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Post by Tony on Feb 26, 2011 8:40:50 GMT
Does anyone have any experience of blastcleaning for antifoul removal? There seem to be different systems out there. Some using volcanic ash, some using sand, and some adding heat.
Any recommendations for a company in the East of England?
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Post by Gordon on Mar 25, 2011 11:54:06 GMT
Tony, I've been wondering exactly the same thing. For the first three years of ownership I had no problem with antifoul flaking. I now have "craters" here and there and an increasingly uneven surface. I have used an eroding antifoul, which has kept the boat very clean but I know that others (Peter) use a hard antifoul, perhaps partly because they are on drying moorings ? Hopefully others will respond with some suggestions.
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Post by Tony on Mar 25, 2011 16:59:35 GMT
Gypsy Roma had years of antifoul on her hull. The surveyor thought he'd found some evidence of crazing in the gelcoat when he scraped some away and advised having the whole lot off. I didn't trust myself to remove it without doing more damage to the gelcoat (didn't fancy the job either) so the boatyard suggested blasting. Quotes varied a lot. In the end I paid £318 with a local company called BlastGreen. They did a terrific job. A low-pressure wet blast with some fine volcanic ash. I'll get a photo and post it in the next day or two. The only downside is that I now have four large bags of dust and antifoul which the tip won't accept until they declare an amnesty in the autumn. The gel coat turned out to be fine except for a chip in the keel which is due to be repaired next week.
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Post by Tony on Apr 4, 2011 13:59:39 GMT
 The hull after its blast clean |
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Post by neil thompson on Apr 21, 2012 23:17:24 GMT
Blast cleaning a great way of removing years of antifoul, although I would recommend wet blasting as it is kinder to the gelcoat.
I would also stress that it is important that you should epoxy coat the hull after this process. The aggressive blast cleaning removes a thin layer of the gelcoat and in some cases can leave pin holes. an untreated hull could lead to future problems with osmoses.
Neil.
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