paint blistering under water line?
 

having a prob. with yellow paint blistering under water line in fresh water left in about 3wks at a time on 02 31 sonic, anyothers have a problem and what did u do to correct it?

I have the same problem with my 02.

are you looking into fixing it? if so let me know how you solved it.

same problem on our '03

wow really!!! did you find a fix yet? if so let me know

I'm not a paint and fiberglass guy...but if you don't have bottom paint (sealer) from the water-line down and you leave your boat in the water (fresh or not) for 3 weeks at a time. I think those blisters may be your fiberglass/gel coat swelling from water/microbes invasion into your hull. I hope not because it takes a lot of work to fix. I'd take it to a marine fiberglass guy to have it inspected if I were you.

i would be calling sonic for sure:eek::eek::eek:

That is 100% correct and its called OSMOSIS the resin in the laminates are not cured 100% and build up gas which is now trying to get out if in water for so long, its a manufacture error that needs to be adressed , should not happen.
I had an older 30SS 1988 and it had no problems , left in water for month...it got dirty and was a PIA to get clean, but no gas bubbles !!!!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osmosis

I did when it first happened in 06 and spoke to the new owner, he said he would'nt help me because the boat was built when jay ross owned the company and felt he should'nt be responsible!!

YES,

This has been gone over before here. Bottom line is, it is automotive paint, and shouldnt be left in the water for extended pariods.

but why are my freinds with bajas formulas etc. never having a problem? i even had 2 cheap wellcraft boats that never had a problem that's what bugs me!!! i love my 31 sonic and would'nt trade it for anything but this really bothers me!!!!

It's a problem with the prep, or lack thereof Tony. There is likely no epoxy sealer/primer underneath of the paint (or a sub-par product), and the moisture is getting between the paint and the gel.

I'm not sure who painted that boat, but it does go to show that just making it "look pretty" does not make one a fantastic painter.

If you want to bring it to Florida for the winter, we'll store it and fix it at the AT Factory. I'll get Pat to do it as reasonable as possible.

brian i appreciate you looking into this for me and others . this paint job was done at the sonic factory. if you could e-mail me detailed instructions on what products to use etc. i have a very capable shop up the road from me that can do it he actually is a very good freind and does incredable work and only uses ppg products. or I could have my painter talk directly to your painter and he could explain it better since this is what they are experienced in. thanks again so much for your time!!!

Baja is Gelkote(at least the older ones were, not sure about the newer ones), Formula uses Imron. What you have on the Sonic is most Likely a PPG Basecoat/Clearcoat automotive paint. Nothing wrong with that, just can't leave it in the water for 3 weeks.

so why use a automotive product that's not going to stand up to marine use on an expensive high quality boat?

Don't know, I didnt work there, but they are not the only expensive boat to do this, most people with performance boats do not leave them in the water for very long, or have lifts?? There are old threads on this.

so if you buy an expensive boat , expect to also purchase a lift or don't expect it to last !!! that's crazy!!!

I don't know of any boat manufacturer, expensive or otherwise, that puts bottom paint on their boat at the factory. I think it's more the owner's responsiibility to have a marine bottom paint appied to your hull if you're going to leave it in the water for extended periods. IMO, your dealer should have asked and advised you about bottom paint.

were not talking bottom paint!! were talking paint on the sides of the boat graphix paint that is under the water. I have no blisters on the hull bottom.

Bottom line is that unless there is bottom paint to the waterline (which you don't want to do on a "go fast" boat) you shouldn't leave it in the water for 2 and 3 week periods. I have seen Baja's gelcoat blister after sitting in the water for 2 weeks.

Hey man...I was just going by your description in your 1st post!:coolcowboy:

If this is true than why did i never have a problem with my 1998 26 sonic with paint under the water line ? same water and pulled to clean bottom every 2-3wks? had the boat for 5yrs.

Good question! I guess some things just change with time. I think I'd have it looked at by a pro paint man before it gets any worse though.

spoke with brian(sydwayz) here on forum an active thunder rep and he has been very helpfull with info he's gotten from pat of active thunder who now does all of sonics paint work. he is going to have their painter discuss the fix with my painter.

Please let us know the fix

Cool,

I forgot Active was doing Sonics paint now.