2 Pack Epoxy Narrowboat Blacking (STEP BY STEP)

[@TheNarrowboatExperience]

UPDATE: Hi all, thanks for your comments, I love reading them once we release an episode. I usually try and reply to you all individually, however, this time there are a few common questions, so I'm going to address them here. Firstly, the question about blacking the underneath of the boat. We did not black under the boat as it is not prone to rust and will likely scrape off when moored or sometimes wedged or even travelling. We did inspect it though and it is fine. Secondly, the question of 'how much did this type of blacking cost'. In our case we had to take the boat back to the steel to get the adherence that is necessary for effective 2 pack epoxy to stick. There fore we had to pay for the grit blasting and then the labour and the epoxy. We are not going into exact costs as that is between us and the boat yard. So if you are wanting to know because of curiosity, sorry. However, if you need to know because you are pricing this for yourself and want to know that the quotes you are being given are in the right ball park we suggest getting several quotes- that's what we did. We also went on the forums on canal world to check recommendations and prices. And again, thanks for all your comments, Annamarie

[@ghost307]

When I get asked how much something costs and want to keep the exact price to myself I usually give a range. My favorite response is that "the final price only has 1 comma in it".

[@barbarashumaker9301]

How fascinating, only the upper part that is exposed to air will rust? I love learning about these wonderful boats!

[@alanryder]

So ... how far down the boat, from the top, does the blacking go? How come it doesn't rust on the bottom which isn't blacked? I'm confused now as I thought that the blacking was to stop rust and from the answer above, the bit of the boat which is permanently under water isn't protected.

[@PaulBaird]

I'm not sure why it's so secretive to be honest. Most people looking at owning a narrowboat would like some idea of the maintenance figures including blacking.

[@malcolmbullock4297]

@@PaulBaird and therefore they can ring around for prices as suggested! Prices in the South will be very different to the North anyhow. Interesting the number of comments from non-boaters. 😁

[@mosschops1974]

Thank you for this video. As a result my boat is currently at Crafted Boats being two-pack blacked. They have been nothing but helpful!

[@ralphwood9865]

As a retired Master Mariner I'm very impressed with you ladies using the correct nautical terms.I love your vlogs you're always so good tempered and smiling and your blogs are so interesting.Fair winds and smooth locking

[@williamlokar7747]

I can now mark "watching paint dry"off my bucket list. Always a great vid you are great.

[@SadlyKaren]

Very informative. Both of you have wonderful speaking voices and are always so very charming! I am 67 yrs old and, until you came up on suggested videos, I had never heard of narrowboats or the canals (I hate to admit that). I truly love watching your adventures and have been binge watching your channel! We do not have canals in the states so I do the next best thing, I tow a tiny trailer during the summer and travel the state I live in. I do a lot of kayaking since my state, Michigan, is blessed with many many lakes, rivers and the “Great Lakes”. We also have sand dunes, state and national forests, the Picture Rocks and much much more. You should come and visit us sometimes😌.

[@jilly5909]

Absolutely wonderfully informative vblog, Kath's voice over was so professional. Her excitement and interest in the process was so lovely to see. I really did enjoy watching this brilliantly produced video. Many thanks.

[@tirednsnarky9555]

Very nicely narrated, Kath!

[@MrHabilis]

Hi, I came here from David Johns vlog (since he is probably on his way to New Zealand, as I write this). I particularly like this video about your experience with blacking your boat. As you know, David is so cheap that he did his himself, and I'm sure many viewers liked seeing other options. I also think your explanation about the anodes was better than I had heard previously. Thanks, Phil K. Indianapolis USA

[@stephenbachofen3208]

curious how the parts of the boat resting on the blocks got blacked?

[@mozamariner4443]

I’ve seen David doing his blacking, this way seems a lot easier and better and less messy (for you two ladies), I think you should drop him the hint, especially if it doesn’t need doing for about seven years. Thank you for coming back on a Sunday, I’ve missed you. 😚

[@TheNarrowboatExperience]

Yay, happy to be back on Sundays

[@alexanderforbes3245]

I’ve been watching your wonderful videos (and Dave’s) for about a year because I’m planning to live “on the cut”. Tomorrow I start a week’s try-out on a canal boat. I’m sooooo excited!

