[Fstbttms]

Originally Posted by sailingdog

A couple of caveats...

1) Pressure washing off the old ablative paint and not treating the water used is probably against the law in most states. If caught doing so, you're in for some nasty fines from the EPA.

This is a good point. However, if done in a boatyard, it would likely not be an issue.

Originally Posted by sailingdog

2) It is generally much wiser to remove an ablative paint before painting with a hard epoxy paint. Most of the paint manufacturers say this as well.

Here is the West Marine Paint Compatibility Chart. It says that ablatives do not need to be removed before applying a modified epoxy:

Bottom Paint Compatibility Chart Old Paint to Remove Modified Expoxies Copolymers & Ablatives Vinyl Paints Sloughing Paint Thin Film Paint Vivid & Tri-Lux 33 Modified Expoxies Sand & Paint Sand & Paint Sand Well Sand Well Remove Sand & Paint Copolymers/Ablatives Sand & Paint Light Sand & Paint Sand Well Remove Remove Sand & Paint Vinyl Paints Remove Remove Sand Well & Paint Remove Remove Remove Sloughing Paint Sand & Paint Sand & Paint Sand Well & Paint Sand & Paint Remove Sand Well & Paint Thin Film Paint Remove Remove Sand & Paint Remove Clean & Paint Remove