Skip,

Simplest . . . if you still have the can . . . read the label. If not
contact the mfg. {the Internet is wonderful . . . sometimes}. Ask about the
SPECIFIC product, not just 'your ablative paints'.

I've been through 2 'options' before using the present 'preparation' . . .
the West Marine 'house brand' ablative {CPP Plus . . a 'Doppleganger' to
Interlux Micron CSC}. To quote - '. . . provides a smooth, self-polishing
finish with no paint build up. The more coats you apply, the longer it
lasts.' And '. . . For CPP & PCA the launch widow is INDEFINITE {my caps}.
Paint in good condition will reactivate upon launch'.

By it's very nature an 'ablative' is NOT a 'leaching' finish - it's a
'self-polishing' which means it wears away {'carrier' and 'biocide'}as it is
'used'. It is not as 'exotic' as the 'Modern Stuff' {unless you count West's
PCA or Interlux's Micron Extra - both have Irgarol for slime 'prevention'}
and doesn't have a high biocide load - with it's 'mechanics' it doesn't need
it.

For ablatives, THREE coats is the recommended initial application - again
from the 'more is better' school. Personally, I use this to my advantage . .
.. and maybe that is why 'they' recommended it . . . without the original
reasoning. The first coat is your 'flag' coat. It is a DIFFERENT color from
the subsequent coats {In my case I use RED and over-coat with BLUE}. I also
give a bit more paint to specific 'wear areas' - chines, keel, cu****er.
When the boat is hauled out, and bottom washed before winter storage, a
quick look is all that is needed to check the paint condition. The 'FLAG
COLOR' will show where the anti-fouling has almost worn away and needs
'refreshing'.

Regards & Good Luck,
Ron Magen
Backyard Boatshop


"Skip Gundlach" wrote
SNIP
2-year refit. It was newly ablative bottom painted when we bought it.

A local asserts that the bottom paint is dead, and it will have to be
redone.

How say you who have experienced this? Not hard, ablative, out of the
water for a couple of years essentially immediately after application?

SNIP