Soda Blasting

michael · Post by **michael** » Sat Nov 11, 2006 12:21 am

Has anyone ever had their bottom paint taken off by soda blasting.If so what did you use to seal the bottom if anything and what type of bottom paint. Thanks

Post by **dougl33** » Sat Nov 11, 2006 4:09 am

Michael, Back in 2003, I stripped my bottom using peel-away. When I was done, it looked like the boat had just popped out of the mold. There wasn't a blister to be found. Given that my boay is an 86 and hadn't developed any blisters in the first 17 years, I figured it never would so I didn't bother barrier coating. I lightyly sanded it with 80 grit and gave it 3 coats of interlux's micron csc (one red coat with 2 coats of blue on top). I'm not saying that peel-away is the way to go, but for me it was the best at the time as I was layed off and the boat was stored insdide a shed. Because peel-away is very temperature sensative, it tokk me about a month to get it completely stripped and prepped for paint. As far as the barrier coat is concerned if after stripping your bottom you see that is developed blisters and that it needs a barrier coat, it seems that most people use interlux's barrier coat process. I do know that the barrier coating process is very temperature and time sensative as well. Depending on where you are that may not be big concern, but in the North East it was for me. That being said, I wouldn't say its a forgone conclusion that you should barrier coat it. When I was stripping mine, I had a few of the 31 guys that were storing in the same facility tell me I was crazy not to barrier coat after I had gone through the trouble of strippibg the bottom. However, I spoke with a few surveyors who agreed with my thinking. Regards, Doug L. 1986 33 Bertram FBC Queen Elizabeth Marblehead, MA [img]http://www.bertram33.com/photogallery/p ... sabeth.jpg[/img]

GMarty · Post by **GMarty** » Tue Nov 14, 2006 7:53 am

I have not soda blasted but several guys did it down in RI where my boat spent last winter and it was quick and came out perfect. I am doing it this year. I think I will barrier coat for the simple reason that I cant see stripping and not getting it done at the same time. Although my yard agrees with Doug and said it is a waste if not needed.

smanni · Post by **smanni** » Tue Nov 14, 2006 10:29 am

I am trying to have my bottom soda blasted this year - but One of the guys in NJ went out of business already (at least thats the rumour). I was told that it is the way to go. As for as barrier coat - I figure I am only going to strip the bottom once ever - so I might as well do it then - you wont get a second chance at it. I have been told it was a waste - and also that I absolutely should. I am on the fence, but probably will!

BECCA ROSE · Post by **BECCA ROSE** » Tue Nov 14, 2006 12:15 pm

If your bottom looks perfect after stripping, it seems a waste of money to barrier coat. These boats don't need it, Dougs boat proves it after almost 20 years of service. Plus the fact these boats are sitting on the hard 6 months a year. Bill 1988 33 FBC Ipswich, Ma. > ~------- [img]http://www.bertram33.com/photogallery/p ... a_Rose.jpg[/img]

michael · Post by **michael** » Tue Nov 14, 2006 11:39 pm

I have a price of $2100 to do the job.I do not no if this fair or not but I met the man who was doing another boat in the marina.He was very meticulis and the boat looked great.I will put the barrier coat on because like everyone say it can't hurt plus I will never strip the bottom again.I amgoing to try to have it done in the next couple of weeks so I miss the spring rush if there is one.Does anyone think leaving the bottom exposed until march is any problem Thanks

franklyprice · Post by **franklyprice** » Wed Nov 15, 2006 1:39 am

Michael, Actually I think leaving the bottom bare for awhile is a good thing. It's important to let the moisture evaporate out of the fiberglass before you barrier coat it. I believe a moisture meter is recommended.

photo finish · Post by **photo finish** » Wed Nov 15, 2006 4:29 am

I agree with Frank. Is the $2100 just for the soda blasting or does it include the barrier coat and bottom paint?

GMarty · Post by **GMarty** » Wed Nov 15, 2006 5:55 am

That's about $64 a foot - that seems way high. I cant recall what the guy I talked to said but I dont remeber it being that high.

michael · Post by **michael** » Wed Nov 15, 2006 6:34 am

2100 is just for the soda blasting which I think is alot but it looks like it is pretty labor intensive.They need to build and remove a tent around the boat to catch all the dust plus about 2 days to remove the paint.The entire job will take 3 days which works out to less than $100 per hour.A man at the marina recomended 3 coats of barrier then 1 coat of micron extra red or blue then 2 coats of micron extra black.He said I should get 2-3 years out of the bottom paint then when I start seeing red just paint another coat of black.I have a 79sf and have no idea how many layers of paint are on the bottom.By using the micron extra I will not have to worry about anymore paint build up.

photo finish · Post by **photo finish** » Wed Nov 15, 2006 6:53 am

Well worth the price.You will save that in fuel economy in a year or 2

Post by **dougl33** » Wed Nov 15, 2006 7:25 am

Mike, I've been using the Micron CSC Extra since I stripped the botton in 2003. Its worked pretty well. As I use the boat less as the season winds down, there's a little more slime on the bottom than I'd like when I haul for the winter (it comes riht off with the power washer), but there's no build up to worry about. I just scuff around the water line with a scotch brite pad in the spring and put another coat around the water line. Occaisionly I have to "patch" a few spots that have worn all the way through, but I think that is more of a problem with how I prepped the bottom. Although I sanded the whole bottom with 80 grit, I may have missed a few small spots. Again, I'd take a look at what the bottom looks like when they're done stripping it. If there are no blisters after 27 years then chances are you'll never have to worry about it. Think about it. Why waste money on sometihgn that wasn't needed during the first 27 years of the boats life. Just my 2 cents. Regards, Doug L. 1986 33 Bertram FBC Queen Elizabeth Marblehead, MA [img]http://www.bertram33.com/photogallery/p ... sabeth.jpg[/img]

photo finish · Post by **photo finish** » Wed Nov 15, 2006 8:12 am

In Florida a barrier coat is needed because we keep our boats in the water all the time.Maybe because we have our boats in the water all the time is why we get blisters on our bottom.

michael · Post by **michael** » Wed Nov 15, 2006 9:06 am

Doug I should of payed more attention to your piece about using red paint as the base color then the black.It would have saved me some typing.I am scheduled to have the paint removed starting on the 27th of this month.I will then look at the bottom and decide what to do.I am leaning towards the barrier coat just because this will be the only time I will be able to do it.I have not looked into whats involved with putting it on but I believe it will take a full day with a good temperature something that does not happen to much at the end of march.

GMarty · Post by **GMarty** » Wed Nov 15, 2006 11:12 am

Do you think that greenish color bottom paint will look sharp instead of the blue that I currently have. I see that on newer boats and I think it might look sweet against the blue boot