Slurry blasting - clyde?

[alisdair4]

Having just tried, and failed, to get the myriad layers of antifouling off Midnight Drifter's hull, I gave up and slapped on undercoat and 2 coats of antifouling. However, similar threads here got me to thinking that I should really get "back to basics". We come back to the Clyde in 2014 - has anyone used a firm in the West of Scotland to remove A/F either by slurry blasting or similar technique? And, of course, how expensive is it?

A related question is: does this process have any effect on the topsides? The reason for this question is, that during the forthcoming winter (13-14) I will have the boat in a large shed, and may well want to bite the bullet and re-do the topsides with two-pack paint of some sort. When I get back to Scotland, I will not have her in a shed. So I would, essentially, be doing things slightly backwards - do I run the risk of messing up the topsides paint job?

 

[Deleted member 36384]

Soda Blast Scotland http://www.sodablastscotland.com/about-us/ My 41' Rival was estimated at £1000 plus VAT

Argyle Blasting Services info@argyllblastservices.com £600 plus vat. They use the Farrow system but with crushed glass type material, I think.

All prices are as quoted last autumn, both companies will travel to Clyde marinas of course.

I didnt go ahead becuase I will be hauling the yacht to my home for a major refit at some point and will do the hull then.

I would happy to use both services as far as my research is concerned. Soda blasting will leave the surface as it came out the mould (minus lifetime dings and dents more or less), slurry will leave a very fine, very light surface roughness - think fine wet and dry type finish.

The processes will have no effect on your topsides as the impact point can be controlled with a high degree of accuracy. Normally about 1" of antifouling/lower boot top is left so you don't lose the water line. If I had a new top side paint job, I would sheet of the topsides with plastic taped over to protect it.

 

[alisdair4]

Ok, thanks for the info.

 

[gavin400]

Marine Blast at Holy Loch Marina - I think they have a mobile service

Excellent service