First time painting a clean fiber glass bottom.

[Thajeffski]

Do I sand it? Or do I use the "skip sand" thing from Pettit.

I'd rather not sand it, but I need some one with more experience to give their two cents!

http://www.jamestowndistributors.com/userportal/show_product.do?pid=6753

 

[Bondo]

Re: First time painting a clean fiber glass bottom.

Ayuh,... Never used it,... I'll bump this up for another pass...

 

[RickJ6956]

Re: First time painting a clean fiber glass bottom.

I would follow the paint manufacturer's instructions to the letter.

Interlux BottomKote, for example, requires a prep solvent to remove all wax and other coatings from bare (never painted) fiberglass. Then it's a choice of primer or sanding with 80-grit. If sanded, another wash with a solvent removes the sanding residue.

It's a bear, but if done properly you won't have to do it every year.

 

[Chris1956]

Re: First time painting a clean fiber glass bottom.

I have used that primer, and it works well. I would recommend it over sanding.

Bottom paint may be applied over an unsanded clean hull, however, it is hard to get all the wax off, and the paint usually falls off in chunks.

Sanding a new hull can destroy it waterproofing.