Antifouling. Brush or Roller?

Norman_E

Norman_E

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I will be antifouling in a weeks time. It will be my first time.
The existing antifouling is in good nick, with a few areas worn away and needing priming first, and I have the same brand to paint over it.
Should I use a brush or a roller? If I use a roller, what sort of roller should it be? Short pile, long pile or sponge? I am tempted to go for a mini roller rather than a full size one as it might be better on curved surfaces. Is this a good idea?
 
I use roller (2 coats), never sow someone use a brush.
coat it with west system epoxy before it.

I have a question as well.....
which paint , ameron abc3 or international ?
 
In the past I used the radiator type on a long handle but this year I used foam and it was just fine. A brush is needed for the fiddly bits and to put an extra coat round the waterline and on the leading edges, P bracket etc. Best tip - put a carrier bag over the roller tray and put the antifoul on that. When you've finished the bag comes off and you have a clean tray! Oh, stir the antifoul well and then stir it again and then do it whilst using it. Looks lovely once it's done.
 
I have seen AF tins which recommend a roller. Perhaps a brush does not provide a sufficiently matte surface which would reduce the effect of the AF?
 
Re: Antifouling. Brush or Roller?

Good luck with the worst job not involving the heads. A "smooth-surface" roller works fine. Get an extension handle and you will save a lot of effort and be able to reach under without breaking your back. The paint is expensive, so the important thing is to spread it very evenly.
 
short pile mini roller on a long radiator handle, easier to get to those hard to reach areas without getting the a/f on yourself...

If you use the foam roller check it doesn't melt, some do and some don't depends on type of a/f..

Stir it well before using.

get a paint tray with the plastic insert (b+q). then you just throw it away when finished, less mess, and a clean tray to use next time.

If you have a son or daughter, get them to do it, I have not antifouled/scrubbed down my boat now for the last 3 years now, my son beats me to it...i just have to mask it up...(price negotiable).

if you have any bits flaked off, primocon first and paint a/f on with paint brush to get level back up.
 
Re: Antifouling. Brush or Roller?

Do not see mentioned above is eye protection, get antifouling in your eyes and you are off to Hospital. Wife used to be first aider at Mylor Yacht harbour, she lost count of the number of people she had to deal with during the AF season.
Best is a radiator roller as mentioned, a full face visor, rubber gloves and old overalls.

Brian
 
Thanks to all. Consensus seems to be roller and I have one of the mini ones designed to get behind radiators, so that's what I will take.
 
I agree with all those who say miniroller. Up to you whether its a long handled one or not. I prefer a short handle.

Also yes the solvent in most A/Fs attack the foam rollers so I use the short pile type.

I did a 30 footer for a friend a couple of years ago with a standard size roller (supplied). Incredibly heavy work and it wasted so much paint.

Use a decent metal tray as the plastic ones are too wobbly to hold but dont mess about trying to clean it or protect it. Just use as much paint from it as possible then sling it in the shed 'til next year. Dont clean the roler either. Just sling it away. I dont even clean the brush now either. A drop of solvent soon softens it up when it is wanted the next year.
 
Get a paint mixing paddle from wickes and put it in a battery powered electric drill to mix the paint. Even with this and the drill at low speed it will take ages to get the antifoul mixed properly.
 
A cheaper version is to salvage the whisks from kitchen food mixers and the like. Also good for stirring the emulsion for home decorating!

Agreed that a battery powered drill takes ages - I use an electric drill - much quicker, but unless you require speckled surroundings, be sure to switch it off before removing from the paint!
 
If you need to stop for any reason, wrap the brush / roller in kitchen foil to stop the paint in them from going hard - works for at least a week. When you're done, just throw them away. It's cheaper to buy a new brush / roller than the thinners to clean them. Wipe the roller tray out to get rid of the worst of the paint, then just let the rest dry. Use again next year.

Andy
 
Small roller, long handle.
Make sure you take plenty of foam or long haired rollers as said before, they do tend to fall to bits or come unstuck from the spindle.
"Instore" (poundstrecher) sell packs of 6 for £2.00
 
Paper overalls, old trainers, old hat, goggles, barrier cream, short pile roller on broom handle, throw away plastic trays from b&q or equivalent, throw everything away after antifouling, no waste of thinners.
Use real turps to clean hands etc, must better for the skin, than petro chemicals.
 
Seems no one has offered an alternative:

Well I can't be only one to have used airless spray!

30 footer, 20 minutes to wipe clean, 20 minutes to mask, 5 minutes to mix, 10 minutes to apply. 5 minutes to remove masking.

Better finish than brush or roller and clean hands and clothing.

Quite cheap if a few of you get together and hire an airless spray for half a day, enough time to do 10 or more boats.

Avagoodweekend......
 
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Will someone please tell me why you would want to plaster your boats bum with a chemical compound that apparently eats rollers ?

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Dont let it worry you...You wont need antifouling while the boat is in yer garden
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