Painting the Bottom; Acetone Question

[Telefonica]

I'm getting ready to paint the bottom. I've got her completely washed, sanded and ready to go.

I washed the gelocoat above the waterline with acetone and quickly rinsed it with water. I think some of the acetone washed down onto the bottom paint, because now some of my bottom paint runs very easily when wet. Is it safe to apply a new layer of bottom paint over this runny paint, or do I need to do something to prep it again?

Thanks.

 

[spdracr39]

Re: Painting the Bottom; Acetone Question

I think I would have to remove the damaged paint and start over. You don't want to paint over a questionable base.

 

[Chris1956]

Re: Painting the Bottom; Acetone Question

Gee, Let the acetone dry. It should take a couple of minutes and then paint it. The water actually made the situation worse. You might wipe the bottom paint down with some paint thinner to get any residue.

 

[Thalasso]

Re: Painting the Bottom; Acetone Question

As Chris1956 said. Let it dry and repaint. Acetone is used just like you would use rubbing alcohol for prepping surfaces. It isn't going to hurt a thing.

 

[Bamaman1]

Re: Painting the Bottom; Acetone Question

Good lesson to learn. Acetone is not to be used anywhere around any fiberglass boat as it just eats paint. Paint thinner is what you use to clean with.

 

[Chris1956]

Re: Painting the Bottom; Acetone Question

Actually Acetone is one of the usual ingredents in paint stripper. However, it does not harm gelcoat or most hard, dry paints, especially of it is in contact with them for a short time (wiped over surface). Bottom paint is usually soft. You will get it to rub off with your bare hand

 

[Telefonica]

Re: Painting the Bottom; Acetone Question

Hmmm.... a lot of different opinions.

Here's what was happening. I could wet a rag, run the rag over the bottom of the hull, and the rag would be tinged red (the color of my bottom). And by tinged, I mean it had quite a bit of paint on it.

I'm debating whether or not this paint needs to be completely taken off or if it's healthy enough to apply another coat over the top.

 

[dingbat]

Re: Painting the Bottom; Acetone Question

Bottom paint is designed to slough off the surface. That is how it regenerate its "toxic" surface. The old wears off exposing new.

 

[Chris1956]

Re: Painting the Bottom; Acetone Question

Some antifouling paints are designed to wear away slowly, exposing fresh biocide. These are know as ablative. Most antifouling paints (ablative and non-ablative) are soft. It is the nature of the biocide used in the paint.

So Telefonica's paint may be fine to paint over. As long as no chunks of paint are falling off, it is likely OK to paint over, provided you use a standard (not hard) antifouling paint. I would recommend the ablative type...

 

[Thalasso]

Re: Painting the Bottom; Acetone Question

In repainting your bottom just scrape all loose stuff off and repaint. No need for anything else. Just for the sake of it, Acetone will not harm your gelcoat.(if used sparingly)

 

[kungpaoshizi]

Re: Painting the Bottom; Acetone Question

Sand sand sand, fill cracks/gouges with marine tex (or other epoxy), sand sand sand, wipe down with acetone and let dry for 20 minutes. Wipe down with acetone and let dry for 20 minutes. Wipe down with acetone, let dry for 20 minutes. Let it sit for an additional 20 minutes. Base primer, base primer, base primer. Top coat, top coat, top coat. Gel coat, gel coat.