Thread: Antifouling

gofor it

Hi tony,

generally if the primer is applied to the timber, you should be able to antifoul straight over primer - providing it has dried/met minimum re-coat times. I use Altex and they recommend 3 coats of primer (first thinned 50%) with turps then antifoul over the top. Are you using single pack paint on the topsides as well?

regards,

AD

I use international grey 'yacht primer' on raw wood, two to three coats (as needed) and then International (ablative) coppercoat antifoul straight over the top.

The grey yacht primer sticks like the proverbial to a blanket
great stuff. Just cover your hands in it (like I did) and see how long (or how much skin removal) it takes to get it off

If in doubt, just follow the recomendations for your product of choice...
what are these products by the way? and is this a new build or maintainence/repair?

and yes, what you are going to use for your topsides is probably an issue as well.
If you want a two pack paint for your topsides, then it would probably be worth going for a two pack primer over the whole hull (above and below the waterline) that is compatible with both your two pack topsides and your antifoul of choice...

My boat was one pack when it came to me, so one pack it stays. I just use good quality exterior house enamel on the topsides. In its 45 years living on the water, it has done my boat well (with of course an annual repaint).

If this is a new build, then you really need to figure out properly what system you want to go for. I would try out your local marine shops (plural- as in get second and third opinions) and talk about it and figure it out.
Two pack has its considerable advantages, but also costs more, is arguably more difficultdemanding to apply (spraying), and you usually get a hell of lot less choice in colour.

There is no problem brushing 2 pack paints. One the two parts are mixed together you have about 6 hours before the material goes hard in the tin. Its usually nicer to brush than normal enamel.