Micron bottom paints - you might want to read this

[Wild Life Management]

I was thinking about switching to Micron 66 this year after using Micron CSC for the past few years. From what I've heard, it seems to be a great product. However, I noticed that it's not recommended for fresh water. The Micron 66 uses the salt in salt water to create a chemical reaction that constantly "self polishes" itself, even while sitting at the dock.

Sounds good, but when I called Interlux, I was told that the Micron 66 can never go into fresh water, ever.

Although I have yet to do it, I have often thought about running the boat up to philly to party for a weekend if the weather is too nasty to fish offshore, or if we have a hurricane come up this way we might need to move the boat inland for protection.

I was told that even brief exposure to fresh water could "seal up" the paint, and it would lose it's "self polishing" properties when it was back in salt water. It's also likely that when the boat is hauled and the paint dries, it would lose it's adhesion and start to flake off. Also, once Micron 66 is applied, it would need to be completely removed before going back to another type of bottom paint, even the other Micron paints.

The Micron 66 sounds like a great product, better than Micron CSC and Micron Extra, but only if you are certain the boat will only be in salt water.

I'm sure this info has already been shared somewhere here at this vast source of information we call SFC, but why not mention it again if it saves some one a major headache.

[bigfish4me]

Good info, i guess if you hauled it and it didnt seal itself you would be screwed if it rained....rain being fresh water. On the Philly thing......quite a few years ago there was a hurricane or nor easter predicted and on the way back from pulling our boat, we were coming across the commodore barry bridge and there must have been 20 sportfishers in a line making the run to ride out the storm....pretty neat, always wanted to give it a try as well.

[LuckyLady]

Good info!

Never seen that one before but makes sense!

Definite headache for sure if you don't know that one!

[JD5652]

Thanks for the heads up....I'm doing a barrier coat this year and have several gallons of Micron 66 lined up to go on afterwards. I will still go with the 66 as I don't ever foresee having my boat in fresh water.

Wonder why they do not have this caution right on the label or literature??

[Wild Life Management]

Thanks for the heads up....I'm doing a barrier coat this year and have several gallons of Micron 66 lined up to go on afterwards. I will still go with the 66 as I don't ever foresee having my boat in fresh water.

Wonder why they do not have this caution right on the label or literature??

There might be more info on the back of a can, but on their website it just says "Do not use in fresh water." I think it should read "Dude, you are screwed if you use this in fresh water."

Let us know how the 66 works, sounds like some good stuff.

[Mackey]

I been using Micron 66 for a year now and it is great in the Va Beach area. I never go into fresh water and the boat stays in the water year round.

[JD5652]

Anybody out there using Micron 66 that hauls their boat in the winter? I'd be interested to know any expereince with this scenario.....

[Prime Time]

I will be putting Micron 66 on my bottom this year, I told my contacts at Interlux that I was on Barnagat Bay and that sometimes when we cruise up Forked River that the water gets brackish, they also know that the boat gets pulled for the winter, they told me I would be fine......I will double check with them and let you all know what they said.

[Captain Jay Kavanagh]

not to hijack or anything, but I have always uses Awlgrip Awlstar and have excellent reselts.

It is a self polishing ablative and adhears well and does a good job on eliminating the growth, I use it on the skiff too.

Blasted a barier coated a couple of years ago with Interlux 2000e.

like the Awlgrip.

[Prime Time]

Spoke to Interlux today, Micron 66 is for saltwater use only and will not work in freshwater. But that does not mean you can never run the boat into brackish or freshwater, just cannot leave the boat in freshwater for a long period of time, as long as the boat is returned to saltwater you will be fine.

As for hauling out for the winter, all Micron paints from Interlux including Micron 66 can be hauled and dry stored for the winter, rain water will not have an effect on the product.

If you plan to put on Micron 66 over any other Micron or Bottomcoat from Interlux, I was told just make sure you sand the bottom well with a 60/80 grit sandpaper before you paint.

If anyone is considering using Micron 66 this year you can call the toll free number and ask any questions you may have 800-468-7589