Belt sanders and antifouling

Marine Reflections said:
Depending on where you haul out, it should be caught in a closed loop system.
Unfortunately not all marinas are this up to date.

Perhaps I shouldn't be concerned?
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The damned stuff is that emasculated nowadays that I suspect it wont harm a fly!
Copper oxide and a water soluble matrix?
S
 
skipper_stu said:
The damned stuff is that emasculated nowadays that I suspect it wont harm a fly!
Copper oxide and a water soluble matrix?
S
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With you there. Our dog loves haul out areas, eating the cr*p jet washed off. Particularly loves antifoul fed barnacles, even goes back to laid up dinghys that have dried up, antifouled, barnacles on the bottom, bugg*rs not dead yet!
 
Thead drift but hey ho! Reminds me that last winter we were walking along a wave lapped eastern UK beach when a squid maybe 300 mm long was washed up live. Before I could point it out to my wife, two steps behind, the blo*dy dog, no more than 500mm long, had scoffed it it one gulp! Loves his seafood.
 
Marine Reflections said:
And when the water evaporates?
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I tend to hose my mess away when finished.

Even with a fresh breeze round the marina (assuming the rain hasn't dealt with it first, it is still much less likely to be breathing in the dust from the floor than sombody distrubuting it with an electric sander. It may well also be that using a mesh keeps the partical size up compared with a dry sander. Much of it also ends up in the bucket used when keeping the mesh clean.

I took a particularly dim view of it this year as 3 boats around me used electric sanders whilst I was trying to lay several layers of paint and varnish, 8 feet up from ground level. Not just irritating, but also reminded me what I was being forced to breath in.
 
Hadenough said:
But how exactly? And here I am considering a PBOwner pursuing their pastime in a typical environment?
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I apologise, my last comment may have come across as flippant, it was not intended this way. This is a massive subject with many variables, my reply could fill a book.


Could you be a little more specific in your question, so that I can zero in a little on how you would like me to help?

Happy to explain every aspect of how I personally approach things, even if they are considered pedantic or over cautious.

I have antifouled probably over a thousand boats, during which, my respect for the handling of this toxic material has increased.

Simply put, it is to be as safe as I possibly can and offer as much respect as the situation demands when dealing with every aspect, application, preparation and disposal.
 
Pye_End said:
I tend to hose my mess away when finished.

Even with a fresh breeze round the marina (assuming the rain hasn't dealt with it first, it is still much less likely to be breathing in the dust from the floor than sombody distrubuting it with an electric sander. It may well also be that using a mesh keeps the partical size up compared with a dry sander. Much of it also ends up in the bucket used when keeping the mesh clean.

I took a particularly dim view of it this year as 3 boats around me used electric sanders whilst I was trying to lay several layers of paint and varnish, 8 feet up from ground level. Not just irritating, but also reminded me what I was being forced to breath in.
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Absolutely!

I was performing some colour matched gel coat repairs a few months ago, the gel was flow (so wax added) and was open to the elements.

Went to lunch and came back to all the repairs having been peppered with blue antifouling.

Grrr
 
How can I be more specific? If we are to learn from you, how would you, in a typical marina / boatyard environment clean, prepare, treat, dispose of materials / waste, antifoul?
 
Marine Reflections said:
I apologise, my last comment may have come across as flippant, it was not intended this way. This is a massive subject with many variables, my reply could fill a book.


Could you be a little more specific in your question, so that I can zero in a little on how you would like me to help?

Happy to explain every aspect of how I personally approach things, even if they are considered pedantic or over cautious.

I have antifouled probably over a thousand boats, during which, my respect for the handling of this toxic material has increased.

Simply put, it is to be as safe as I possibly can and offer as much respect as the situation demands when dealing with every aspect, application, preparation and disposal.
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So you've antifouled a thousand boats, no doubt causing untold death and destruction to millions of marine organisms, and you've got the brass neck to come on here and criticise us leisure boat owners, who maybe do it once a year.
 
Hadenough said:
How can I be more specific? If we are to learn from you, how would you, in a typical marina / boatyard environment clean, prepare, treat, dispose of materials / waste, antifoul?
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I suspect that your question isn't sincere and that you are hoping that in some way I will describe a technique that you can further nit pick at your leisure.

