Rubberizing boat floor (Fiberglass)

[Hofty]

Folks,

I am wanting to rubberize the boat floor but ensure there is proper adhesion and no bubbling or flaking of the rubberized compound. The floor is fiberglass, beneath it is marine plywood. There is foam beneath the plywood so might be subject to having a bit of water seep through the plywood hence my worry about bubbling.

I have sourced some rubberized floor paint to roll on but wondering if a primer is needed?

-Liquid-Rubber-Polyurethane-Deck-Sealant
- Would a primer such as "Bulls Eye 1-2-3 Water-Based primer" be suitable for the substrate to the rubberized paint?

See pictures attached for reference.

* Note I have degreased and pressure washed the floor. There is nominal oil or residues so adhesion IMO should not be an issue. I had to strip off all the old glues from the carpet which was in there prior.

 

[zool]

LR makes a primer for their coating, pricey tho per gallon, but so is the topcoat.

https://www.amazon.com/Liquid-Rubbe...fbc-a4c2-a9a9b9371e3f&pd_rd_i=B07NXWTNH2&th=1

 

[Hofty]

I see that they have a decent base primer coat. I am wondering if there is some sort of equivalent or if anyone has had experience with the Bulls Eye 1-2-3 Water-Based primer. I sprayed on some from a left over can. Letting it sit now and will let it stand for a few days BUT the test is not in a few days its in 3-4 seasons. That is what my expectation is to get out of the boat.

 

[Scott Danforth]

short of Line-X XS650, I would not use Bullseye or zinzer as they wont hold up, and I dont think your rubberized paint will hold up either

 

[JASinIL2006]

I would not use it. I used Durabak on my deck (over new fiberglass) and I regret it. The rubberized coatings are not that durable in areas that get a lot of traffic or are exposed to rubbing (e.g., around ski locker or hatches, near seating). Even with good prep, they are prone to peeling in some areas. I was fastidious in prepping my deck and the rubberized coating is showing quite a few spots of wear-through or peeling. Even worse, the stuff is miserable to remove when it (inevitably) starts to fail. You can't grind it off like you could with gel coat. It doesn't peel off easily. I regret ever using the miserable stuff.

I'd think long and hard before going down that path.

 

[Hofty]

I appreciate the feedback. The hard part is that the boat is used maybe 5-6 times each summer. It is mostly for fishing and the occasional weekend boat camping excursion. I understand that with the water being capable of wetting the plywood on the floor it would be prone to peeling. The main thing I am seeking is a decent primer for adhesion for the rubberized flooring. She is an old boat and I'm not too concerned if there is high traffic wear as the idea is to waterproof the floor to the greater part.

 

[Scott Danforth]

to water proof, you cant beat rolling on gel, then tossing non-skid in the last coat

the issue with the rubberized coating is it doesnt waterproof and it comes off

 

[todhunter]

to water proof, you cant beat rolling on gel, then tossing non-skid in the last coat

Couldn't agree more. I think a lot of folks who have not worked on boats before (including me before my project) are afraid of gelcoat - it sound exotic and conjures up images of being difficult to apply. However after using it in a roll-on method, I found that it's almost no different than rolling on paint...or rubberized coating.

 

[Hofty]

I will be applying gelcoat to the bottom of the boat where there is some major scuffs from beaching the boat. To me the best option is to apply a epoxy primer to the floor over the fibreglass sheeting that covers the plywood. Trying to figure out which brand to use that is cost effective

 

[zool]

If ur hell bent on using the rubber, hard to beat a quality 2 part epoxy primer/barrier like this kit for $55/qt kit

https://www.jamestowndistributors.c...AzpOQd220IMfENPpXiouiP22I7QzA6aUaAkhPEALw_wcB

"InterProtect 2000E has a natural structure within the epoxy coating to create a barrier against water permeation called Micro-Plates. Technically, the InterProtect 2000E Micro-Plates formula provides millions of overlapping microscopic plates. When bound in the epoxy coating, they create a barrier similar to shingles on a roof. The Micro-Plates eliminate any direct path for water migration. InterProtect 2000E is one of the key components in the Ultimate No Sand System, preferred by first class North American boat builders."

 

[JASinIL2006]

I would also consider contacting the customer service number of the folks that make whatever rubber coating you choose. They might be able to recommend something to use as a waterproofing primer. I'd be curious if they recommend epoxy. Epoxy stick to everything, but not everything sticks to epoxy.

 

[Hofty]

Just realised too that the subfloor is foam and I just cut a piece out and its waterlogged. Might be time to pull up the floor or figure out how to remove the foam. It is definitely not closed cell. I will take boat to the lake here shortly and give it a trial run to see how it goes and how it sits in the water. Removing the floor will likely reveal rotted stringers too.

 

[jbcurt00]

Welcome to the Pandora's box that is boat rehab..... be carefully, that abyss is definitely staring back at you....

 

[Scott Danforth]

Just realised too that the subfloor is foam and I just cut a piece out and its waterlogged. Might be time to pull up the floor or figure out how to remove the foam. It is definitely not closed cell. I will take boat to the lake here shortly and give it a trial run to see how it goes and how it sits in the water. Removing the floor will likely reveal rotted stringers too.

and your transom and bulkheads

Just an FYI, the floor is always the last thing to rot

 

[JASinIL2006]

Sorry to hear that, @Hofty. That is really disappointing news.

 

[Hofty]

So folks. A nice oil based primer on the floor (Yes I know Epoxy is best, but used what I had and boat is not expected to last more than 2-3 more seasons). Then applied a nice rubberized coating. The results looks decent.

 

[kcassells]

So folks. A nice oil based primer on the floor (Yes I know Epoxy is best, but used what I had and boat is not expected to last more than 2-3 more seasons). Then applied a nice rubberized coating. The results looks decent.

Ok so I just read the thread. Good luck.

 

[Hofty]

Looks good doesn't it. It has currently rained for 2-3 weeks here solid and no issues yet. But I guess heat, sunshine and use will determine the wear for the primer coat to lift if it does . Think I used home oil based primer for the floor so hopefully prevents bubbling and peeling etc.