Gelcoat or anti-foul

[Dimond]

I bought a 1978, 26' mirage last july and I've just cleaned the hull of about 10 years of antifoul, I'm now down to the last, the thinest and the hardest coat. I was advised to clean it back to the original gelcoat, then re-gelcoat it with three coats, then anti-foul it. I have so far spent about 4 days with a scraper and I'm still not down to the original gelcoat. Am I wasting my time and should I just antifoul it or should I continue to finish my original plan. Is there an easier way. You're comments are all welcome.

 

[chrisb]

what type of scraper are you using. there is a pro type with renewable blade two handed job which is very effective. remember the stuff is very toxic

 

[tyce]

why would you want to re gel coat it, are you sure he didnt mean apply epoxy, and as for 3 coats it is best to follow the manufacturers advice, rather than some one in the boat club, especially when he is telling you to re- gel coat!!

 

[tamarind]

You are right, it is a long labourious job but you have done the worst of it. There are lots of scrapers on the market, I use the two handed one with changable blades. Be carefull not to dig into the gelcoat but remove the last coat of antifoul. If you are going to epoxy the hull, it is a specialist process and not cheap. I would prime the hull with a couple of coats of International promocol, then a couple of coats of antifoul. It will look good when done!

 

[Avocet]

Why did he tell you to to re-gel? Does it have blisters? If so, as has been said, epoxy is much better but typically the manufacturer recommends 6 coats - and then only after the blisters (and underlying cause) have been treated properly. Even if done properly as a DIY proposition I'd be a bit wary without professional help - especially in this weather! If, on the other hand, you don't have blisters, I'd be inclined to ask a surveyor to cast an eye (and maybe a moisture meter) over it first. Depending on what he says, you might find it's not worth doing.