Removing aquacote foul release coating

doctormilner

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3 years ago I had my yacht coated with aquacote ( non biocide silicone /Teflon to last up to 5 years)which hasn’t worked for me, and in my opinion can only work if you do over 20knots and use the boat every few days.What has worked is its adhesion to my boat, however I want to remove it. Before going bust the UK agent said to the company that did my boat that it could be removed with a commercial steam cleaner. Grit blasting is a second option which should hopefully stop at the 5 coats of Osmo shield epoxy applied beneath it. Finally in the last few months Hempel have launched Silicone remover 99450, I can find very little about this product, but know from past experience with anti fouling strippers it is likely to be exceedingly unpleasant and messy and works out quite expensive. Mind you none of these options will be cheap Anyone with experience of removing this or similar products like Hempel Silic one? I’d love to hear from you
 
im looking to remove mine, possibly this year, as it is coming to the end of its design life. It has worked well for me, although most of the time im in freshwater and any slime just rubs off.
i too was told a hot water steam cleaner would remove it.
obviously the newer replacements arent going to guarantee adhesion, whereas the aquacote I was led to believe could be recoated.
so what will remove silicone which should be bonded to the final vinyl epoxy coat?
 
I have the ex aquacote Jersey C.I. Agent Looking for there sample board or they have offered to give me some product so I can try apply and then try a steam cleaner on it. If steam cleaning works its probably the best. I have just heard that an azimuth is having it grit blasted off in a few weeks so `I will make sure i’m there to see that. If you are still interested in a foul release coating Hempel are claiming ‘up to 90 months for silic 1 I believe.
 
Update : got aquacote sample and tried commercial steam cleaner which removed silicone slowly with turbo lance but cold water petrol washer v high pressure with turbo lance was faster. Hempel have got back to me with limited info on their new silicone remover no facts on coverage etc but price £265 for 5 liters which makes it expensive and messy and time consuming. Awaiting grit blasting result.
 
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