AF advise.

Posted By: Pat 92 Fox
Date: 4/7/09 10:09a.m.

Report: outside forum guidelines

In Response To: I need some bottom paint advice (Matt ('90 S25 Caribbean Soul))

You might want to consider a total repaint job if the AF is not intact and coming off in large portions. When I brought "Mistress" home last year the bottom was chalking, and peeling in spots. I did not know how old the Pettitt AF was, therefore I completely stripped it to bare FG. That is the only way to know for sure whether of not you have any blistering, since the heavy layers of AF can hide this. I chose to go with International VT Tar barrier (3 coats) and VC17 (2 coats). After one season in Lake Michigan it has held up perfectly. It's not that difficult to do this. 1)Power wash off as much loose paint of as you can. 2)Use eco-friendly stripper (can'y recall the brand) sold by West Marine -It is vary safe and effective. 3)Mask off waterline. 4)Lightly sand to get an anchor pattern for the paint -use medium grit. 5)Apply VT Tar. 6) Apply VC17. The most difficult part is blocking in order to get under the bunks. I used 4x4's cut to fit on top of the trailer beams, tied them together athwartships with 3x2's and just dropped the bunks. All this is labor intensive but worth it. It will sand off real easily if it is chalky. Don't worry about painting under the keel.