Rustoleum Bottom Paint?

[Seafire327]

Hello All,

I did a search but didn't find any info...

I was poking around Lowes the other day and happened to notice a display with quarts of Rustoleum brand anti-fouling bottom paint. Never knew they made it.

Does anyone have any experience with it?

Thanks

[ehmanta]

I have used their top-side polyurethane paint on my small boats and feel that they are equal to Interlux one-part topside paints. Time will tell how they fair with fading, but the initial feeling is that they are very similar. I can't say about the bottom paint issue, but I would guess that a well known company like Rustoleum would produce somtething decent. The cost is certainly much less

[zz4gta]

What kind of paint was it? Ablative, hard?

[Seafire327]

Originally Posted by zz4gta

What kind of paint was it? Ablative, hard?

Not sure. Took a look at the website which said it was copper based for low to moderate fouling conditions. If I had to guess, I'd say hard.

The price seems fairly economical, but its only sold by the quart. Kind of strange...

[SVDistantStar]

I use it all the time on my small boats. Works pretty well here in the waters of Charleston. When i used to leave my skiff in the water all the time i would have to pull it once a month or so to give the bottom a quick powerwash. Its a hard paint.

As for their topside paint, its not too bad, again i use it on my small boats. My skiff is going on over a year of being painted with it and its fine.

[L02314564]

Their website says it is a Hard paint for use in fresh and saltwater. Thanks for the tip.

THis is from the Rustoleum site:

Boat Bottom Antifouling Paint

Protective coating for use below the waterline.
Hard antifouling coating that slowly releases copper, preventing the build-up of barnacles, algae and other marine growth. Hard antifoulings are best for powerboats, racing sailboats, or boats that are regularly hauled and cleaned. The biocide will oxidize when hauled and stored for the season, but can be sanded to regain antifouling protection.
For mild to moderate fouling conditions in both fresh and saltwater
Formulated for use on both trailered boats and boats that remain in the water all season or all year long
45% cuprous oxide (copper)
Not for use on aluminum surfaces as the copper in the coating will react with the aluminum
Newly painted boats should be launched within 60 days of painting for best antifouling performance. If not launched within 60 days, the surface must be scuff-sanded.
Priming

Bare Fiberglass - priming is not necessary
Bare Wood - apply a base coat of Rust-Oleum Boat Bottom Antifouling thinned with 10% mineral spirits, and use full-strength antifouling paint for subsequent coats.
Previously painted surfaces – can be applied directly over most aged hard antifouling coatings.
Bare Metal (excluding aluminum) - apply a base coat of an epoxy primer

Boat Type Paint Needed*
14' Rowboat 1 qt.
14' Outboard 1 qt.
18' Runabout 3 qts.
20' Sailboat 3 qts.
24' Runabout 3 qts.
24' Utility 3 qts.
25' Cruiser 3 qts.

* Based upon 2 coats applied over existing finish. Bare wood will require approximately twice as much paint. Unpainted fiberglass and metal will require about 1 1/2 times as much. Coverage will vary with condition of surface and method of application.

[Seafire327]

Thanks for the input thus far guys, I'll be looking into it some more as I'm working from topsides to keel, and have only just begun

[RickQuann]

Thanks for the heads up SF, nice to know info

[Yodagwb]

For some reason I am not so sure that the manufacture of Bluewater Marine paints, including bottom paint, doesn't also manufacture Rustoleum.