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During a recent haul-out
I noticed a patch of flaking antifouling paint on the otherwise clean
bottom of my boat. What could have caused this, and what can I do to fix
it? T.P., via e-mail
Most
likely it’s due to inadequate surface preparation; some contaminant—grease,
oil, or residue of some sort—was not removed before painting began.
First remove all flaking
paint. I suggest using a flexible plastic paint scraper instead of a metal
one to make sure you don’t scratch or gouge the fiberglass. A few
criss-crossing strokes over the area should remove most of it. Next sand
the patch with 80-grit sandpaper to get any remaining flakes, making sure
you go about two inches beyond the perimeter of the affected area. Then
wipe down the area with a clean rag and paint thinner to remove any sanding
residue. To determine if there’s any contaminant present, pour a
bucket of water over the area. If it beads instead of sheeting, you need
to sand some more. Once the surface is clean and dry, apply two coats
of bottom paint.
I’ve got some
rather stubborn stains on several of my fenders. I was thinking of using
acetone to get them off. Is this a good solution? B.W., via e-mail
While
the acetone may get the stains off, it will break down the plastic and
leave the surface of the fender sticky or tacky, which will compound your
staining problem and shorten the life of your fenders.
You’re better
off using a product designed specifically for this purpose. I’ve
had good results with products such as Star brite’s fender cleaner,
a good-quality hand-held scrub brush, and some arm power. Once you’ve
got the fenders clean, keep them that way with a quick cleaning at the
first sign of staining.
Need help with a
maintenance problem? Write to Maintenance Q & A, Power
& Motoryacht, 260 Madison Ave., 8th Fl., New York, NY 10016.
Fax: (917) 256-2282. e-mail: ken_kreisler@primediamags.com. No phone calls,
please.
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