..I did nothing to "protect" the lead, simply painted onto the lead. I MAY have primed it, I lean toward that concept, I simply cannot remember. But I never had bottom paint fail to adhere or bubble or anything. No epoxy, no "protect". The only epoxy on the keel was a fairing compound in a few areas that needed filler where bubbles of moisture from the mold had left small pock marks. I used an epoxy/lead compound....cannot remember the brand but it still is made as I've seen the brand name on "instant" epoxy in the hardware store.