Primer Suggestions?

[Flitch]

Hey Guys,
While Joe sails around taking pics of himself and the rest of you worry about how long you are, I have been busy steaming in new frames, repairing planks, refastening and fairing my hull... I have a couple of gallons of Interlux XXX Bottomcote ready to go but was just reading the label and it says the boat should be immersed within five days of application... Hmmmmm... I thought as I complete sections of the hull I could paint it for protection from the summer heat... realistically, it could be a year or more (probably more) before I get to set back in my captains chair and take pics of myself floating around the bay. Is there a primer out there that will protect the ol girl as I work on other projects and also work well with my bottom coat?
Flitch

[P.L.Lenihan]

Red lead.

Peter

[Flitch]

Thanks Peter,
I happen to have a gallon. I will paint it on behind me as I move down the hull frame by frame.
Flitch

[P.L.Lenihan]

The pleasure is mine,glad to be of service. Continued success with her refurbishing,especially since you have wisely abandoned the notion of adding a great cabin aft

Peter

[Flitch]

I started painting red lead paint below the waterline tonight... working great. Then it occurred to me to ask if I should use red lead on the planking above the waterline too? I will be using an oil based paint... Should be fine eh? Just checking.
Flitch
Thanks in advance.

[P.L.Lenihan]

You could use red lead everywhere,above and bellow the waterline without problems...unless you intend to varnish it later on

Peter

[oakman]

Just as a note, usually red lead is thinned for use by almost half depending on how thick it comes. You can use thinner. To make the lead go further I cut mine with a healthy dose of linseed oil and thinner. Probably 60/40 oil to thinner and then use that solution to cut my red lead. And I only mix down what I need at the moment.

Do not use red above the waterline if you are going with a light color on the hull. Red sucks to cover, the pigment is too strong.

Oak

[Flitch]

Thanks for this. I will be putting your advice to good use this weekend.

This begs another question... Although I do have a couple gallons of Interlux bottomkote XXX Antifouling paint, some guys just go with red lead as a bottom paint don't they? I will use the AF paint as there are no facilities to haul my boat once she goes back in the water and it may be years before I get a crane again.

Flitch