Your boat is susceptible to some marine life that attaches to its sides and bottoms. The most suitable solution is to paint the bottom of your watercraft with a specific boat bottom paint, which is better known as antifouling paint.

If you find that the bottom of your boat is full of marine growth, it is time to learn how to paint a boat bottom and choose the appropriate type of paint to use on it.

Knowing boat bottom paints

Paint for boat bottoms is a particular type of paint applied to the part of the boat that goes below the waterline. The paint prevents different marine denizens from attaching to the boat's hulls. More popularly known as an antifouling agent, paint for boat bottoms contains biocide and algaecide that prevent marine growth such as barnacles, algae, weeds, slime, and mussels from attaching to the boat bottom.

Things to consider when choosing a boat bottom paint

Choosing the right type of paint for the boat bottom can be a challenge because several products have different properties and applications. You should know what materials your marine vessel is made from and several other things.

Types of antifouling paint

Several types of bottom paints exist, so it is vital to have expert advice on which type to use on your boat. For example, ablative bottom paint slowly wears away through the movement of water current and tides. In addition, the water movement exposes a fresh layer of paint that contains the biocide, preventing marine organisms from attaching and growing on the boat's bottom.

There is copolymer ablative bottom paint that is self-polishing. When you use this type, biocide release continues even if your boat is out of the water. In addition, there is a hybrid copolymer ablative bottom paint. The hybrid paint combines the properties of the ablative and the self-polishing copolymer ablative paint but has an additional property. The paint gives the boat bottom a smoother finish.

On the other hand, hard bottom paint does not peel away layer by layer. Instead, the hard bottom paint continues to leach or release the biocide over time. However, the paint does not wear out. Thus you need to remove it before you can paint the bottom once again.

Type of material

Boats are made from different materials, such as fiberglass, aluminum, wood, or steel. Thus, it is vital to find the appropriate paint suitable for the boat.

The area where you keep the boat

You also have to consider where you keep your marine vessel when not in use. Marine growth is more prolific in areas where the water is still and warm.

Fresh or saltwater

Aside from the material used to build the boat, you should choose the right type of paint according to where you use the boat, either in freshwater or saltwater.

Aside from knowing what type of boat bottom paint to use, you should also learn how to prepare the bottom of the boat before receiving a fresh coat of bottom paint.

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