Flaking Bilge Paint Repair Timeline

[Pilot Traveler]

Hello, I was cleaning the bilge and found a few areas of flaking paint that need attention. I am going to get to it but I was wondering if waiting to fall or even next spring would have an adverse effect? Looking at using a product like
PETTIT EZ BILGE ALKYD ENAMEL PAINT
for the touch up. I appreciate your thoughts. Thank you.

 

[ocgrant]

Sea ray uses gel coal not paint. Yes if water is left too long to those exposed areas it can soap up the moisture and cause more issues. Here is a link to get you a touch up kit, verify your color on their charts.

https://spectrumcolor-com.3dcartstores.com/SEA-RAY-ARCTIC-WHITE-88-02_p_13.html

 

[Fill Ess]

You probably want the Sea Ray bilge grey or oyster from Spectrum. Mine is grey.

The problem for us is -- 2004 is a chameleon year. I need some as well, and unfortunately they list products up to 2003, and then 2005 and beyond. I asked Spectrum about it but they didn't know. If anyone knows what to use for 2004 that would be great. I suppose I could try the 70-03 version.

 

[ttmott]

There is a long history on the gelcoat flaking off on the SR boats starting around 2004 through 2008ish. There are also quite a bit of discussion on the issue on this forum.
What it appears is SR did not correctly prepare the surface of the hull layup for application of the gelcoat. When fiberglass is laid there is paraffin wax included in the mixing of the polyester resin or sprayed atop the final layup. The wax is necessary as the resin will not cure exposed to air so the wax provides that barrier. Vacuum bagging is another means but back then SR apparently did not use the technique. However, after cure the wax must be completely removed and the surface prepared before any coatings including gelcoat. It appears that the manufacturing process was incomplete in the preparation of the surface.

 

[Craig]

Age old SR issue. To my knowledge it's purely cosmetic on fiberglass. I got tired of fixing one spot and the another pops up. Mine just does it in the very bottom of the bilge. You know right where you can't get to it!

 

[Maybe A Dancer]

On a lark a couple of months ago I bought a qt of BILDGECOAT GREY and added some automotive hardener and a dash of FEE (fish eye eliminator)from NAPA to it.

Did a test in a few areas and so far am TOTALLY IMPRESSED with the color match, gloss and wipe-ability

Did the area under and around the hot water tank.

It's so shiny it looks like the tank is leaking

BEST !

RWS
So far it's holding up.