www.iFourWinns.com

I removed my water heater to look for a water leak and found an unsightly mess. I believe I can clean it up but not well enough to make it look clean. How clean does it have to be to paint it and what should I use to prep it?

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Alexj



1995 Four Winns Horizon 190
OMC 5.0 RL

Any pics??

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Ardy
Adelaide South Australia
Red H180 3.0 Merc

I believe you should use a two part epoxy paint. Several coats will offer the best protection. You will need to wash the area thoroughly with soap and water and then wipe down with a solvent of some kind (acetone, varsol etc..) Check what the paint manufacturer recommends. West Marine sells a a whole line of this kind of stuff.

I have a similar situation in my 1993 Vista 245 that I need to address too.

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Marc, Kathlin & Nathalie


'89 Chaparral Laser 32

'93 Vista 245, 5.8L w/ King Cobra

Former Boats
'01 H260, 7.4 VP Duoprop
'98 H200, 5.0 GL w/VP SX drive

Heres what I have to work on:

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Alexj



1995 Four Winns Horizon 190
OMC 5.0 RL

Alex
I have a very similar situation to deal with in the spring. My plan is to degrease the whole area, peel of any areas that aren't sticking good, scuff up the surfaces with sandpaper, then put a good thick coat of epoxy on as a base (I might even laydown some fibreglass mesh like they use for drywall joints to give it some strength). After the initial coat dries I will apply a second coat after roughing up the surface again.

The epoxy I am eyeing to use is simply one of those garage floor kits they sell at Home Depot (approx $100). I would only mix half or less at a time.

Also, you may want to consider building in permamnet sleepers for your hotwater tank to sit on and epoxy right over them too.

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Marc, Kathlin & Nathalie


'89 Chaparral Laser 32

'93 Vista 245, 5.8L w/ King Cobra

Former Boats
'01 H260, 7.4 VP Duoprop
'98 H200, 5.0 GL w/VP SX drive

Please excuse my ignorance but what is a "sleeper" ? Is that epoxy white?

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Alexj



1995 Four Winns Horizon 190
OMC 5.0 RL

Alex
Sleepers are pieces of wood that you permanently attach to your structure and then you can attach things to them. They would raise your equipment off the "floor" so water and air can move freely and things can dry out. I should also have mentioned that they should go in after the first coat. I would just use some 1/2" tall by 1 1/2" wide strips of cedar

Thanks, Marc. I'll be posting pictures in the spring of the progress.

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Alexj



1995 Four Winns Horizon 190
OMC 5.0 RL

I was able to clean the mess up with a cleaner and re-assembled everything. Looks good and no water leaks anywhere.

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Alexj



1995 Four Winns Horizon 190
OMC 5.0 RL

How about some 'after' pics?

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2007 Horizon 200
4.3L GXi/ SX 225 HP