gallon of white paint and 2 prime kits, both from Petit and they will be shipping them to NC.
I will report on my rebuild page and probably start one here as I get the process going as the weather warms up. I will post pics and will be posting some of the soda blasting process and results soon.