My Coppercoat is over 10 years old and no longer effective.

I don’t want to renew it so I am looking at traditional antifoul over the top.

Can you advise if after cleaning and surface abrasion I need to apply a primer or can the antifoul go straight on top?

Eric Robertson

Richard Jerram replies:

An epoxy primer will be required on the Coppercoat before overcoating with a traditional antifouling.

However, preparation is very important to achieve good adhesion between the primer and the Coppercoat.

The surface must be abraded heavily with a 40- to 80-grit abrasive paper to obtain a good surface profile to allow the primer to grip – there’ll not be a chemical bond between the two, only mechanical.

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After abrasion the surface should be thoroughly washed down to remove all sanding debris.

I’d recommend the first application of antifouling is a non-eroding type rather than eroding as this will avoid exposing the primer over the season.

The following season an eroding antifouling can be adopted.

Personal respiratory protection must be worn as copper dust will be generated when abrading.

Enjoyed reading Overcoating Coppercoat antifouling?

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