Level 2 Moderate Bottom Prep

Service Description

When a boat sits in the water for an extended season, the hull inevitably accumulates marine growth, slime, and moderate fouling that a simple maintenance wash cannot resolve. If you plan to apply new antifouling paint, you cannot simply paint over this biological layer. Bottom Prep Level 2 is a moderate bottom prep service designed for boats that require thorough cleaning and light sanding to properly prepare the surface for new coatings, without stripping the existing paint entirely. We treat the bottom of your boat as a critical hydrodynamic system. Our technicians begin with a thorough cleaning of the underwater hull surfaces, utilizing marine-safe cleaners and soft scrapers to physically detach moderate fouling and marine growth. Once the surface is neutralized and clear of slime, we transition to medium-grit sanding pads. This step is crucial; we lightly scuff and key the existing surface to promote strong, lasting adhesion for your upcoming antifouling paint application. Honesty is our policy: this is strictly a surface preparation service. It explicitly excludes heavy grinding, full paint removal, blister remediation, or structural hull repairs. We do not strip the old paint down to the bare gelcoat during this process, and this service does not include the actual application of the new antifouling paint. Success at this level means your hull is smooth, clean, and perfectly textured to accept new bottom paint. However, if your hull suffers from heavy, cratered paint buildup, extensive flaking, or hard barnacles that require aggressive machine grinding to level out, light sanding is no longer sufficient. At that point, the baseline has shifted, requiring an honest handoff to the heavy-duty stripping of Bottom Prep Level 3. . FAQ Section • Does this service strip all the old paint off my hull? No. Level 2 provides light sanding to key the surface for new paint without stripping your existing, intact coatings. Full paint removal is covered in Bottom Prep Level 3 or Level 4. • Does this service include applying the new antifouling paint? No. This service focuses strictly on preparing the surface. The actual application of the coating is booked separately under our Antifouling Application service. • How long does a Bottom Prep Level 2 take? It requires a minimum of 3 hours for an average 30-foot boat. Time varies based on the severity of the fouling and the overall condition of the hull.