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 Thinning bottom paint - MEK		  New Topic  Topic Locked
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Voyager
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
5378 Posts
Initially Posted - 04/05/2009 :  23:25:39  Show Profile
I have four 1 quart cans of bottom paint: two are PCA hard paint with Irgarol in blue, and two are CPP ablative in red.

After I put down the 4 barrier coats, I plan to put down the PCA as a signal coat and the CPP over that.

I want to make sure the first coat of the PCA really sticks well to the barrier, and so I want to thin the first coat by say 5-10%.

So reading through I found that MEK (Methyl Ethyl Ketone) is one recommended thinner for bottom paint.

I want to be sure that MEK won't melt the bottom paint or remove the existing surfaces. Anybody had any experience using it?
Bruce Ross
Passage ~ SR-FK ~ C25 #5032

Port Captain — Milford, CT
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glivs
Admiral

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USA
836 Posts
Response Posted - 04/07/2009 :  07:02:29  Show Profile
Bruce, I cannot address your question other than to suggest you contact the manufacturer of your new bottom paint. MEK is a powerful solvent and I think is a catalyst used to set some gelcoat preparations. MEK is readily absorbed through skin and is quite hazardous so be sure to wear nitrile or better gloves.
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Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts
Response Posted - 04/07/2009 :  08:52:20  Show Profile
On the label for each of those paints is the number of the recommended thinner that you can generally pick up wherever the paint is sold. They might be the same, or might not. If you use what's recommended, the paint's compatibility with barrier coats or other paints shouldn't change.

I would seriously reconsider putting any hard paint on. The maker of my boat mistakenly put a hard paint on it against my directions two years ago. Pettit said it would be fine to go ablative over it... I'm now pissed that there's hard paint under there. I strongly recommend ablative for your signal coat so that (1) after multiple seasons it's still effective if exposed, and (2) it can be easily smoothed out with a light sanding where necessary. Ordinary hard paints are the gifts from hell that keep on giving--that's the problem you inherited in the first place.
Edited by - Dave Bristle on 04/07/2009 09:00:40
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Voyager
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
5378 Posts
Response Posted - 04/07/2009 :  10:22:23  Show Profile
I hear you
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Voyager
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
5378 Posts
Response Posted - 04/07/2009 :  22:46:15  Show Profile
Dave --
Just an update, I returned the hard paint and bought a gallon of CPP Plus ablative in blue from my local west marine store. They've got a $30 mail in rebate starting now for the gallons.

I also ran into a guy from Pilot's Point Marina who was waiting around for one of the Housatonic Marina guys, and so we got to talking about the bottom of the hull. His name is Bill, who was dressed in a paper painting outfit.

So, of course I pumped him for every tidbit and piece of advice on paint.

He took a look at the stripped hull and he noticed zillions of small blisters. He told me I ought to do the following
1...Get your sander and 80 grit paper, and sand the whole thing down to roughen the gelcoat.

2...Also get rid of any and all residual paint.

3...Fair the lumpy epoxy repairs in the keel (there were about 12-15 repaired gouges in the keel, but the epoxy was rough and uneven, so he adviced me to fair them

4...Wipe the surface with rags soaked in Acetone. Don't use any detergents or a tack cloth.

5...Apply several layers of Barrier Seal, I have the Interlux two part stuff. He told me to ask the yard boss to shake it on the paint shaker -- he said it works way better that way.

6. I have to make sure I have enough time to
....a....Mix a part of the paint, then paint the first layer
....b....Then mix the rest of the paint, and paint the second layer
....c....Paint over a first coat with the CPP Plus paint
....d....Then finish the painting.


So, I have yet to do steps 5 & 6. The weather is supposed to be dry on Wednesday, but it will be less than 50 degrees. I am hopeful that we'll get up to that very modest springtime temps
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Notice: The advice given on this site is based upon individual or quoted experience, yours may differ.
The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.