Depending on the need of the boat, one type of paint or another will be more appropriate. The types of paint that are most used are:
- SYNTHETICS: Resin-based paints containing drying oils. Normally its duration is very limited.
- CHLORINE-RUBBER: Based on chlorinated synthetic rubber, they last longer than the previous ones.
- BITUMINOUS: A base tars, they are black or dark and are used for submerged areas.
- EPOXY: Based on epoxy resins, these give great resistance to weathering and immersion.
- POLYURETHANES: Based on polyurethane resins, they are the ones that best preserve colour and shine and have a high resistance to weathering.
- ANTI-CRUSHERS: They are also known as “Antifouling”. They are formulated to be applied to the bottoms of ships and boats of all kinds: by brush, roller or gun. When drying they form a homogeneous film and well adhered to the substrate, once submerged, this paint softens, absorbs water and partially solubilizes, thus releasing the biologically active products that they contain and wrap the helmet in a mantle that prevents the fixation of the marine organisms
What are hard matrix antifoulings?
Hard matrix antifoulings absorb water while the soluble part of the resin disintegrates. It can be said that it leaves an insoluble structure like a rigid sponge and filled with water through which the active substances that prevent the encrustation of the helmet are dissolved (by diffusion).
They are very appropriate in medium and high speed boats. It is highly recommended a sanding before launching to leave the hull very smooth and clean the waterline that could be in that area.
After the application of the last layer, before launching, they can remain exposed to the air for three months.
What are the steps to paint a ship?
To paint a ship, specialists simply must follow certain steps, to make the task more effective:
– Removal of old paint and surface preparation: First of all, the existing paint on the ship must be examined and, if it is in poor condition (poor adhesion or cracking), it must be removed.
For this, the surface is first degreased and thoroughly cleaned before using mechanical methods of paint removal. (If sanded without cleaning, dirt can become embedded in the surface, and adhesion or blistering problems can occur). Degreasing should be done in a well-ventilated environment using clean, absorbent rags impregnated in degreaser.
– Sanding: The purpose of sanding is to eliminate inequalities and smooth the surface or remove layers of old paint. It is also necessary to provide mechanical anchoring (roughness) that improves paint adhesion. To obtain a good result, the surface to be painted must be dry, clean, free of grease and smooth, but not too polished. Dry sanding is preferable to remove old paint (except antifoulings, which must be removed by wet sanding). This provides better adhesion to the new coat of paint. An orbital sander is the most effective tool for the complete removal of old paint on wood and plywood.
– Choose the appropriate system: In the market, there is a wide range of products to meet the needs of each (gun, roller, and brush).
The painting is a key element in the maintenance of the boats that will help to tune up all the boats. Bottom painting is probably the most laborious of tasks but cleaning the hull, polishing and painting it will undoubtedly favour the performance of each boat.
Boat painting in Gold Coast from Pro Yacht will be hassle-free for you, with results that you don’t need to worry about.