[@diannesault7566]

Love you two ladies. You are very informative, especially to the none boater who just loves narrowboat videos.

[@chriscross9505]

There's nothing like a nice clean bottom when all is said and done.

[@user-ur8df9bi9s]

Tru dat dawg, tru dat.

[@alexanderforbes3245]

Why wait till all is said and done?

[@briandufty1609]

I don't get it ?.

[@MichaelsMustang]

This is an excellent video, you explained the reason for your choice and then a detailed explanation on the actual process including what an anode is and it function. Not being able to stay with the boat is also helpful as that is an added expense that needs to be planed. I like the prison comment for the cats, if boarding costs are like here you should call it a five star resort. As far as costs good call as with so many size variations length and width that would be an extremely long piece of string.

[@yonatanbenavraham6598]

Very nice to get the hull maintenance done where you were able to actually see it transpiring. Looking forward to seeing you (and cats also) both in more funny and breathtaking episodes of life on the water . Thank you for your time and trouble in documenting these necessary boating tid bits that might be overlooked by other Vlogers.

[@iandonachie9549]

Ladies... absolutely fascinating, watched a several others ( including his nibs ) do theirs on other vlogs. Would not be so cheeky to ask the cost, just interested in the process and the epoxy benefits. If it gives you 5 to 7 years its something I will consider for my Dutch barge when her time comes for reblacking. All these things really do give a valuable source of information. Thank you again for a really informative vlog.

[@Tnapvrvideo]

This was very informative! I had only seen bitumen being applied on the other videos I had watched. This 2-pack epoxy option and its in-water coverage expectation of 5+/- years is quite appealing.

[@Tnapvrvideo]

My wife and I have thoroughly enjoyed your videos. They're very professional yet very personal. Well Done!!! BTW, when the clock rolls around for the next bottom blacking effort, will you, again, sand blast and apply 2-pack epoxy? I thought the look of the hull after the sand blasting was excellent - it just looked like it was worth the cost.

[@davidsedlickas8222]

The boatyard you chose was a good one. I do admire professional people who do a great job. Two pack is a preferred option to bitumen I agree. I wish to make a suggestion that you may or may not have or you may or may not know about. At the bow of your boat inside where you descend into the boat via steps and at the rear of the boat where you ascend steps to leave the boat. What I am referring to is free air flow from front to back under your floor to allow trapped moisture escape. If you find both ends are closed in then there cannot be any air flow. On our boat we had the front open but the back closed so I opened up the back lid on the floor and drilled air holes in the lift lid inspection hole under the rear steps ( hidden not seen ) I thought it was a good idea and was happy to complete the project on our boat.

[@ghost307]

They might have cut s slit in the top of the cover at the very top of the front and back so there was a tiny bit of airflow during the week that the boat was being worked on.

[@PeterT1981]

Very nicely videoed and very easy to listen to narration. So nice of you to do this informative video.

[@jamesfleming6773]

I enjoyed seeing the whole process.👍🇬🇧

[@cherylwevill9980]

Very interesting. I'm getting my boat blacked in December (first time since buying my boat!) I'm glad you could show the difference between the two processes, as i remember your vlog about getting your first boat blacked.

[@JCDiamond]

I don't have the words for how much I loved this video. Thank you for taking us along and for all the detailed explanations.

[@TheNarrowboatExperience]

Thank you so much. Very kind x

[@garrystacey7018]

Will miss your back garden on the back fender 😂😂😜 the boat is looking great

[@TheNarrowboatExperience]

It'll grow back I'm sure

[@LisaMarli]

It looks lovely. And so nice that you did it correct. May it last even longer than advertised. I'm sure Alice gave you quite a story when she got back on the boat.

[@TheNarrowboatExperience]

They were both unhappy, but they can't even stay cross for the whole ride home.

[@jayoneill1533]

Very informative and interesting. Lazy Days looks very nice and it is a sign of a wise DIYer to know when to leave the job to the pros.

[@AlisonFort]

Wow - that looks like great fun and your boat is now very smart!

[@billmoran3812]

You ladies are an inspiration. Many women would be intimidated by owning and maintaining a live aboard boat, yet you handle it in stride and with class. One question though, I don’t think you have ever said how you both met. Annamarie, I know you are from New South Wales AU. And Kath is from England. So, how?