I am not trying to teach you anything. You are probably doing everything just fine, so I wouldn't worry about it. Your safety and the safety of others around you shouldn't be of concern to me, I'm sorry! What was I thinking.

Antifouling is as others have suggested, is probably not toxic, so ignore my concern.

On that basis I suggest the following:

Preparation:

Wait for a windy day, preferably a weekend when others around you are trying to paint or varnish.

Lie on your back wearing only your blue garage overalls, no mask, no gloves and no eye protection.

Using a B&Q palm sander recently purchased specifically for the job in hand, proceed to lose yourself in a cloud of (non-toxic) dust for several days. Don't concern yourself with the glaring looks you are getting from nearby owners, they are probably just jealous at the progress you are making.

Stop every few hours to use the marina facilities to wash the dust from your face, teeth and hair and smoke a cigarette.

When you are finished, don't worry about the blue coloured hard standing beneath your boat, the rain and wind will take care of that.

Get some cheap masking tape (the other stuff is of little benefit) and proceed to mask the waterline one inch at a time so the line is suitably 'wobbly'.

Application:

Whatever you do don't stir the tin of antifouling, apply it as thin as possible, you will be left with most of the product in the bottom of the tin and will be quite thick, but this is ok as it will serve quite well as a filler for all highs and lows towards the end.

If you pay more than 20p for a roller you are being ripped off!, I find an old wooly sock gives the same rough textured finish you are after and leaves enough wool covered antifoul bits on there for next seasons sanding fun.

If you are rolling, I wouldn't use an extension for it as these are a waste of time. I suggest you again lie under the boat as before and allow it to cover your face in tiny dots of antifouling, I know, it's fun picking those off and don't forget it's not toxic, so don't worry about looking like a smurf.

I know it smells a bit so the particles are already in your lungs, but hey don't worry, have a smoke and you won't notice it.

Once done leave the masking tape on for several days for a sharp line, it did say exterior masking tape right? Okay, great well you shouldn't have too much of a problem removing it.

It took me thirty years to learn that so enjoy :)
 
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NormanS said:
So you've antifouled a thousand boats, no doubt causing untold death and destruction to millions of marine organisms, and you've got the brass neck to come on here and criticise us leisure boat owners, who maybe do it once a year.
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I think it was a thousand boats that were going to be antifouled regardless of who performed it? But nice try.
 
Ok folks, look, I am no expert here, in fact I consider myself to still be learning, even after many years in the marine trade.
He who knows everything, will learn nothing.


My intention is certainly not to criticise.

I can assure you, antifouling IS toxic.

Please, do not dry sand without an extraction unit of some kind.

If you do scrape or wet sand, clean up your mess, the rain and wind is no substitute.

Please do protect yourselves from exposure, your skin, your eyes need protecting, as do your lungs.

And finally please consider others around you that are not prepared protection wise as you are for the dust.
 
Marine Reflections said:
I suspect that your question isn't sincere and that you are hoping that in some way I will describe a technique that you can further nit pick at your leisure.

I am not trying to teach you anything. You are probably doing everything just fine, so I wouldn't worry about it. Your safety and the safety of others around you shouldn't be of concern to me, I'm sorry! What was I thinking.

Antifouling is as others have suggested, is probably not toxic, so ignore my concern.

On that basis I suggest the following:

Preparation:

Snip...

It took me thirty years to learn that so enjoy :)
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You overlooked parking you car next to the boat so any splashes of anti-fouling end up on the paintwork (don't' ask :rolleyes:)
 
I wrote an article which was published in PBO re sanding.
I took a 4 metre length of 2" X 2" & fitted 2 bits of metal strap to one end to form a fork. I then drilled this to take 2 bolts that went through the handle holes of a random orbit sander so the the sander was allowed to swivel.
I then found the centre of balance of the pole & sander & fitted a small block & tackle. To the opposite end of the block & tackle I fitted a length of metal strap with the end bent over to form a hook. the metal strap was to allow me to reach the gunwhale & hook it on to take the weight of the device. The block & tackle allowed me to adjust the height of the timber arm.
This meant I could stand 4 metres away from the sander & by pushing down on the pole & swinging it about I could push the sander upwards against the underside of the hull.

Worked very well for 4 years until i applied Copper coat

As for those around me - I did it mid week when there was no one about to annoy

As for the environment-- the planet will see me out I am sure
 
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