I have a new-last-year fiberglass boat with a white hull. I keep it in
the water for the boating season, but it spent the winter shrink-wrapped
ashore at a marina.

The marina called today to ask if I wanted them to paint the bottom
black. (As if that were the obvious choice.) Maybe a stupid question:
Does the bottom paint color matter for protection, or is the choice of
color just an appearance thing?

On Thu, 10 May 2007 21:44:24 -0400, "Scott McPhillips [MVP]"
org-dot-mvps-at-scottmcp wrote:

I have a new-last-year fiberglass boat with a white hull. I keep it in
the water for the boating season, but it spent the winter shrink-wrapped
ashore at a marina.

The marina called today to ask if I wanted them to paint the bottom
black. (As if that were the obvious choice.) Maybe a stupid question:
Does the bottom paint color matter for protection, or is the choice of
color just an appearance thing?

Did you have it painted last year?

Depending on where you live, this could be an expensive proposition.
You might want to barrier coat, then paint - or not.

In general, and in my opinion only, it's better to color the paint the
same color as the boat - that's my opinon only.

You have options - you just have to decide if you actually need it
done and how much you want to spend.

"Scott McPhillips [MVP]" org-dot-mvps-at-scottmcp wrote in message
. ..
I have a new-last-year fiberglass boat with a white hull. I keep it in the
water for the boating season, but it spent the winter shrink-wrapped ashore
at a marina.

The marina called today to ask if I wanted them to paint the bottom black.
(As if that were the obvious choice.) Maybe a stupid question: Does the
bottom paint color matter for protection, or is the choice of color just
an appearance thing?



You docked it last year after buying it but did not bottom paint it then?

BTW, as others suggested color does not matter but the type of bottom paint
does.

Get back with us on my original question.

JimH wrote:
You docked it last year after buying it but did not bottom paint it then?

Yes. Know nothing about bottom painting.


BTW, as others suggested color does not matter but the type of bottom paint
does.

Thanks for the info to all. I talked to the marina and I guess black is
what they're doing this week. Anything else takes longer and has to be
ordered.

On May 11, 7:25�am, "Scott McPhillips [MVP]" org-dot-mvps-at-
scottmcp wrote:
JimH wrote:
You docked it last year after buying it but did not bottom paint it then?

Yes. *Know nothing about bottom painting.



BTW, as others suggested color does not matter but the type of bottom paint
does.

Thanks for the info to all. *I talked to the marina and I guess black is
what they're doing this week. Anything else takes longer and has to be
ordered.

Don't get too distracted by references to "chemical formula" in this
thread.
Nearly all bottom paint is high in copper content. Some will have
additional poisons mixed in, but the primary active ingredient is
nearly always copper (aka cuprous oxide). It would be very surprising
to find many boatyards recommending anything else as their standard
paint.

A far more significant distinction than chemical formula will be a
choice between ablative paints that slough off during use and paints
that offer a relaltively "hard" surface. There are advantages to both,
depending upon how you use or store your boat, and you will generally
find folks who are enthusiastic about each type for a variety of
different reasons.

On May 10, 6:44�pm, "Scott McPhillips [MVP]" org-dot-mvps-at-
scottmcp wrote:
I have a new-last-year fiberglass boat with a white hull. *I keep it in
the water for the boating season, but it spent the winter shrink-wrapped
ashore at a marina.

The marina called today to ask if I wanted them to paint the bottom
black. *(As if that were the obvious choice.) *Maybe a stupid question:
Does the bottom paint color matter for protection, or is the choice of
color just an appearance thing?

Color doesn't matter.

But there's a neat trick you can do with bottom paint and you might
want to start with a lighter color than black. Put on a couple of
coats, using different colors. You'll be able to tell when the top
coat is fairly well abladed away when the color below begins showing
through.

As long as you clean your bottom paint, sand it lightly, and check to
see that adhesion remains good you can normally add additional layers
of the same type of paint without having to strip down to bare glass
every year. You will eventually have to strip, but the contrasting
undercoat will help alert you to the areas that need special touch up
attention before the bare glass shows through.