Cleaning surface prior to Gelshield 200

[mrming]

We're getting ready to apply Gelshield 200 to our keel and hull.

The product datasheet says to clean the surface with International Super Cleaner first.

I can't get hold of any of that at short notice. Can anyone advise what's in it or recommend a suitable alternative?

 

[[2574]]

We used International No.7, see here: http://www.boatpaint.co.uk/acatalog/International-No-7-Thinners.html

Two photos which illustrate the cleaning process:

cleaning the rudder: https://www.dropbox.com/s/6k6n35fnf6ux8v7/Clean rudder.jpg

and a back to original epoxy hull prior to Gelshield: https://www.dropbox.com/s/hn38vm2vdc6mah8/clean hull.jpg

We were very pleased with the final result from the product.

 

[vyv_cox]

Looking at the data sheet for Super Cleaner is not very helpful, they give no chemical info at all. However, it is water soluble, needing only a few capfuls in a bucket of water, suggesting that it might be a detergent of some sort. Maybe one of those triple distilled citrus types?

I don't recall cleaning my hull with anything very special when we Gelshielded it, definitely did not use Super Cleaner. It's still on there after around 15 years. I suspect it may well have been acetone, after months of sanding to remove all the old antifouling.

 

[mrming]

Okay thanks - I'll give some detergent a try first I think!

 

[Pasarell]

It is a detergent. Not sure what type but that is not really important. You need to wash with detergent and hot water then rinse thoroughly with fresh water to get rid of any residues. After that wipe down with a solvent and clean cloth. If you are sanding it is best to do this process both before and after sanding.

 

[GrahamM376]

I pressure washed to remove dust and then when dry wiped down with acetone - used a 5L can as it evaporates quickly off rags.