Antifoul removal.....

[Paul1972stevens]

OK so I don't have a budget for this job and I have scrapped away for two days not really getting there..... Any ideas please.??

 

[GrahamM376]

OK so I don't have a budget for this job and I have scrapped away for two days not really getting there..... Any ideas please.??

Keep going, it's an absolute pain and one I wouldn't want to repeat. 2 handed scrapers are best or, if really thick and flaky, a multi-tool with scraper blade.

 

[[70521]]

OK so I don't have a budget for this job and I have scrapped away for two days not really getting there..... Any ideas please.??

Keep scraping.

I am doing the same and all of a sudden the layer that I am scraping to is joining up.

 

[Georgio]

Grit teeth and carry on, but do it with a decent scraper, you need a Bahco 665 with replicable carbide blades (or something similar).

I have just done a 24' boat and it's a horrible dirty job.

 

[LittleShip]

Ive posted this several times.

http://www.gelplane.co.uk/proscraper/product.asp

I removed the anti foul on my boat using this in one weekend.

Tom.

 

[Concerto]

Keep going. Last winter I did my 32ft Fulmar. Luckily it was quite easy to remove using a 1½" chisel and it only took me 2 days. What surprised me more was it took 5 days to sand the gel coat to completely remove all traces of antifouling before applying GelShield. Do use a mask and eye protection, and wear a good overall with a hood.

 

[dimdav]

Grit teeth and carry on, but do it with a decent scraper, you need a Bahco 665 with replicable carbide blades (or something similar).

I have just done a 24' boat and it's a horrible dirty job.

+1 on this, did mine a couple of years ago and its a pain of a job but carbide blades were the best method I found. Keep going and you will feel really satisfied once its done. That said I wont be rushing to do it again.

 

[CET1]

Did this last year on 36 ft boat. Bacho/sandvik scraper handle, blades from B&Q Hamilton heavy duty £1.79e, Use and chuck. Not a nice job but one gets a rhythm by the end and was better than any other method I tried. Just remember to use a good quality mask anti foul is toxic.

 

[Spi D]

Ive posted this several times.

http://www.gelplane.co.uk/proscraper/product.asp

I removed the anti foul on my boat using this in one weekend.

Tom.

+1

 

[alahol2]

Did mine a few years back with a 1 1/2" chisel. I did port side one winter, couldn't bear the thought of any more so, starboard the next.

 

[KevB]

Keep going, it's an absolute pain and one I wouldn't want to repeat. 2 handed scrapers are best or, if really thick and flaky, a multi-tool with scraper blade.

+1 For a multi-tool. Something like this http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/DRAPER-180W-MULTI-FUNCTION-OSCILLATING-DETAIL-SANDER-CUTTER-SCRAPER-TOOL-TOOLS-/390810608843?pt=UK_Home_Garden_PowerTools_SM&hash=item5afe20a4cb will help make light work of it. Although be careful of your gel coat

 

[Georgio]

+1 For a multi-tool. Something like this http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/DRAPER-180W-MULTI-FUNCTION-OSCILLATING-DETAIL-SANDER-CUTTER-SCRAPER-TOOL-TOOLS-/390810608843?pt=UK_Home_Garden_PowerTools_SM&hash=item5afe20a4cb will help make light work of it. Although be careful of your gel coat

I tried a Fein-type multitool (I have the Bosch equivalent) with the scraper head and found the Bacho scraper better, easier and quicker but that was on a wooden hull, a GRP hull would perhaps behave differently as the surface is likely to be a bit harder.

The most important thing is perseverance and a flask of coffee (+ biscuits) for when you need a break. Regular breaks for arm recovery is a good idea

good luck.

 

[lpdsn]

Took me six weeks all told. Would've been quicker if I'd decided right at the beginning to remove all the old anti-foul.

Has made life easier ever since.

 

[BlueChip]

Get some caustic soda (sold as drain cleaner from one of the cheap shops like B&M) and make as strong a solution as you can by adding it slowly to water, the water will get warm. Don't breath the fumes. Thicken the solution with wallpaper paste.
Paint liberally on the hull, covering with a layer of polythene to prevent it drying out. Don't get it on any coloured topsides.
Leave as long as possible, then peel off the polythene and you'll find the paint has softened and you can strip it off with a scraper.
Depending on how much has built up, you may need two or more applications.
Take all appropriate precautions to prevent it getting on your skin and eyes. Dispose of the residue carefully.