Removing Antifoul off hull

[straycat]

I have a fibreglass carribean reef runner.
The previous owner had the hull antifouled which
now over the years looks like crap and I dont moor the boat.

So whats the easiest effective way of removing antifoul?
I dont fancy scraping/sanding such a big hull, has anyone used any other methods?

Also once its back to the gelcoat do I need to paint it?

Many thanks
Mel

[Tracker]

straycat,
whichever way you go,its a shit of a job.Last boat I did was a 27ft savage lancer(glass).ended up slinging boat up oncrane and sand blasting then cleanup and respray with sterling.great looking job BUT $$$$ .smaller bosats can be done with sandaes etc but gelcoat is hard not to damage.
if sanding find out what type of antifouling is on hull and wear protective breathing gear.some (all) antifoul is pretty deadly stuff.best of luck and have fun.
cheers

[finga64]

looks like it's time for the dust mask and sander

[Bosunsmate]

Hi Mel,

Was involved in the Coast Guard here in Townsville for some time and remember the hassle we had when we had to clean the twin hulls and reapply anti-foulant on the main vessel from time to time. My trade is Occ Health and Safety, in the interest of you and your families safety please accept some advice, It may prevent illness/suffering and your hip pocket suffering a dramatic loss of $$$$......

1. Some local councils have stringent control and disposal requirments for dust under the Environmental Protection Act....If you do the worng thing and someone complains about the dust you could be in strife and it could cost big big $$$$ in court......

2. On yours and your families personal safety issue you need to make sure you get the right respirators for the job, the wrong type of filter will allow the dangerous dust through to the places your'e trying to protect and the couple of $$ you save may well be used on medical bills for the rest of your life....

Not trying to discourage your effort, just want to see you get it right from the start. If you need help with council info drop me a PM I'll be happy to help if I can.

Good luck in your efforts, post us some pics of the in progress and completed job if you can.

Regards
Graeme

[Tracker]

2nd that. also be very very careful if you decide to burn off with torch.

[reScuE_RanGEr]

I heard once that petrol gets it off ??

Steve

[mini696]

Just put it in the water... The modern antifouls are so crap they'll wash off.

Mick

[Tracker]

onya mick that is untill you want it off

[Cheech]

I have the same problem. The hull of my 5.5m glass boat had been antifouled by a previous owner. Why you would antifoul a trailer boat I have no idea...

Have looked at removing it, but just seems to be way too big and awkward so will put up with it for now.

But is anyone does come up with an easy answer, I am all ears.

[Kerry]

Anti-fouled trailer boats, oh what a worry, so easy to do so damn difficult to undo. Don't envy the job ahead of you in anyway shape or form.

Before the sand blast option maybe see what's available in water blast (still won't totally clean it off) but whatever you use the gelcoat is going to be looking rather worse for wear.

Cheers, Kerry.

[troy]

kerry says oh whAt a worry
only worry if kerry is behind you
troy

[Kerry]

Troy, you must have been a little prick when you were a kid (probably still is) the real vindictive, spiteful little shit so unless you have something to say other than being a typical little bastard then you have no worries with anybody behind you, that is until you pull your head out you wouldn't hace a clue who was behind you.

So grow up junior your becoming rather obnoxious.

[Cheech]

Troy, I will be the first to question Kerry or anyone else when they comment what I think may be inappropriate, or just not needed. But I fail to see why you posted at all. This is my boat that Kerry commented about, and I agree with him.

I do not get where you are coming from.

I also noticed you put up a post to Phil about deleting your thread. I actually did not open that thread. I resisted as I have just had enough of the crap that seems to have started on this site over the last few months, particularly from selected people. We just do not need it.

If you want a site to argue on, then bugger off..

This site is about fishing. If you want to talk about fishing, then by all means stay. If not, you are not wanted or needed here.

Ok, off my high horse now.

Cheech

[straycat]

Thanks for the replies guys and the words of caution.
I understand the dangers of working with this stuff and I would like to avoid sanding.

The 4 years I have owned the boat I have been hoping it would come off with use but its not.

Tracker did sandblasting leave any dimples on the hull like orange peel or was it relatively smooth?

I have also found out that International marine paints has an antifoul stripper.
Has anyone used this?

My digital camera is in for repairs otherwise I would post some pictures.

Many thanks again
Mel

[Brejen]

Straycat, The company, F.G.I, fibre glass international, here on the Gold Coast ( presume they are elsewhere) are extremely helpfull when it comes to Fibreglass and Fibreglass products. Have had them help me out on a few occasions now and can not fault them. They are usually only to happy to assist in any way that they can, even if it's only advice over the phone. May be worth asking them as they have everthing that's needed to do anything with glass and more.
Cheech I'd like to agree with you about your last comment :
"I have just had enough of the crap that seems to have started on this site over the last few months, particularly from selected people. We just do not need it.
Totally agree. Some act as thou they are still in nappies just proud that my kids are better behaved then some of these people that are actually older than I am, and should know better. I can't understand how some people will start a thread asking for comments etc. then when people tell their opinions especially those that are against them its all school boy stuff, I'd have to say why ask it in the first place. Without harping on the one certain thread ( and there's more as well) but how Australian did the damm thread end up. In my opion not at all. Sorry Don't usually like to reply negatively but when i saw Cheech's last just had to agree. Also sorry to straycat for hijacking his thread.
Brett