Anti-fouling paint, which is also known as the bottom paint, is actually a particular coating applied to a particular part of a ship or yacht in order to slow down the growth rate of sub aquatic creatures, which are found in hull and may affect the performance and resilience of the vessel. The hull coatings have some other functions besides their anti-fouling features, for example, it acts as the barrier against rust on the metal hulls.
Antifouling paint is available mainly in two basic categories – hard paints and soft paints. The hard paint is intended for speedy motorboats as well as racing cruisers where it will be knocked at a very high pace for several hours on end. Again, the softer anti-fouling is designed for slower ships, and are intended to gently wear away during the season. Both these types are made to attach to the hull, and proper care is taken to avoid the damage. However, when the paint begins to get crumbled, or become worse, you need to think of the process of quality antifoul removal so that a new paint can be applied.
Here, some steps are mentioned as you need to cover all these while doing the project of anti-foul removal.
Health and security-
Prior to starting preparatory work, make sure that the part with which you are dealing effectively ventilated. You should also ensure that you are carrying the proper PPE. Besides, it is also better to make use of the safety spectacles or goggles, nitrile rubber hand gloves, along with a solvent mask and a respirator.
Preparation-
Take high pressure water wash in order to eliminate loose antifouling paint. You have to make certain that all the deposits as well as wash water are controlled or disposed of as per the local legislation. Then, mask off the parts to be stripped.
Applying Interstrip-
Use Interstrip substantially, with the help of an old brush, according to the application strategy mentioned on the label of the product.
Leave the surface for sometime as the product requires time to work. However, the time required will differ on the basis of the temperature level and also the amount of previous antifouling item on the hull.
Eliminating the old antifouling-
Get rid of the old one while it is soft with a scraper. Here, Interstrip AF may remove a number of coats all at once; however, the heavy build up need more than a single application. The deposits must be disposed of and the fresh antifouling can be reapplied after priming the hull. Also, read here to gain knowledge about boat detailing and spray painting service to ensure that your boat stays in top condition.
So, follow these few steps to remove old anti fouling.