Repainting a Blistered Canoe…

[NickBailey]

Hello!

I have a canoe that had a pretty severe blister problem after its first trip. Additionally the paint overall has kind of a pockmarked texture, even above the waterline. It looks like the primer is peeling from the filler on the blisters I’ve removed.

My plan is to scrape the blisters off and any heavily pockmarked areas, sand with 80-100 grit, then prime and paint.

My question is about how much paint I should try and remove. Scraping completely down to filler would take forever. Can I assume that what paint is left after scraping the big chunks and sanding is bonded at this point, so the new layers can be applied to it?

Thanks!

 

[Gil Cramer]

My best guess is that the primer failed. Long ago I had a similar problem, although not as bad. I sanded all the bubbles. allowed to dry .and repainted. I have never, ever used a primer again.

 

[NickBailey]

Just smooth it out and go?

I don’t hate that. I don’t imagine it can do any harm at this point.

 

[Gil Cramer]

Smooth it out and repaint after it dries. Hope for the best!!

 

[NickBailey]

Thanks!

 

[NickBailey]

Here’s a look after 3 coats going up to 180 grit.

I’ll probably do one more at 220 and call it done. I reserve the right to do another at 320 if the 220 ends up looking like I’m still getting returns on my effort.

Thanks again for the advice!

 

[Dave Osborn]

Nick
What kind of primer did you use?

 

[NickBailey]

None. I just sanded it and started painting.

 

[dtdcanoes]

WOW , a problemo for sure. I have never used primer but with all this whole boat trial etc. I think I would consider taking a small section and doing a down- to - filler, then no primer and 3 finish coats ( only if 1 & 2 look really promising ). Then, or at the same time, with another section beside it , adding a primer and 3 finish coats. I WOULD ABSOLUTELY USE ALL FINISHES BY THE SAME supplier, and preferably Epifanes. I see the masking for the under wale. I have always covered this area with paint as I always had to remask after every coat and it was so easy to get a fine line at the wale lower edge with a fast swipe of a turp dampened cloth. I can't argue with the esthetic though if done very cleanly. But each to our own wish as they say. Have fun and keep up the pics.
Dave

 

[Dave Osborn]

I’ve never had issue with painting over primer.
I always have used Pettit EZPrime. Ordinarily I apply 3 coats, sanding in between. It is a high build marine primer and helps to fair the hull prior to marine enamel.
It’s also possible that the filler, if the traditional filler was used, didn’t fully cure and was off gassing, causing adhesion issues.