© Graco
ANALYSIS
How to Blast Fiberglass Hulls without Damaging the Gel Coat Stephan Rindlfeisch Graco Distribution BV – Maasmechelen, Belgium
stephan.rindfleisch@graco.com
Good maintenance is essential to extend the lifetime of a boat or a yacht. The hull in particular needs special care as it is continuously subjected to water, wind, and marine organisms. Frequent re-application of the protective coating guarantees the hull’s water resistance.
A
s well as the quality of work, efficiency is vital in the maintenance
organisms such as algae on the hull. This is important to decrease the
of boats. Removing the antifouling layer is a time-consuming and
water resistance and fuel consumption of the boat.
difficult part of the essential maintenance operations.
• Primer: under the antifouling paint there is a primer that improves the adhesion of the antifouling layer on the gel coat. It guarantees a
The different layers of a boat hull
strong chemical bond and avoids premature peeling and cracking of the
It is important to understand the different layers of a hull and what their
antifouling paint.
functions are:
• Gel coat: the gel coat is the first layer on the hull and protects the fibre.
• Paint = antifouling: the outer layer of a hull is the antifouling paint.
It is crucial that the gel coat does not become damaged. For a good
This coating ensures a smooth structure and minimizes the growth of
adhesion of the primer, the gel coat should have a rugged profile.
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N.36 - 2020 DECEMBER - ipcm® Protective Coatings