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Holiday 2018
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boatingonthehudson.com
When I removed the trailer I discovered osmotic
blistering on the hull in the pattern of every carpeted
bunk on the trailer.
Some of the blisters are broke open and water is now
seeping into the laminate causing the beginning of rapid
deterioration. They need to be repaired properly and asap.
Soda blasting uncov-
ered hidden blisters
under bottom paint
acts like a wall, blockade and impediment
to water. Epoxy barrier coats are the best
impermeable to water coating for helping
absorption unlike polyesters which will
absorb water. The gelcoat on your boat is
made of polyester. Epoxy barrier should be
used as a primer for bottom paint. Barrier
coat is more important than bottom paint
and can be purchased for less than bottom
paint depending on the manufacturer and
type of bottom paint chosen. If you plan
to apply barrier coat make sure the hull is
prepped properly. You will need to tape off
at the water line using good quality fine line
tape. Sand the entire hull below the tape
with 80 grit sand paper. This will assure
good paint adhesion. You do not want to
see any shiny areas on the hull. If you apply
paint to shiny areas it will eventually flake
and peel. Next wipe down the sanded area
with a wipe down solvent wash and dewaxer.
Apply the Epoxy Barrier paint following all
the manufacturers’ instructions carefully.
After application of the barrier, apply the
proper bottom paint. Each water type