Nauteco Performance Antifouling is a really easy-to-use antifoul that is fully compatible with most previously antifouled surfaces, without needing a barrier coat and is excellent for hulls made of GRP or fibreglass, wood, concrete and steel.

It is not recommended for aluminium hulls or outboard drive legs without prior professional treatment using at least 2/3 coats of Nauteco Two Pack Epoxy Primer 41.

If you are suspicious of the type of previous antifoul coat or the manufacturer states that the old antifoul is incompatible with other antifouling paints, then you may consider using Nauteco Isolator as a barrier coat, followed by a coat of Nauteco Antifoul Primer.

As always, it’s the preparation that matters if you are to end up with an effective finish. If you are simply re-coating a previously antifouled hull, it’s not that difficult or time consuming. You may use up to 10% appropriate Nauteco Antifouling Thinners but this should not normally be necessary - unless you are lucky enough to be painting on a very hot sunny or windy day.

Nauteco Performance Antifouling is an effective micro-biological antifoul that inhibits the attachment of marine growth and offers a slippery micro-surface which, once the boat moves through the water, sheds any growth that might attach to your boat while on its mooring for any extended period.

It is not necessary to build up thick coats and depending on your mooring environment, it should be effective for more than one season. Nauteco Performance antifoul is suitable for all craft up to 40 knots. Antifoul is best applied up to a few weeks before going back in the water but it may be applied over winter without losing its effectiveness.

There may be a slight colour change when immersed but this is normal and not significant.

Tools required

Most of these can be delivered along with the paint from our website.

• Masking tape to cover the plimsoll line and areas not to be painted, such as anodes
• Hand scraper to remove loose or flaking old paint
• 6” wide brush or roller and a small 1” brush and/or paint roller and tray – use a mohair or foam roller
• Scotchbrite pad or medium grade sanding paper
• A stick to thoroughly stir the paint – it should not be necessary to use an electric stirrer
• Clingfilm to cover brushes or roller while you pause to admire your work
• Kitchen roll for spills
• Pair of cloth gloves (not rubber and a pair of overalls so the wife/partner does not give you hell for ruining a perfectly good pair of jeans and shirt
• Face mask if sanding/scraping larger areas of old antifoul
• Hand wipes to clean off any skin stains
• Flask of hot coffee

Products required for fibreglass/GRP/wood

• Nauteco Performance Antifouling in any of the standard colours and available in 1 litre, 2.5 litres or 5 litres sizes. A litre of antifoul covers 10 sq.metres. As an approximate guide, a 30 ft medium keel sailboat will need 2 tins of 2.5 litres, enough for two coats, or a 30 ft motorboat with planing hull, one tin of 2.5 litres for two coats.
• Nauteco Antifoul Primer for touching in areas exposed by flaking old paint and providing a sound base for new antifoul. (Tip: if you are applying Nauteco Performance Fluorescent antifoul to keel or rudder, this is best applied over a white base to produce the optimum fluorescent effect using either white Performance Antifoul or white Antifoul Primer as the base coat)
• Or Nauteco Two Pack Epoxy Primer 41 if you want to restore the integrity of the hull protective coating, having removed all old antifoul paint coats.(Tip: if there are deep scratches that go through the gel coat or expose the fibre matting, then you should have the affected area repaired professionally.
• Nauteco PrepClean for wiping down the hull to remove any grease, oil etc.
• Nauteco Isolator if you are unsure of the old antifoul coating.
• Nauteco Coach Enamel Topcoat if required, for painting/refreshing plimsoll/boot-top line.
  Tip: as with all paints, try to avoid using up or mixing in last year’s left-overs and avoid buying discounted paint from last season – all Nauteco paint tins carry a packaging date.
  

Method

Read and follow the Safety and instruction guides printed on the tin (see website for Product and Safety Data sheets etc.. Wear protective clothing and a mask if sanding/scraping old antifoul.

Pressure wash the whole hull thoroughly to remove any accumulated marine growth when lifted out.

Rub down the surface with a Scotchbrite pad or sandpaper to remove as much dried marine growth as is reasonable, especially along the water line.

Scrape off any loose or flaking old antifoul paint and harder crustacean growth.
Tip: check the hull surface visually for any signs of blistering or damage needing Epoxy filling or repair.

If you are planning to remove old antifoul paint layers, use Nauteco Gunwash but only with protective clothing and in a well ventilated area, disposing of waste safely.

Where old antifoul has flaked off, scrape this area to remove back to a sound surface, feather the edges with sandpaper and apply Nauteco Antifoul Primer.

Use Nauteco PrepClean to de-grease if there is any grease or diesel residue present.

Allow the hull to dry completely and try to choose a dry day to apply.

Run masking tape along the hull to protect the plimsoll paint line, anodes and through hull fittings.
Tip: push an old rag into engine and cockpit drain outlets etc. to stop water runs.

Thoroughly stir the tin of antifoul and regularly stir contents while tin is open – antifoul paint contains a lot of solids that need to be thoroughly mixed.
Tip: mohair rollers are recommended but if you use a foam roller, change the foam for each side of the hull and between coats – antifoul solvents break down foam.

Paint first coat of antifoul, starting with a brush for the line along the masking tape and apply over the main painted area with a roller brush.
Tip: line your paint tray with a plastic pedal bin bag so that you can reuse the tray.

Work steadily and avoid over application or trying to apply too thick a layer. Don’t forget to apply to the underside of the keel and avoid painting over anodes and through hull fittings such as inlet valves and log/depth fittings.
Tip: use an extending pole for your paint roller to save your knees and back from kneeling on the ground under the hull.

Allow first coat to dry for 1 hour or until touch dry – longer if it’s a cold or wet atmosphere. Apply second coat as before but expect this to be easier and quicker. Again, avoid over application. Brush an additional coat of paint over the leading edges of bow, keel and rudder.
Tip: use cling film to keep brushes/roller moist when waiting between coats.

Peel off the masking tape when touch-dry, and remove the cloths from any drains or exhaust outlets.

Dispose of used paint tins, brushes and cleaning materials in special bins provided at boatyards or your local recycling centre.

Keep some antifoul for touching up behind pit props or cradle supports.
Tip: arrange for an overnight hold in the yard hoist to allow time for any touching in.

Allow antifoul to thoroughly dry, preferably overnight (or minimum 4-6 hours at 20 degrees C before putting the boat back in the water.

Retire to the nearest hostelry and toast to a new seasons’ happy, weed free and ecologically friendly sailing with Nauteco Performance Antifouling.

© Nauteco 2008