Anti-fouling paint removal...the easy way.

[LakerRider]

I have a 18' boat that has anti-fouling paint on it. The paint has begun to flake off in areas and I'd like to totally remove it.
First question: What is the anti-fouling paint for? Is it used just for saltwater applications as I only use my boat in freshwater and trailer it each time. Do I really need it?
Second queston:
I've used a razor blade to carfully remove some of it. Using the razor blade just removes the anitfouling paint and does not damage the original gel coat underneath it. Whoever put the anti-fouling paint on did not use a good primer....to my advantage! Can you please recommend a paint remover, stripper or solvent to help remove just the anti-fouling paint and not damage the under coating?

 

[jwellcraft]

Re: Anti-fouling paint removal...the easy way.

If your boat is trailered then you don't really need the anti-foul bottom paint. It is applied to boat bottoms when boats are kept in the water all the time to stop bottom staining and sea growth. A good stripper is Interlux Interstrip 299E, its like a gel that you can apply with a brush and it softens up the anti-foul paint pretty quick. After as little as 15 mins it blister the paint and you can either scrap it off then or use a pressure washer but set the tip to kind of a wide band not the needle piercing tip. It is safe on gel coats so you don't have to worry about it harming that as you add coats and its not strong in scent so if you are in a well ventilated area you are fine.

 

[LakerRider]

Re: Anti-fouling paint removal...the easy way.

Thanks for the info!

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Anti-fouling paint removal...the easy way.

Using a razor blade is the same method used on corvettes