[@brianrayment5019]

Brilliant vlog and very educational.

[@chrischew7289]

Well you out geeked Jono! Very interesting.. More points for you

[@ianofsjkartwork]

What great craftsmanship we have in the UK....she looking amazing with her new paint job.....thanks for sharing

[@britannia-foundry]

Very informative and lovely to have you back on Sunday, it just has not been the same without you x x

[@richardwallinger1683]

excellent prep work . fingers crossed the two pack will last . I remember using some black waterproofing water based coating for the underground brickwork of my cellar .From memory I think it was a dunlop product .it was a dark brown liquid which dried pitch black like bitumen .

[@gizzo123us]

Glad to see you did the grit blasting that should last a long time !!! Looks great!!!

[@TheNarrowboatExperience]

Thanks

[@jiloute22]

Your boat looks great now, smart choice, protection for 5-6 years against 2-3 years with bitumen I think we should not hesitate

[@barnicalbobby6689]

Wow, that's great. I was just wondering about the hull and this answers all of my questions.

[@richardbergmark6722]

Thank you for your excellent work! Great episode. You two(four) stay safe and healthy.

[@navigator100group2]

I appreciate where the logic of 2 pack comes from. Please do a video when you eventually ascend the Cheshire locks from Wheelock to kidsgrove this used to be my home stretch as it were. Why because every top gate hinge projects into the path of the boat when exiting, that gives you 30 plus paint scrapers to look out for any one of which takes you down to bare metal. I used to take the boat annually to keep on top of this.

[@Bushcat67]

Great video as usual but did wonder how they did the bits on the bottom where it was resting on the sleepers.

[@TheNarrowboatExperience]

HI, please see pinned response and thanks for watching.

[@paulstanding7267]

Hi both very interesting and informative regarding the blacking of a narrowboat of the 2 part epoxy coating as for the bottom plate don’t black it because it just rubs off.one question you put new anodes on front and stern but not in the middle as normally you would put some there.take care but the boat looks very good 😀👍

[@alexcarrie4526]

Great job very well explained I hope your blacking job lasts as long as they say. It also looks like you have found a decant boatyard to get the job done and are looking after you very well. Now your back on the water I hope the floods and heavy rain have not caused you any trouble if you keep out the rivers you should be fine, good luck.

[@stephenwilliams6939]

Looks fantastic 👌

[@tedwards2515]

I think that's a good call. I did my pontoon boat in 2 pack, it's in salt water so it comes out every so often to clean the barnacles but has not needed a repaint in 4 + years.

[@edfrawley4356]

Iv'e always known it as 2 part epoxy (as opposed to 2 pack) but maybe thats just a difference between Canada and the UK. But doubling the time between blackings sure seems like the way to go. Im sure Lazy Days will be proud to show off her shiny new black coat.

[@danensis]

I've always known it as two-part and I'm in the UK

[@romuluskhalil4041]

Gorgeous!

[@TheNarrowboatExperience]

Thank you! 😊

[@davidfurness3355]

Did the welding of the anodes cause any scorching on the inside of the boat? Just wondered if you had to strip the wall panels off as a fire precaution?

[@nk14zp]

As a mechanic on the coast I think you made the right decision.

[@wonka2112]

I'd love to see Anna design a really cool logo to replace the " Lazy Days " currently on her. You can do it Anna!! Great video, thank you.

[@matthewgriffiths8423]

Fantastic video. Just a quick question. What about directly under the boat. Does this get protected ?

[@tonydeleo3642]

Do they spray the underside of the hull? If so, how do they spray the parts of the hull that sits on the blocks? Thanks, very informative video!

[@mranthonye]

Wow. I’m impressed. Lazy Days looks so proud with her new bottom😂❤️

[@TheNarrowboatExperience]

She is lovely.

[@johninokla2635]

anthony white, I'd feel proud if my bottom was blacked with 2 pack epoxy. = )

[@franksewell8466]

Lazy Days looks great

[@negativelybuoyant5835]

Looks great guy's 👍🏼 might do that next on my boat.... but I've got few years as she was blacked in May 😉🤞🏻👍🏼

[@abefrohman1759]

Looks brilliant ladies all the best to you .

