Heading to boat this weekend - what type of paint can be used?

[mrdeepseafisher]

We are heading to boat this weekend for Memorial Day. I am hoping to perform general maintenance and just "piddle" around the boat while the rest of the family hangs out. I would like to paint the engine rooms and need to know if I should use bilge paint or can a good quality oil based paint be used.

What have you guys and girls used in the past?

And a Happy Memorial Day to All!

 

[mdshore]

pettit ez cabin coat . has a mildewcide,and is waterbased ,tough and no smell .I use it in lockers, engine rooms , heads .apply with little to no prep.

 

[Will]

I've always used and have had good luck with Interlux BilgeCoat gray.
Will

 

[mdshore]

interlux bilgecoat is not actually recommended in bilges!lol I called them they said to use thier epoxy barrier coat.. its not for wet areas..so I use EZcabincoat.

 

[sandspur1966]

I have until recently used Bilgecote but just painted my engines, bilges and ER bulkeads with POR15 products and was very pleased.

I am curious about that Petit mildew-cide paint that mdshore mentioned, that appeals my constant battle with "old boat stink."

Here is the Por15 link if you choose that route:

http://www.por15.com/FLEXCOTE/productinfo/FCGB/

Best wishes,

S

 

[mdshore]

http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wc...tel&ci_src=14110944&ci_sku=93313#.UZ_1rOu7EnI

 

[CDB101]

I used rustoleum oil base enamel. Learned it from this forum. Its held up great for 5 years now.

 

[Ross Macdonald]

I did all of the bilges with Brightside 1 part LP and it has held up really well for the past year. I applied with foam brushes and you have to change to a new brush often. Also mix the paint in the can well. I did not thin it and used it right out of the can. Ross

 

[krush]

I would think an oil based would work great to paint over oily bilges but everything needs to be dry.

 

[fissioneng]

Bilge paint - constant immersion

I used rustoleum oil base enamel. Learned it from this forum. Its held up great for 5 years now.

I used this in one area that doesn't get immersed. I was going to use this in my forward bilge area, but that has water in it all the time due to the AC unit draining there. I looked on the can this morning, and it said "not for use in constant immersion."

Have people used this where the bilge is constantly under water? What do you recommend?

 

[MikeP]

Not directly related to the question but I suggest you install a separate sump system or route the ac condensate to a shower sump to avoid the wet bilge. Our bilges were painted by the PO with bilge coat but if the area stays wet, I agree with Bilgecoat rep - the paint will (did) peel. After I changed the stuffing box packing material to gore dripless, the bilges remain dry (all condensate goes to shower sumps) and the paint choice is not so critical.

 

[fissioneng]

The shower drains into this same area, the forward bilge is the shower sump!

I suppose I could try some inexpensive hard bottom paint.

 

[34Hatt]

Re: Bilge paint - constant immersion

I used this in one area that doesn't get immersed. I was going to use this in my forward bilge area, but that has water in it all the time due to the AC unit draining there. I looked on the can this morning, and it said "not for use in constant immersion."

Have people used this where the bilge is constantly under water? What do you recommend?

No paint will hold up to Immersion except maybe bottom paint but even hard will rub color onto things for a bilge

I used west system with gray pigment been 8 years looks like it was done 7 weeks ago

Or any Good epoxy paint will work but I had west and the pigment.

 

[fissioneng]

As others have noted, I called Pettit and Interlux and they both said to use barrier coats.

The down side is that the old flaking paint has to completely come off, so I'd be into chemical strippers and sanding. I'm not that interested just to pretty up the bilge!

Mike's idea would work, just putting in a sump box in the bilge so all the water goes into that. Then the bilge would stay dry.