Frequently Asked Questions - Blue Water Marine Paint
The Professionals Choice Since 1923.


1. What Is Slime Control and Slime Control Xtra?

Slime Control Xtra (SCX) blocks slime growth for a fouling free boat bottom. SCX will dramatically increase your bottom paint performance, adding both durability and longevity to your hull coatings application.

2. What are Outdrives?

Outdrives are built out of aluminum. This presents compatibility issues with antifouling that contain cuprous-oxide. That is why we developed Kolor. It is safe to use on Aluminum. REMEMBER: Never apply an antifouling paint containing cuprous-oxide to aluminum.

3. What is Fouling?

Fouling is either Barnacles, Zebra mussels, Slime grass and weeds. The 3 main reasons to prevent fouling is to protect the hull of the watercraft, safety and to better speed and efficiency of the craft.

4. Why do the majority of boaters paint with 1-part paint?

Alkyd enamels, and modifications of alkyd enamel technology, have been the work horse products in the marine industry for approximately fifty years. Generally, they dry reasonably fast, are >easy to apply and have very good weathering characteristics. More alkyd enamels are still used than any other enamel type.

5. How does Antifouling paint work?

Antifouling paints work by using biocides (chemicals) that slowly release during the season to repel underwater aquatic life.

6. What does Ablative Antifoulings do?

It wears down like a bar soap at a controlled rate which results in always having fresh biocide at the surface on the paint. There is not build-up of coatings that will eventually have to be removed from the surface.

7. What does Hard Antifoulings do?

Hard Epoxy Resin Technology provides a hard hull. 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. This is a full season coating for boats that are regularly serviced by a diver.

8. What’s the preparation directions for painting Bare Fiberglass Hulls?

Clean hull properly, then wipe with Dewaxer to remove all surface contamination. Sand with 80 grit, wipe sanding with Dewaxer. Apply 3-5 coats of Bottom Protect Primer. Lastly, apply at least 2-3 coats minimum of antifouling paint.

9. What are the preparation directions for painting Bare Aluminum hulls?

You must first degrease and clean the surface with Dewaxer. Then you sand with 36-grit and then wipe with Dewaxer again. Apply at least 2 additional coats. Then apply 2-3 coats of Kolor Bottom Paint.


10. What are the preparation directions for painting Bare Wood hulls?

Sand surface with 80-grit sandpaper. Then remove sanding residue by wiping with a rag dampened with Dewaxer 973. Apply the first coat of antifouling thinned 10% with Blue Water Reducer/Solvent 974. Apply at least two more coats of antifouling (unthinned) allowing the appropriate dry times.

11. What’s the preparation directions for painting Bare Steel Hulls?

You must first bring metal to a uniform bright finish by sandblasting with nonferrous blast media such as clean silica sand or grind using coarse to medium emery cloth. Remove blast or sanding residue with broom and clear air hose. Then you use< Solvent wash with Dewaxer and apply 4-5 coats of Bottom Protect Primer. Then you apply 2-3 coats of antifouling paint.

12. What causes Blistering?

Blistering is caused by the permeability of fiberglass resin and the damage water can do by osmosis. Osmosis blistering, if left alone, will sooner or later destroy the integrity of your boat’s hull. Often times when a fiberglass boat is hauled, you’ll be able to see blisters on the bottom. You also repair the bottom when it blisters by applying Bottom Protect 8000 A/B.

13. What’s the best way to get a good finish with topsides paints?

You must lightly sand the surface and then use a good roller or brush. Thin when needed for proper flow and performance.

14. How do I know how much paint to buy and what is the theoretical coverage of Bottom Paint?

The quantity you need depends upon the size and type of your boat hull, its condition, and what paint scheme you choose to use. Most paints cover approximately 400 square feet per gallon, 2 coats recommended. In addition, depending on surface conditions, one gallon of bottom paint will usually cover over 400 square feet of surface area when brushed or rolled.

15. Can topside paints be applied to below water surfaces?

Most topside coating systems if constantly immersed or kept wet will tend to blister. Provided the boat is only put into the water for a few days then a topside coating can be used below the waterline.

16. What’s the general application for applying bottom paint to my boat?

For use on boats below the waterline, paint can be brushed or rolled on fiberglass, wood, steel, and previously painted surfaces. Apply at least 2 coats for best performance, as the life of the paint is proportional to the number of coats applied.

17. What solvent do I use for cleanup?

Use 974 Reducer for cleaning equipment and paint brushes. You can also use Xylene, which is a product you can buy at your local hardware store.

18. What are the estimated drying times of Blue Water bottom paints?

Bottom paints are designed for overcoating after an overnight dry. Prior to launching, allow a minimum time to dry overnight. If drying conditions are poor, or if paint was applied too thickly, longer periods of drying will be required. Fresh coats of paint must be thoroughly dry before over coating.

19. How do I apply paint by brush?

Use the largest brush possible. Long flexible bristles are best for gloss paints. When applying by brush a good technique is the "Criss-Cross" method. Paint is applied to the surface with a diagonal brushing action from the left and right. This is then spread further with horizontal strokes before finally "laying off" with light vertical strokes. This results in any brush marks being able to flow out to give the best possible finish.

20. How do I apply paint with a roller and brush?

The roller is used to apply paint to the surface and the pad or brush is used to create a smooth surface by "tipping off." This works particularly well when two painter's work side by side.

21. How do you paint non-skid decks?

Mix anyone of the Mega Finishes: Perfection or Brightside Polyurethane finishes can be transformed into a non-skid deck. Once the Non-skid has been added to paint general application directions are followed, except there is no need to sand between coats.


22. What is needed for yearly repainting of my bottom paint?

Scrub bottom clean at haul-out. Repaint only if old paint is sound and tight; if not, remove it by sanding or with paint remover. If old paint is rough, sand it with 100-150 grit sandpaper. Spot coat any scuffs with antifouling. Apply 2 coats of antifouling.

23. What are the preparation directions for painting bare aluminum hulls?



24. Can I change the color of paint in the can?

The only way we recommend changing the color of our paints is to mix like paints, ie. Mixing Mega Gloss with Mega Gloss. We do not recommend addition of "universal" tints or pigments into our products.

25. What mixing or thinning is needed for bottom paint?

Shake or mix thoroughly and stir continuously while using. Thin when necessary with 974 Reducer.

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