Cleaning bottom antifouling paint

[vaugse]

Is there some sort of mat available to catch the bad stuff when I wet sand the bottom coat? Also, through the years I sanded a lot without protection. Am I in danger of, well, bad stuff? 19' C. dory since 1993

[Foggy]

[thataway]

Most folks use a blue polypropylene tarp. Then vacuum it up.
Hard to say about health hazard--may shorten your life span, but since 1993 and you are still alive. The amount and nature of toxins depends on the paint. I sanded some of the really toxic stuff back in the 1940's, and have lived to be 87. In later years I did wear a respirator and mask.

[ssobol]

Wet sanding would also help.

[Robert H. Wilkinson]

The op did say he was wet sanding so I will assume he is looking for a solution to catching the runoff. A tarp might work if you raised the edges to make a dyke then a wet vac to clean out the pool. Not sure if he is looking to remove material down to the gel coat - or just to clean and rough up the surface prior to recoating.

The only wet sanding I have seen boaters do is racing sailors burnishing their bottom coat to gain a knot or 2 but it is a very messy operation since you are working overhead with everything falling on you and yes many bottom coats contain some nasty and toxic substances.

I did a lot of wet sanding on cars when base/clear paint became popular. Still have an air power wet sander that a hose hooks up to and water runs out through holes in the sand paper. If any members have a use for it I will ship it for a very reasonable price.

Good luck with your project,

Rob

[Reelin2]

If you are looking to remove antifouling paint. I used paint stripper for the thick stuff and sanded the balance. Wear a respirator.