[@kiwikea2002]

This was very instructive and detailed - thank you so much. One thing I've been wrapping my brains around ... How did they treat the area where the boat lay on the chucks, surface in contact with the wood, and which couldn't be sprayed? Or could it?

[@mikehurley5052]

They dont black the bottom plate.

[@saltermellon644]

Brilliant, thank you

[@m.d.grimes1622]

Very interesting, thanks for the video. 👍👍👍😎

[@stevemusgrave2000]

Brilliant vlog ladies. As you quite rightly say, cost is between you and the boatyard. All that info can be gleaned by quotes, pick your price and go. To be fair that is the case for most things in life. I am going to black my bottom.......oooh errrr! ......next year, bitumen route this time, to give me enough time to save up for 3 years for the two pack route. I have only one question, when you do have a scratch/gouge in the side, what do you use to paint over it?

[@annewellington3696]

Thank you so very much for a informative blog, worth waiting for. Regards to you.

[@foxybruce]

Do they treat the parts of the underside of the hull that the support blocks are obstructing access too separately or do you just have to live with those parts untreated?.

[@mommahil4323]

the bottom question was one we were wondering too - thanks for replying, but the next question is why doesn't the bottom rust in the same way? is it because the sides come into contact with both air and water and both are needed to rust?

[@TeeVeeZed123]

What about underneath the boat where it was resting on the chocks?

[@chrisskelhorn5727]

How do the decide where the anodes will go? Is it a carefully worked out formula, or is it a case of 'as long as they're underwater, they're fine'? Another Sunday of seeing your lovely smiles! Brilliant! :-)

[@smokedoliver1]

Was the very bottom of the boat treated as well?

[@searingmaddo]

How do they blacken the hull that is sitting on the supports. Should the blacking be thicker

[@philradnor7701]

You cannot beat a classic Film Noir on a wet Sunday morning and thankfully not too many eye rolling juvenile jokes in the Comments section either ! Well done.

[@andrewcosten]

Nice video

[@DonaldF73]

How do they doo the under part that is resting on the blocks

[@alanwainwright473]

Hi ladies, do they black the bottom plate or not? i have heard that because the bottom plate never comes in contact with the air it cannot rust. Very nice job there, thanks.

[@terryrigden4860]

Thanks for an interesting and informative video

[@juliephelps2026]

Crafted Boats did ours, too. They're very good. Great choice!

[@saniamoore]

May I ask how much did you pay and for what size boat? ☺

[@Andy_U]

Hiya. You were off the boat for 4 days? The pub's going to miss you, then. Lazy Days looks great! All the best to you.

[@markgalassini8742]

Cool!! Looks like a great way to travel. Thanks, Mark in Milwaukee Wisconsin USA

[@janeabbotts]

I found that very interesting, thank you.

[@lynnmurray4584]

Do you have to do the bottom or just the sides?

[@EscapeToTheCut]

Great informative video guys, we have this booked in for next year but DIY, ours is already blacked with epoxy so should just be a simple overcoat and touch up.

[@stephenhughes2775]

Great video really enjoy your channel.

[@annepegum3351]

2 pack epoxy - sounds like a rap artist to me !! 😎😃😄

[@stephenbowker824]

When applied I noticed severe rust blooming probably due to the damp atmosphere in the dock when we had ours done a couple of years ago and an area of about 2/3 hours worth of blasting was coated before moving on when completed a second coat two pac was applied all over.

[@peterking8264]

Thank you for an outstanding vlog, can I ask you though, I’ve seen a few videos of the blacking \ epoxy covering but no one talks about the underside of the boat, you have a beautiful boat she stands out, but,aren’t you concerned about the underneath metal??? After all it is the most important part of the boat isn’t it ?

[@narrowboatlane2241]

Hi ladies. Whats the typical costings for this? Im looking at getting Regal Romantic blacked in the spring at a cost of about 400 quid so even though itll need doing again in a few years, money wise would it average out?

[@bennyhill5938]

400 for 2 pack epoxy? bargain!

[@narrowboatlane2241]

@@bennyhill5938 have a little read back. 😉

[@tigerspook1]

Hi Ladies! Lovely to see Lazy Day's hull is in such good condition, and she looks good with the new coating, ...???? xxx

[@alanbackshall3171]

Was the bottom of the boat, also blacked?

