Removing Antifoul

[Jim44]

I am looking at buying a used sportboat, around 25ft to trailer, some boats that I have been looking at have been antifouled. Is it possible to remove antifoul and what does it look like after you have, will I ever get it to look the same as if it had never been done?

Also if I have to keep the boat antifouled on the trailer will this cause any problems?

Thanks

James

 

[thefatlady]

Antifoul is messy but easy to remove. I use acetone (and before someone pipes up, it does no harm to the gelcoat).

It will come off cleanly. If your hull has not been abraded, you should get back to nice polished gelcoat.

You can keep it antifouled wihout problems, but if you go back to polished gelcoat, your boat will go faster.

 

[Major Catastrophe]

I used acetone to remove enough antifoul to apply a Keel Guard. Acetone does not 'attack' gelcoat, but will 'eat' your rubber gloves eventually, so make sure you have a good supply of heavy duty gloves as you don't want acetone on your hands.

Always use eye protection and a mask applying the acetone downwind so's not to breath it in. For one or two layers of AF, it is quite quick.

I think you will find that most hulls have been abraded prior to application of primer and AF.

You can happily trail an AF's boat and once a season you may have to touch up the small areas where the trailer rollers rub it.

 

[thefatlady]

I seem to remember that nitrile rubber gloves are OK. Latex ones are useless.

I have done three complete hulls from 21 to 34 ft and none was abraded.

 

[Jim44]

Thanks for the advise, one of the boats I am looking at was first antifouled by Prossers in Scotland, anybody know if they would have abraded the hull?

If not I think it will just keep up with the anitfoul.