To paint or not to paint? That is the question.

[bermuda2002]

Hello merry troop!

I am currently pondering sprucing up the bilges in my double-diagonal planked mahogany
on oak vessel but find myself at a crossroads. The frames and planking in the bilge area have been
painted in the past (with what I don't know, but its orange!). The old salt I purchased the vessel from
advised that a boat yard did the work some 3 years ago as part of an overhaul but he was undecided
as to whether or not it was a good idea. He feels that the wood should have been allowed to breathe.

So my question: should I touch up the paint where it needs it or leave it to flake off so the wood can breath?
From searching past discussions i was beginning to think that the use of 'red lead', or the like, might be in order.

Just by way of note: fresh water does accumulate in the bilge after heavy rains and there is always a residula amount sloshing around.

[Tom Dugan]

You're in luck, because in all probability, that orange paint is red lead. Modern (ie safer) formulations make it a bright orange color.

So yeah, you might touch it up or extend its reach, but don't worry about it flaking off. I've never seen it do that. Especially if it was done in the last 3 years.

-T

[FParth]

Bermuda,
A few months ago I did a search through the archives on painting the bilge or letting the wood "breathe." I came to the conclusion that this is a religious issue with each side having something reasonable in its argument.

Since I'm close to that stage on my H28, I decided that since there was paint in the bow end of the bilge before (even though badly flaking), I was going to take it down to bare wood, CPES it, and then repaint it.

Except for responding to changes in humidity, wood doesn't "breathe." I figure that since the boat will stay in the water once it's launched, the humidity in the bilge will stay pretty constant, especially in the mild climate of southern California, so the wood wouldn't expand/contract much.

Just my conclusions. You may get a completely different opinion from the more knowledgable members of the list.

[Scott Rosen]

Nothing wrong with painting a bilge, but there are a couple of things you need to watch out for.

The biggest problem is the area under the engine, where you get oil drippings soaking into the wood. It's not easy to get paint to stick to those areas. The danger of paint not sticking is that the flakes can clog your bilge pumps, and usually at the worst possible time.

When painting the bilge, make sure you get forced air ventilation for at least 24 hours after you apply the paint, because the solvent fumes settle down low and can ignite very easily.

I have painted all areas of my bilge, except under the engine, with two-part LPU. It's easy to keep clean. You could eat off of my bilge it's so clean. And yes, I'm proud of that. The area under the engine is left bare.

[jimdereynier]

What is your favorite degreaser in a bilge?

I have my Sabb 2H out of the schooner being overhauled. The front seal has been leaking for several years. I have scraped the bilge. Now it is time to do a wash down. The boat is still in the water, Plan to use water soluble "purple" degreaser- forgot the name - my boat yard uses it. comes by the gallon. Plan to spray it from a 60PSI compressor.
Will take any advice.
Jimder40@gmail.com