[@michaeljohnson-li5nn]

Very interesting and informative video. I believe they use chilled iron particles as the blast media as opposed to sand. The use of sand has been prohibited for several years as the silica released during the process is potentially harmful to your health. I have been considering selling my classic motorcycles and purchasing a narrow boat. It looks so idyllic and peaceful when you are onboard. I have a bit of a connection to the canals as the Cromford canal runs past the bottom of my garden, unfortunately this section is not navigable. The Cromford canal (at the moment) stops at the Langley Mill basin where it becomes the Erewash canal. There is a section of the canal at Cromford itself, but this is separated from joining the main canal by the disused Butterley tunnel. The Cromford Canal Society is hoping to restore the canal to its former glory. It would be fantastic to see narrowboats going past my garden again!

[@susannnnnnnnnnnnnnn]

Looks much faster than the other way and looks a better job

[@philiplindley7384]

How did they do the bits where the boat was resting on the timber?

[@TheNarrowboatExperience]

HI, please see pinned response and thanks for watching.

[@derbuckeyetribe9789]

Excellent video. Thanks for sharing! When it comes to major maintenance projects, I'm a firm believer in doing it right the first time and spending the extra money to make sure it's done right. Even If I have to scrimp, save, and patch for a bit, until I can afford to get something done right. Oops I should've read the above. You answered my question about the bottom plate already. Again, Thanks for the video, I've been enjoying them. LOL on the comment about having to put the cats in prison. Sadie (my border collie) and Midnight (her Tomcat henchman in crime) would not be amused!

[@darrannewman7113]

A profesional job done there, Something i have noticed not just with your boat but others is the amount of surface wash from your propeller, this is waste'd energy and i wonder if the deflector plates (on the rudder) were larger and angled the amount of wash would be reduced giving the boat more power for les rev's.

[@normplatt7549]

Job well done!

[@IC1swUSNRet]

Well done video. Very informative. Happy Holidays Ladies 😊

[@ednamitchell8306]

I have a question don’t they spray the underneath of the boat

[@watcher24601]

Thanks for this and covering the difference between epoxy and bitumen. It was also a nice touch for Annamarie to black the ends of her hair to match Lazy Days. Have you any plans to repaint Lazy Days above the waterline this winter?

[@thomasolsson8816]

That was interesting to see. Thanks for cheering.

[@scottfw7169]

Interesting details on rudder; the tab and loop on top, and the step looking things each side - am guessing those have something somehow to do with water flow path since I can't imagine diving off the stern to swim in the 1 to 2 meter deep canal and using them as boarding steps to return to dive again.

[@johnleefearnley6588]

First time watching your experiences and true that next year we will be shot blasting our 57 foot narrow boat that we built ( that's welding 27 feet extension and full cabin and fitting her out ourselves) lol been cruising 5 years on her now blacked twice I must say the 3 pack is greatl stuff but I find it's too brittle and once chipped it comes off in sheets, but that's what's happened with some boats we know I'm a believer in 5 coats of red oxide then rhytek bitumen at least 4 coats it's just more durable we find that's all but enjoy yourselves and anyone wanting a price 500 pounds for shot blasting up ours near Doncaster 👍

[@TheNarrowboatExperience]

Interesting thank you

[@willwaldron2146]

I am unsure what happens to the underside of the keel. The sides get blackened but what about the bottom? If it's on the supports then those parts can't be accessed. What happens to the bottom?!

[@sandbridgekid4121]

The "Two o' Hearts" are back on The Cut! Hurrah! Huzzah!

[@ashrevlution3456]

How long did you wait for the top coat to fully cure before allowing the water to enter again?

[@eirishemd]

Lazy Days looks very smart. Black is so flattering. Lol. Hope the cats made it safely out of prison and back home. Hugs👍🇨🇦❤️😎

[@lawrencedevaney3951]

How does the underside of the hull get blacked.? Including the places where the supports are?

[@TheNarrowboatExperience]

HI, please see pinned response and thanks for watching.

[@catherinewallis5694]

I know this is from long ago but I found it very interesting, thank you. Question.... how did the underneath get painted?

[@TheNarrowboatExperience]

No