Removing fouling on anti foul, by hand, best tool ?

richardsussex said:
Will soon be doing removal of antifoul for the first time (seven years' worth to remove). Do I read this correctly that if using the palm sander and sandpaper method mentioned above, I should wet the hull while sanding? I am sure that I have seen boatyards using dry sanding disks to get the hull down to the an "eggshell" finish referred to in another pst.

Just seems to me that grit disks for a palm sander will go soggy if wet.....
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I removed all the antifoul from my boat a couple of years ago and tried just about everything and to be honest the most unsuccessful method was sanding. Although a thankless and backbreaking job a long handled scraper proved to be the best method.
 
Air driven DA sander fitted with a coarse floor sanding "scotchbrite" pad cut to fit the DA pad - glue the sanding pad onto the DA pad (hotmelt glue in an old frying pan) - keep a slow stream of water flowing over the area you are removing the antifoul from and away one goes. By far the easiest and quickest method I have forund to DIY removal short of hiring soda blasting gear. One pad does a 40' hull easily though I keep a couple of spare pads incase of the HMG failing. HAng a tarp over the guard rails and down to ground level as the antifoul slurry gets thrown off the edge of the pad and can travel some distance and one would not want to upset folk nearby.
 
Very concerned on the content of this thread. Any sort of dust produced by antifoul is very dangerous.
In 2004 I renovated a ketch, and another owner was sanding down his antifoul. I advised him against sanding which he ignored. Four years later I met him in the street and he had what what appeared to be breathing problems like asbestosis. His consultant diagnosed it to be the toxic effect of the antifoul dust in his lungs, and sadly he died 18 month later .

I pay for the antifoul to be stripped professionally using slurry. Failing that I suggest using an electric scraper, which does not produce much dust.

In any event use proper masks, disposable overalls, and treat antifoul with the same respect you would do with asbestos
 
lpdsn said:
Cruising antifoul? Heavy duty scrubbing pads and water to keep the hull wet. Don't do it in the water as you'll have no anti-foul left pretty soon.
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I can confirm that scrubbing in the water does take off the a/f. But that is inevitable. I just use the softest material that will get rid of the fouling up to the extreme of wet and dry sand paper.
It makes it easy when it comes to repainting.
Back to the OPs question. Use whatever is necessary. I have found a bricklayers bolster ideal for really heavy barnacle encrustation. It has the mass to smash through the shells. (wear tough gloves) I have also used a dutch hoe on along handle. But my guess is that OP question is more about minor fouling. I like scotch bright scouring pads best. But you must do the cleaning when it is still wet. Or use a hose to get it wet before cleaning. A broom might do the job at least you can stand back from the mess.
Most poeople however use a high pressure washer as soon as she comes out that will usually do the job quickly and easily. good luck olewill
 
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