Imron Paint Blisters


C

castines

Administrator
Hi everyone. Figured I would start a new board for discussion. Why?

I removed the shrink wrap from my boat today. Found blisters in my Sliver Imron paint and boot stripe. Very small blisters that cover an area about 18 to 20 inches long and about 8 inches high. they are few then as you move to the center of the 18 inches there are many then thin out again.

Marina belives they were caused by the company they contract to Shrik Wrap the boats in the yard. Thinks the heat/torch gun got a little to close for too long. its in the area that they folded over the wrap and heated to take up slack. I also know that the wrap was touching the boat and i could see water trapped between the wrap and the hull on both sides after a good rain. but it only happend in this spot. Not to mention that they were rushing when they wrapped it. It was getting dark and starting to rain.

We have already talked about repairing the damage. However I am not going to do it now. Will wait til end of the season so I dont miss out on any boating time. And i am a picky SOB so if it aint done right the first time there will be hell to pay. So any one out there have any expierence with painting imron. Few questions.

1. Does the imron have a clear coat
2. Do you think i have to shoot the whole side of the boat or just fix the area and blend
3. If blended will it be seen after a year or so
4. I picked one of the blisters off. what was left was a darker sliver paint, no white gelcoat. Think it can be sanded or compounded?

I will post some pictures after i cool off :mad:
 

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Found this on a transport site


Here is a special note for sail Boat or sailBoat owners that may have painted their Boats with imron, sterling, or awlgrip, or other urethane paint. Paint is very susceptible to both abrasion and blistering. When shrink wrap is laying on paint with moisture, you WILL get blistering. Also when shrink wrap is laying on paint in transport it chafes much eaisier than gelcoat, it is also much harder to repair
 
Steve,
We repair Imron very often. You can blend it if done right need about 3 feet on each side past the area of the repair. It is a three step process I believe (three layers of paint). Silver is one of the hardest to repair, as it is the most popular color. Good Luck. I can put you in touch with our service department if you would like.
 
Thanks Troy. Still investigating the situtation. I will need paint codes though. will call Formula Monday.
 
Ever consider getting a Fischer Cover? I've been using mine since I got the boat in 99. It's already paid for itself as compared to shrink wrap.
 
Hi FM - What does one of these canvas covers cost? Is the basic idea that the canvas covers breathe so there is less likelihood of the problem that Castines is having? I took a look at the Fischer website, and I made an inquiry, but shrink wrap looks a lot more convenient.
 
I did look at fisher, even got a quote for my 31 PC. was like 3K.

But i hear that they are very heavy!! have seen many where my boat is and they look good.
 
OK they must be super heavy. Still probably relying on the yard to put on and take off, so there is still going to be a yard cost, even though they will not get you for the shrink wrap. I got an email from Fred Fischer at Fischer Canvas. I will speak with them tomorrow and let you know if it sounds interesting. Have you ever asked Formula about it? Do they have a preference?
 
I'm not sure who Formula used for the OEM covers in 1989 but the full size cover I got with our 89',26PC last fall is still water resistant. We did have to patch a few rips,etc. NO idea what the wife used, as she sewed it up on her machine and broke about 5 upholstery needels during the process LOL. I looked at the Fisher covers site and was impressed that the cover rides all the down to the waterline. It's nice to have a proper fitting cover during the winter as I have seen just huge canvas tarps flapping all over the boatyard.

TLR
 
tell me more about these covers, cause i may not understand. what exactly do they do? if they are used to replace shrinkwrap, do they support snow and ice? will they keep the weight off the windshield, arches, hardtop, etc.?
 
Fisher canvas is a customer canvas company. they will come out and measure your boat so the canvas fits perfect. For example my boat with the sat tv and radar on the arch will have to be measured.

they will make the canvas fit down the the chine on the bottom to cover the boat completely. the sat tv and radar will have its own pocket in the canvas. they also run long pockets in the canvas that you can insert 2x4's or PVC pipe to keep it rigid along the top and sides in some cases. they will also pick up your canvas and store it over the summer for you at a price. you still have to dry it out real good before you store it or have it picked up.

www.fishercanvas.com/
 
steve,
are you saying it is capable of holding snow and ice off the boat? will it do the same good job as shrinkwrap? how would high winds affect it?
from what you are saying, is it a custom winter cover made out of sumbrella?
 
I just spoke with Fred Fisher. He told me the price is about $2600 for a 34PC (with a break if I order soon). It would be ready by next winter. It seems to me that the basic advantage is that the boat breathes so there are less mildew issues. Fred told me that the cover is heavy (i.e., a 2 man job to put on and take off), but he can make the canvas cover in two pieces that lace together to make the job more manageable. Straps run under the hull so the canvas cover stays taught. It is a canvas material that is covered with paraffin of some sort (and Fred says it does not need resealing over time). I am going to speak with the boatyard and see what they think. While I think the canvas cover is probably better for the boat, and in the long run it will save money, it is also probably more of a hassle than shrinkwrap (taking into account that you have to store the cover someplace all summer and it requires some degree of maintenance). I will let you know. Maybe we each buy a cover and make a package deal with Fred?
 
Why don't you talk to Formula about there shipping covers? They are made tight enough to travel down the highway. Won't last as long as sumbrella, but has a fuzzy layer up against your boat instead of canvas. Don't know if they make them for a 34 PC yet, but might be worth checking out. We leave our boats covered all winter with them with no problem. Might even ask your dealer I know we throw them away if we get too many.
 
"I know we throw them away if we get too many."

better put a guard on that dumpster, Troy

I think some board members are gonna go dumpster diving soon, LOL

TLR
 
Sorry Steve, I know we have no 34 PC's haven't gotten one since 2006, but have most of the other models what do you want?
 
Sorry, They don't make a boat that small. However I have one for a 240 with a tower. It might work, you have to fold down the tower to put it on. It is also not much bigger than a 206 I can see. I'm getting a 206 spider on brokerage Ill try it for you.
 
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