Soda Blasting

[HappyKamper]

I have bought a new boat to me. A 2004 Formula 40pc. The bottom paint is pealing in about 5% of the bootom.
There does seam to be build up of bootom paint? Should I have it soda blasted and apply new paint? At what point
do I strip it? Any benefits other then cosmetic?

 

[Bruce Herrington]

I'm no expert, but if the existing paint is an ablative and I'm applying new ablative paint, I would just lightly sand off the flaking paint, scuff up the rest and paint over it.

I don't think it's ever a good idea to remove the barrier coat/sand down to bare fiberglass, unless you're doing blister repair.

 

[WALSHIE]

If your paint is peeling about 5%, you can sand it and try again. If it persists, you might want to media blast the whole bottom and start with a new barrier coat.

I did this two years ago mainly because my bottom had about 1/16" build up and it was rough. I hired a mobile media blaster and did the paint myself.

I think you should try the repair process first and see if the issue persists.

 

[HappyKamper]

After 17 years of paint, if I stripped it do you feel there would any increase in efficency when running?

 

[Bruce Herrington]

Yes

 

[WALSHIE]

After 17 years of paint, if I stripped it do you feel there would any increase in efficency when running?

That was one of my motivators. I'm not sure how much it helped but it certainly can't hurt. I figure the rough edges cause drag and the weight of bottom paint is significant!