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12-Point
Blister Restoration Program
12-Point
Blister Restoration Program assures your vessel is restored to original
condition. After inspection has determined that your watercraft has a
large blistering problem, our restoration experts will restore your hull
using our proven method.
Step 1. Remove The Original Gelcoat
The gelcoat is entirely removed from the vessel's hull
below the waterline using laminate shaving equipment. We do this to
expose all of the hull structural laminates/fibers, un-dissolved
solvents, and to open up existing blister pockets/voids caused by the
osmosis problem.
Step 2. Steam Cleaning The Hull
We aggressively Steam-Clean the entire hull, below
the waterline. This dissolves and removes all un-dissolved
solvents/contaminates, now exposed on the laminate fibers. This is done
with hot water/steam equipment. This will eliminate all existing
Chemical type residues, causing the Osmotic problem. (Blistering of the
Hull).
Step 3. The Drying Out Period
It is extremely important to allow the hull to thoroughly
dry out after cleaning. To facilitate this process you Tent the
vessel with a heavy mil plastic to decrease the Dry Out Period. The
tenting is accomplished by fastening the plastic approximately 18 inches
above the waterline as well as laying-out plastic under the vessel and
existing blocking. you seal and secure all plastic ends to the ground
surfaces, and seal all loose vertical ends of the plastic tent material
with shrink wrap type tape. you make the tented area as air tight as
possible, creating a hermetically sealed environment.
Step 4. Moisture Level Monitoring Period
To further decrease this Dry Out Period. You install
commercial dehumidifiers as well as placing calcium chloride in shallow
pans on the ground surfaces inside the tented area, to absorb moisture.
After approximately 20 days, a moisture meter reading is taken of the
entire below waterline hull, The laminates must reach a minimum of 5-7
percent on a Sovergin Moisture Meter Scale A, for the barrier coat
system to be applied. If after the 20 day moisture test, the vessel
still needs drying time we replace the existing calcium chloride and
continue to do so every 20 days until the desired moisture reading is
obtained.
Step 5. Before Beginning The Repairs
Upon reaching a maximum moisture content of between (5 to
7) percent on the Sovergin Meter Scale A, the vessel's hull is ready for
the barrier coat repair to begin.
Step 6. Repairing The Physical Damage
First you seal the entire under waterline portion of the
hull with the highest quality Epoxy Resin. Then fill all blister pockets
and voids with an epoxy fairing compound. When necessary apply more than
one coats of the compound to fill the imperfections. Re-laminate all
gross imperfections with fiberglass cloth and a compatible hull resin.
After curing is complete, fairing is begun with the use of an epoxy
fairing compound to make all surfaces smooth.
Step 7. Sanding Preparation
Sand and fair all compound/re-laminated areas. A general
sanding of the entire hull is performed as the final step prior to the
first stage/coating of the barrier coat application.
Step 8. Cleaning The Hull
Carefully vacuum clean all hull surfaces to remove dust
and contaminates.
Step 9. Applying The Epoxy Barrier Protection
Apply Epoxy as an additional barrier coats. These
coatings should be Hot Coated, {a method of applying the next coat over
the top of the previous coat before the first coat cures and dries).
Otherwise the entire hull will have to be sanded and washed with soap
and water before each coat is applied. Multiple coats of Epoxy are
necessary in order maintain this essential Part I barrier coat adhesion
and thickness. After this stage of coating have been applied, the hull
is sanded in preparation for the next series of Part II coatings.
Step 10. More Sanding & Fairing
After the barrier coats are fully cured and hardened, the
hull is washed with soap and water and allowed to dry. Then the hull is
sanded and faired with an 80 grit sandpaper and once again is washed
thoroughly with soap-water solution. The hull should be allowed to dry
thoroughly,
Step 11. Applying the Barrier Shield
Next apply a minimum of (5) coats barrier coat system.
The five coats are necessary in order to maintain the essential second
barrier thickness after the sanding process. Once again adhere to
manufacturers Dry Time and Recoat Schedule.
Step 12. Applying The Anti-fouling Barrier
Adhering to the manufacturers Dry Time Schedule, a coat
of anti-fouling paint is applied. Select a color which will be markedly
different from the final anti-fouling hull color coating. This first
coat of will indicate the outside layers of the System. If sanding of
the hull occurs on a future date, to reduce the build-up of old
anti-fouling paint coatings, the Interprotect System will not be
damaged, due to this anti-fouling color indicator.
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