Stripping Antifoul?

[HoveRuss]

I've tried finding the definitive answer but not had any joy - I've no doubt this has been asked before.

I've got a Ribtec 585 which has been very well undersealed, from new - approx 3 years ago, it looks like it was well keyed and a good quality anti-foul has been used.

But now it looks scummy and its rough, slows her down and i don't have any plans to leave her in the water, so it may as well come off.

Can anyone suggest the best way to remove it? Does a high pressure washer do the job? Is there a jollop of some sort which works well?

Any advice welcomed before I spend a load of unneccessary time and effort doing it the wrong way!

Russ

[JSP]

It's a pain in the backside, and if it's got allot of growth on it, it's even harder.
My brothers boat was moored in the river seiont next to carnarvon castle for a few years. Even after a blast through the swellies and up into dickies yard to be lifted, it was still very bad.
We found scraping/knocking any growth off first, then use a jetwash and then if all else fails try buffing it off. But watch out when buffing as it's very easy to go to far with it.

[Tim M]

Get a decent scraper and start off with that. Once you've got all the major stuff off hire a high power hot pressure washer and give it a blast with that. That should leave you with a decent surface. You could then either sand and repaint, or strip it back. Stripping it totally off as has been said is going to be a complete pain. I did it on a 3m RIB once and it took ages! With the 3m it was easy as I could flip it over and work on the hull but with your rib its going to be even harder with it on a trailer. Once you've got it all off you'll need to abrade it to very smooth and then compound and polish it. If I were you I'd just re-antifoul!

[bedajim]

Hand scraper, sand, prime and paint and wait 2 weeks for it to harden off

[JABS]

Hi,

We had exactly the same issue on a Ribcraft 585. In the end it was sand blasted off and polished. I also had the imperfections filled and polished.

It was expensive, but the hull is as new.

Since we dry stack, I cringed every time I saw it lifted.

Well worth the money in my book.

We used Hayling Yacht Sevices who did it on time and on budget.

pm me if you want more info.

[Mollers]

My last rib was a/fouled. Rather than go to all of that effort, i'd do a nice job of re-antifouling it. Use International interspeed, mask it carefully and apply with a gloss roller. It'll look ok and if you should give it a scratch, it's a doddle to sort it.

[gtflash]

I recently used internationals remover! I did the transom face only, had probably 3 or 4 layers on it and the top layer was very flakey!

It took me about 2-3 hours and i ended up finishing off with acetone! But i used over half a 25quid pot and found it was easy to catch the edges and chine lines. Good finish though!

To do my hull would have cost a fortune and i think my arms would have looked like arny and my nose like daniella westbrook!

While in a petrol station i saw a company called anti foul removal company! I asked the guy and he said they charge £15 a foot if i remember correct! SO if ya want a pro job it would probably cost in against the international gloop!

[Mollers]

Originally Posted by gtflash

I recently used internationals remover! I did the transom face only, had probably 3 or 4 layers on it and the top layer was very flakey!

It took me about 2-3 hours and i ended up finishing off with acetone! But i used over half a 25quid pot and found it was easy to catch the edges and chine lines. Good finish though!

To do my hull would have cost a fortune and i think my arms would have looked like arny and my nose like daniella westbrook!

While in a petrol station i saw a company called anti foul removal company! I asked the guy and he said they charge £15 a foot if i remember correct! SO if ya want a pro job it would probably cost in against the international gloop!

The prob is that if the a/foul was properly applied the hull would have been keyed with abrasive paper. A coat of primer, then the a/fouling, so removing all of that isn't ever going to get back to a shiney 'as new' gelcoat finish.
Unless one goes in for hours of filling sanding and polishing.

Antifouling removers are to remove the 'build-up' of layers to get back to the hull for a fresh coat. Too many layers over seasons causes flaking.

[HoveRuss]

So i guess my best bet would be to use pressure washers and elbow grease to get the old stuff off and make a nice job of repainting it with a decent anti foul.

Devils brew, once its on, you're committed for life!

[Mollers]

Originally Posted by HoveRuss

So i guess my best bet would be to use pressure washers and elbow grease to get the old stuff off and make a nice job of repainting it with a decent anti foul.

Devils brew, once its on, you're committed for life!

Yep, that's about it in my view.