Anti-fouling. Brush or roller?

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peterandjeanette

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Just about to do a little painting job on the boat's bottom. ( 45 footer )
It's my turn. :(

After applying masking tape, brush round the waterline and skin fittings then use roller?
What size roller? 7" on a pole or 3" ? What material for the roller?

All thoughts gratefully received.
 
On a boat that size I would go for the widest roller you can.
I always use foam rollers although the latest lot were attacked badly by the solvent in the paint. Use rollers designated for gloss paint which shuld give you the best finish.
Good luck
 
I always use a small roller, doesn't take long. Most important though is to keep stirring the paint, I use one of these on a drill.....go slowly with the drill! and don't roll the brush dry, apply thickly.
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I use a small roller too but a few years ago I did a friends boat for him with the large roller he had supplied. So heavy when loaded with paint that by the time the job was complete my arm felt that it was going to drop off!
 
I use a small roller. It soaks up less paint, so it doesn't get heavy, and also doesn't splatter you so much.
 
I only antifoul once every 2 years, and for that regime to work it's essential to apply sufficient product. To ensure this, I use a 5" brush and apply 2 generous coats, plus a third coat around the waterline. I find this is quicker and easier than applying multiple coats by roller.
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I used to (got coppercoat now :D) use the B&Q value roller and tray sets and chuck 'em after use. The rollers were 10 or 12 inches wide, which is a good thing - why would you not want to slap the maximum amount of paint on per stroke? Also had a brush for fiddly bits around the stern gear, and long-handled radiator roller for getting behind the bilge fins without having to roll around in the mud.

Pete
 
I bought three of these sets, but used two of them:

http://cpc.farnell.com/harris-decorating/4210/roller-set-9-extra-sleeve/dp/TL13849 Note: FREE delivery at the moment ...

I use a flat stick for stirring, I've got a few that are about 25mm wide by 3mm. Others are available on eBay.

Two people working together, two coats, three by the waterline, brush for fiddly bits. Cover tray with kitchen foil, then remove to leave tray as new again. Wrap rollers and brush in Clingfilm between coats. Dispose of all of it when done.
 
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For the last few years I have had good results from using the small foam gloss rollers but do not buy the cheapo B&Q rollers as they will fall to bits from the solvent in the A/F. Having tried many types I now only use "Harris" brand rollers than seem to last the best. You can buy them in packs of 10 online and that will last you a few years.
 
20 years of testing - my preference in small roller with long handle. This seems to allow decent pressure when painting and creates little splash and I can reach I decent way underneath so less crawling under keels. With fat roller I seemed to get more on me and it needed more paint as i was not able to give a thin coat.
Only use brush in inaccessibe areas around rudder
Get masking tape off quick as the residue can be a pain to remove if left on
 
Halo said:
20 years of testing - my preference in small roller with long handle. This seems to allow decent pressure when painting and creates little splash and I can reach I decent way underneath so less crawling under keels. With fat roller I seemed to get more on me and it needed more paint as i was not able to give a thin coat.
Only use brush in inaccessibe areas around rudder
Get masking tape off quick as the residue can be a pain to remove if left on
Click to expand...
use blue masking tape.
more expensive but has better adhesive properties & easier to remove after a fer days
 
We get together with a bunch of others who are about to antifoul and hire an airless paint spay rig, takes about 10 minutes to do a 30 footer and only 15 for 40 odd foot hull.

Draw lots for who gets first and last use. Ist picks up the rig and delivers to the yard, last cleans and returns it, the more the merrier and reduces the shared hire cost and also reduces the chances of winning the first and last positions.

Good luck and fair winds.

PS. don't even think about doing this with a littler handyman home type though. :)
 
Roller every time. I shudder to think how long it would take by brush.

9 in roller on a long wooden handle. Long enough so I can keep standing through the whole process AND use both hands.

Tried both foam and hairy ones. Not much difference as far as I can see. Both did the job. Wrap it in cling film overnight.
 
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