Painting Bilge

[Big D]

I did mine in Bilgecoat white.

For me, it seems to hold stains and occasional mildew.

Is there anything better?

RWS

Personally I prefer using gel for a fiberglass application. Pricier and perhaps a bit more prep but if done right, you can't beat it IMO.

[RWS]

I did mine in Bilgecoat white.

For me, it seems to hold stains and occasional mildew.

Is there anything better?

RWS

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Personally I prefer using gel for a fiberglass application. Pricier and perhaps a bit more prep but if done right, you can't beat it IMO.

Please elaborate on "gel"

Thanks,

RWS

[Big D]

...Please elaborate on "gel"....

Gelcoat.

[comodave]

I painted mine without pulling the engines. I was very pleased with the results. It is so clean and easy to see a leak now. I used a 4" roller and a brush. I loosened up all the wiring and fuel lines and covered them with aluminum foil for masking. There is one small spot about an inch square under the starboard engine that I could not reach, but you can only see it when you are upside down looking under the engine so I can live with that. Yes gel coat would be tougher than bilgekote, but much more work. I did have to remove the exhaust crossover to get to the outboard sides of the engine. I do not have the fuel tanks in the engine room either.

[georgepet]

I've been thinking of replacing or remanufacturing engines next winter.....think I can get through this summer ok. However, in my mind when I do so, I'll replace the saddle tanks at the same time and of course clean out and repaint the bilge.

Ran into this as I was researching what exactly and how I'd do it. Have no idea if it is effective, but it seems like a good idea to add as a base coat after cleaning the bilge and leverage the repaint for some degree of sound reduction

http://silentcoating.com/sr_1000.html

cheers

G

[Freddy]

This is a thread with some pictures from when I painted my bilge. I used some sort of simple green type product(Krud Kutter if I'm not mistaken) and a lot of hot water to clean it. Let it dry, wiped it down with mineral spirits and painted with Bluewater marine alkyd 50. Unfortunately, I haven't launched since, but I can tell you that several of my friends have used it in their fiberglass sailboats and are very satisfied.
http://www.trojanboats.net/wforum/viewt ... f=1&t=6123

[gettaway]

Freddy
the link to the old post brought back some interesting memories on this site.... holy crap ! did you get your boat back together and launched?

[rickalan35]

Ran into this as I was researching what exactly and how I'd do it. Have no idea if it is effective, but it seems like a good idea to add as a base coat after cleaning the bilge and leverage the repaint for some degree of sound reduction

http://silentcoating.com/sr_1000.html

George, that Silent Running stuff looks pretty interesting. The four day cure time not to be overlooked. Their advertised noise reduction claim is significant. I would like to lower my generator noise (it would be a daunting job to box it in) and my new air conditioners need to receive some sound deadening attention.

All these bilge cleaning guys on here are eventually going to end up shaming me in to getting after my own bilge. They look so great in those after photos -cleaned and painted. Wow.

[RWS]

Ran into this as I was researching what exactly and how I'd do it. Have no idea if it is effective, but it seems like a good idea to add as a base coat after cleaning the bilge and leverage the repaint for some degree of sound reduction

http://silentcoating.com/sr_1000.html

George, that Silent Running stuff looks pretty interesting.

A wise man once told me................ "If it sounds too good to be true....."

RWS