How to remove anti fouling paint

[jeffengle]

What can I use to remove old anti fouling paint? the boat will no longer be used in salt water.

 

[stevieray]

Re: How to remove anti fouling paint

What can I use to remove old anti fouling paint? the boat will no longer be used in salt water.

jeff - welcome aboard iboats!

Are you going to keep it out of the water when you aren't using it (on a trailer or lift)?

 

[Yacht Dr.]

Re: How to remove anti fouling paint

Interlux AF paint remover..and a good sharp scraper ( along with proper resporator and suit...gloves etc. )

but..now this is advice not knowing size and how much paint you want to remove.

Do you intend on keeping it in dry dock while not using as steve asked ?

 

[jeffengle]

Re: How to remove anti fouling paint

I keep the boat on the trailer when not in use. Also, it is a 26ft Sleekcraft Ambassador Daycruiser

 

[flashback]

Re: How to remove anti fouling paint

There are 3 ways I have removed AF paint..
1. sand it off
2. strip it with paint remover
3. sand blast it off with ground up walnut shells..
Like stated above, use proper body protection when using any of the 3 methods...

 

[tmh]

Re: How to remove anti fouling paint

What will be left once the anti-fouling is off? Do you take it down to the original gelcoat and shine it up? Or is there typically a lousy surface under there?

 

[Gabby]

Re: How to remove anti fouling paint

I posed the same question a few weeks ago and received a varied number of responses. Sandblasting with Walnut shells was there, as was scraping, various chemicals, etc etc.

I called a boat place nearby that specializes in hull and structure repair and they asked if there was a spot where it had come off already. I told them that the keel had much of it alreayd rubbed off. They told me to feel the gel in that spot, if it was sanded and prepped properly that might be somewhat rough, It wasn't. Repair guy said that probably meant they never properly prepped the boat to begin with. His advice then was to use a pressure washer and knock it off with that. He told me that is what he does.

I haven't tried it yet, but I'll let you know. Nova II (on here) also advocated and provided pictures of his boat, He used Laquer Thinner and wooden scrapers to take it off, then cleaned it with detergent and a scotch pad.

Good luck, there seems to be a few ways to do it and I have yet to try any. BUt I will, within the week.

 

[jeffengle]

Re: How to remove anti fouling paint

Thank you all for the information. The hull was never prepped for the AF paint and can be buffed after removal. It was applied with a paint brush. Also in reply to Gabby, I would like to have a bigger boat, but I am servicing what my friends call a fleet. I have three boats to take care of. The boat of question is my Hot Rod.

 

[flashback]

Re: How to remove anti fouling paint

I didn't catch the year, model of the boat, but in most cases, the manufacturer warranty is void if the hull is sanded prior to applying the AF.. here's the catch, if you don't sand the hull, the AF won't stick so after a few months the AF starts flaking off in large chunks.. if you have this situation, then by all means, use a chemical stripper because you will be able to buff the gel after you get the paint off.. but.. if the person who put the AF on following the paint instructions, then the hull is probably preped by sanding with 80 grit sand paper..in this case, the gel will be a nightmare to bring back to gloss and most likely even be sanded off in some spots..at this point I would suggest re-painting the hull...good luck with your project...

 

[Gabby]

Re: How to remove anti fouling paint

Jeff,

The "your going to need a bigger boat" is on all my posts and is stolen from Jaws, when Chief Brody sees the shark up close and personal.

Good luck. Let us knwo how it turns out.

 

[bilgeboy]

Re: How to remove anti fouling paint

Guys are also using solid CO2 (dry ice) to blast AF off the hull.

I've been considering this option myself.

Mike

 

[Gabby]

Re: How to remove anti fouling paint

Scratch the power washer method. I havea 2400 PSI model and it made a small bit of headway, but not enough to matter.

Next effort, some bio friendly product like Peel Away 7 or an equivalent. I'll let you know.

 

[dhillis]

Re: How to remove anti fouling paint

I'm going through the same thing right now.
I tried a 2500PSI pressure washer to no avail, it basically knocks off all the loose paint.
I then tried paint remover and a scraper with negative results, it removed the paint for the most part, but didn't touch the scratched up areas. It also took a lot of paint remover to get through to the gel coat.
I then tried the sanding method, which I found to work quite well. It is definitely the most labor intensive, but I believe it is worth the time and effort. I'm using a Dewalt orbital sander and 60-grit to cut through the paint and 220-grit to fine tune the gel coat.
I should also note that I used a dual action sander, which really cuts through the paint, but it leaves waves/grooves in the gel coat. Then you have to use the orbital sander to smooth it back out again. The orbital sander is more of a "all-in-one" process, as it takes the paint off and also preps the gel coat for either buffing or repainting.
I also trailer my boat, so I am considering three options: paint with a hard, permanent paint (non anti-fouling), re gel coat, or buff and polish original gel coat. The problem I am running into while sanding is I am finding that some places in the gel coat is thinner than others, which makes me hesitant to buff and polish original gel coat.

To summarize, I would recommend this (if you have the tools and time):
1) pressure washer to knock off loose paint and clean up the working area
2) use orbital sander with 60-grit to cut through paint, don't go too far with this because you want to leave enough gel coat for final prepping
3) same as #2 with 220-grit to final prep gel coat
4) hand sand all the small areas and be careful to follow the natural and original grooves of the gel coat
5) pressure wash final product to remove all dust and debris from sanding process

Hope this helps,
Dan

 

[Gabby]

Re: How to remove anti fouling paint

Dan,

AS you sem to have a handle on this and Ohio isn't too far, when can I drop her off? 8)8)

PS, I would like to have her back and complete in time for the Derby Festival and Thunder on the Ohio.

I'm actually going to try NOVAII's method today with Laquer thinner and wooden scrapers on the sides and transom to see what THAT does. Peel Away is hard to come by, so I'll have to order that and wait for it to get here.

Good luck with yours, I'll keep you posted.

 

[Gabby]

Re: How to remove anti fouling paint

Found some Peel Away at Lowes today. Peel Away 6 to be precise, which is safe for all fiberglass products.

I did a test area about 1 foot square. after 1 hour tired to scrape a bit, no dice. 2 hours, decent headway. 4 hours, AF paint peeled of like an orange rind. Scrubbed the residue with a scoth pad and some laquer thinner, and the gel coat looked darn good.

Gallon will cost you 57 big ones, but it seems to do the trick.

Happy scraping.

 

[jeffengle]

Re: How to remove anti fouling paint

I bought that paint remover that was advertised on tv. I went online and got the marine type remover. After about 2 hours, you can scrape it of and if there is any residue or AF in the scratches you can wipe it off with a wet cloth

 

[Gabby]

Re: How to remove anti fouling paint

Jeff, good deal. Glad to hear your making headway. What was the name of the product?

 

[jeffengle]

Re: How to remove anti fouling paint

It is called Aqua Strip. It is the marine version of Ready Strip. It costs about $50 a gal. and it is like real thick jelly. When you apply it on the sides or bottom it won't run off. Also you can leave it on for up to 24 hours in cool conditions and won't harm the fiberglass. I bought it online.

 

[Gabby]

Re: How to remove anti fouling paint

Sounds like the peel away I bought. 60 a gallon online, 57 at Lowes and no shipping.
I'll post some pics of before and after once I begin.

 

[jeffengle]

Re: How to remove anti fouling paint

I tried to send pictures to show you how the stripper works but the attachment seems to be too large​