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Slick Bottom

AirRanger

AirRanger

Well-known member
I've been checking out this forum for a while and finally got around to joining in. I'm building my first air-boat and I am in need of a good source of slick bottom and advise on applying it myself or having it done professionally. I just restored a '91 Apache 13' hull. Any recommendations would be appreciated
 
Welcome to the site.I bought my polymer from TSE Phil lamb 727-456-2872 The cost was about $317 for a 160x80 inch.They are in Clearwater and Phil was great to deal with.

Tom
 
http://www.fascoepoxies.com/

I called and got mine the next day. They will ship it right to you. There are different colors if you want.
I thought the price was right.

Super slick is what I used. I prepped with some rough grit and rolled it on with the shortest nap rollers I could find. Do it it early in the day so it has time to set up good before nightfall. I did it late in the afternoon and the next morning there were bugs all stuck to it, not that it really mattered though. It it so slick I've gone places I never even thought I could before.

I read on this forum once that some guys will lay down steelflex first, let it cure, and then prep again and lay slick bottom. It sounds good to me and the guys that post that info have a lot of experience to go on.

Make sure you measure it out right and mix it real good but hurry you will need to start laying it pretty quick.
Good luck.
 
I think using a sprayer to apply works better for me than rolling but you might not have access to a cup sprayer. Just remember, don't mix it too hot!!! I've actually seen the stuff start boiling cause we mixed it a little hot once. :roll: Make sure you clean the bottom of the hull real good after scuffing it up.

There are some guys who will do for you professionally but it will cost more. Some charge more than others and most have there own special brands or mixes. I'm pretty sure Predator Airboats still does it. He has a real good mix too. I took mine to Greg Taylor's Industrial Coatings in Lake Wales several times. He was the cheapest I found and I really liked his mix the best. PM me if you want more info or some #'s.

Adam
 
If you roll it, get ready for a giant pain in the a$$! Spraying would be much better and more even. I gave up and got polymer put on mine, but man is it ever squirrely now. Kinda makes me wish I had stuck with the slick bottom.
 
Thanks for all the advice. I ended up buying Frog Spit at Floral City AB and rolled it on just today. Although the prep work was tough the outcome seems to have turned out good. I won't really know until the boat is complete. I'm still working a little at a time.
 
I hear that doesn't last long. How much can you run dry roots and shells before it wears off. I went with uhmw 2 years on it so far. I wish i could say the same for motors.
 
it should last a long time if thats all the dry u run. I run about a average of 2 to 3 miles when I go out and my boat made a self run down state rd 60 at about 70 mph and the bottom is still slick and it didn't do any damage! :shock:
 
Were a river and a lake use to be. This is out on the upper st johns. I remember 2 years ago being 50 yards from camp with my bay boat.
 
ptr34":9gbf5cke said:
my boat made a self run down state rd 60 at about 70 mph and the bottom is still slick and it didn't do any damage! :shock:
Click to expand...

haha, gotta love those outings! i think we've all had at least one or two of those-

boat- $6500
gas- $120
slick bottom- $300
look on yankees' faces when being passed by an empty airboat on the highway- PRICELESS!!!
 
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