Antifouling removal

[Malo37]

I dare say this has been discussed previously. But - has anyone experience of soda blast ? Basically blasting off the old antifouling with baking soda. The website claims this is easy quick and relatively clean without damage to the gelcoat.

 

[johnalison]

I don't think that the substance used is as important as the skill of the operator. I don't know what they used for stripping my boat last year, but I took the trouble to view some of their previous work, which was very tidy, as was my boat when they had finished.

 

[snooks]

I wrote a feature about it when I had my boat blasted by the Antifoul Removal Company. It my be online by now.

No matter what is used the process is loud and messy. Yes, bicarbonate of soda can be washed off and will dissolve in water, but all the Antifoul is still littering the place.

Ice is expensive for one boat, but get a few owners together and the price comes down.

Grit is good, but it's all in the experience of the operator.

 

[Seajet]

I think it's essential to check the competence of operators and speak to previous customers - if they won't put you in contact with some, then in the name of all that's holy, don't use them...

At my club a few years ago 5-6 owners clubbed together to have their boats grit blasted; despite all the assurances, the idiots blasted the entire gelcoats off all the boats, leading to lots of legal recriminations ( I'm not sure if they got anywhere ), expensive repairs and a lost summer season for those boats.

 

[Malo37]

I've seen two boats in NE Scotland that were seriously damaged by blasters. On the other hand there are several reports of a good job with soda. Finding a competent blaster in NE Scotland is a challenge though.