out of the surface of the paint film, leaving a layer of ‘spent’ and taking time to achieve a smooth, even surface during each
film behind, which has to be removed during your maintenance stage of the preparation and application process, will improve
cycle. the final result and ultimately the performance of the coating in
Aluminium reacts with some copper-based antifouling paints service.
causing serious corrosion. Therefore, antifoulings containing Because antifouling paints are absorbent by nature, after
metallic copper or cuprous oxide should never be used. pressure washing to remove fouling and loose coating residue,
When coating aluminium use only copper thiocyanate based the hull should be wet-sanded using a mixture of fresh
antifoulings, after first ensuring the substrate has been primed water and detergent to remove any surface contaminants,
properly, according to the manufacturer’s guidelines. paying particular
attention to the
Help! – What’s on my hull?
waterline, where
oil and grease can
So – you’ve chosen your antifouling product, but your hull’s
accumulate. If your
been previously painted and you don’t know (or can’t
hull has previously
remember?!) what product is on there. If applying antifouling
been painted with
over a previously painted surface, establishing the compatibility
a hard antifouling,
of any new antifouling product with the existing paint scheme
sanding is the best
will help determine surface preparation requirements. If
way to smooth
compatible, your new antifouling can usually be applied
out and reduce the thickness of the old coating. once sanding
directly on top of the existing paint, after following the sanding
is complete, after rinsing with fresh water, the hull should be
and preparation instructions laid out by the manufacturer.
left to dry. once dry, tape off your hull at the waterline using
When working with ‘unknown’ or incompatible products,
an appropriate masking product - now your boat is ready for
there are two options available: if the existing paint surface
priming and antifouling.
is in good condition, a primer can be used (also referred to
Antifouling paint, by nature, is far more viscous than a finish
as an antifouling tie-coat) to ‘seal’ the existing surface before
coating and should not be applied using the type of short
applying the new product. However, if the existing coating is
napped roller, typically used for applying finishes, varnishes
in poor condition, it should be removed – this can be achieved
and the like. When applying antifouling it is critically important
using a chemical paint stripper or via mechanical methods,
to ensure that the correct amount of product ends up on your
ensuring the correct PPE is used.
hull, or you could end up accumulating unanticipated weed and
If you’re happy with your current paint specification,
fouling. A tip to achieving the smoothest coating is, after rolling
keeping a coatings diary, as part of your annual maintenance
on your antifouling, to ‘tip off’ with a paint brush to remove
programme, is a good method of retaining scheme
roller stipple. This will result in a smooth finish, whilst still
information. Additionally, if you know your paint coating history
ensuring that you have enough paint on your hull to protect
and are now looking to change brands, in addition to providing
against fouling.
product performance features and benefits, most antifouling
Whilst all the preparatory work may take time and feel very
manufacturers also publish compatibility charts, illustrating
tedious – keep focussed on the end result. Although antifouling
the compatibility of products within their range and across a
work may not provide the finished appeal and beauty that a
selection of the products on the market.
newly painted topside project brings, improving your boat’s
performance brings its own return. Remember, the smoother
the 80:20 Rule
your bottom paint, the lower its surface resistance, making for
Easily the most critical aspect of any painting project – expect less drag, a faster boat and improved fuel economy. Which has
a minimum of 80% of the project time to be spent on surface to be well worth the effort!
preparation and priming work. For more information on working with antifoulings and
When applying antifouling, good preparation and priming is general boat maintenance visit
www.yachtpaint.com.
essential to ensure that the old coating is fully removed and
that the new antifouling adheres to the surface for the duration Check out the May edition of Yachtworld for hints and tips
of the product’s life. Antifouling should always be wet-sanded, from International on summer maintenance projects.
MARCH 2009 YACHTWORLD.COM 43
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