Soda Blasting on Cape Cod

[MakoMike]

Originally Posted by Van

I heard that it is very aggresive and removes alot of the gel coat too.

A guy I know had a nightmare of hull finishing this past spring after soda blasting.

Not true, I saw my hull between the blating and the barrier coat and there gel coat was completely intact, though not shiney. But even perfectly intact gel coast can and does let water through, so the IMHO the barrier coat on the bottom is the way to go.

[Van]

Originally Posted by MakoMike

Not true, I saw my hull between the blating and the barrier coat and there gel coat was completely intact, though not shiney. But even perfectly intact gel coast can and does let water through, so the IMHO the barrier coat on the bottom is the way to go.

Hmm, wasn't sure, maybe the guy i know had a different treatment.
But i know it took way too much off and he had to use some kind of epoxy to redo the bottom b4 painting.

Good to know.

[MakoMike]

Originally Posted by Van

Hmm, wasn't sure, maybe the guy i know had a different treatment.
But i know it took way too much off and he had to use some kind of epoxy to redo the bottom b4 painting.

Good to know.

Maybe the boat you saw was sand blasted?

[Van]

I stand corrected, he did have soda blasting (he called it soda ash).
He said it chewed up the gelcoat but did not go through. It left it chalky so it needed mega cleaning and then barrier coating which he said was a nasty job (worse than bottom painting)..I guess if you have to then just expect lots of work after its done.

Good Luck