Paint Type
Antifouling Paint
Antifouling paint is an underwater marine coating formulated to deter fouling organisms such as barnacles, weeds, and slime from attaching to a boat hull. Formulas include hard, ablative, polishing, copper-based, and copper-free systems, so the exact product must match the hull material and water conditions.
Antifouling paint compatibility
Antifouling paint works on properly prepared underwater fiberglass, wood, and metal when the selected product is approved for that substrate. Aluminum needs extra care because some copper-based antifouling paints can cause serious corrosion, while aluminum-approved copper-free or compatible copper-thiocyanate systems are available.
| Surface | Compatibility | Preparation | Primer or ground | Finish | Guide |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fiberglass | Excellent with antifouling paint approved for fiberglass hulls | Remove wax, contamination, fouling, and incompatible or failing coatings, then prepare the gelcoat or existing bottom paint as specified. | Use the barrier coat, tie coat, or antifouling primer required by the selected system; some compatible existing antifouling coatings can be recoated directly after preparation. | Hard, ablative, or polishing underwater finish depending on the product and expected service. | — |
| Wood | Excellent with antifouling systems approved for wooden hulls | Make sure the wood and any existing coating are sound, clean, dry enough for the system, and prepared to the manufacturer's requirements. | Use the wood sealer, underwater primer, or other specified base system before antifouling paint when required. | Protective underwater antifouling film; ablative and hard systems wear and renew differently in service. | — |
| Metal | Excellent when the antifouling formula and primer system are approved for the specific underwater metal | Remove corrosion, oxidation, grease, salts, and failing paint, then prepare the metal to the coating system's specified profile. | Proper underwater metal primer is normally critical for adhesion and corrosion control before antifouling paint. | Hard or ablative antifouling protection selected for the metal, water, wear, and fouling conditions. | — |
| Aluminum | Excellent only with an aluminum-approved antifouling system | Remove oxidation and contamination and prepare the aluminum promptly as directed so the primer system can protect the metal. | Use the exact aluminum-compatible primer system specified for the selected antifouling paint. | Use only an aluminum-safe antifouling formula; avoid products containing metallic copper or cuprous oxide unless the manufacturer explicitly identifies a different compatible chemistry and system. | — |
Sources: Interlux Fouling Control, Interlux ProGuard Ablative, Interlux Antifouling for Aluminum, Pettit Hydrocoat ECO, and TotalBoat Krypton.
Antifouling paint articles
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