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Sanding and Painting

Sanding and painting can be messy tasks. And if certain precautions are not taken, these tasks can also create a mess for the environment. Most ofboatyard.jpg (15126 bytes) these paints are made with toxic chemicals designed to leach out and prevent bottom growth on the hull. When concentrated amounts of these materials are allowed to escape from hull maintenance and repair areas, there is a potential for environmental harm. Materials, such as solvents, thinners, and brush cleaners, often used in sanding and painting, can also harm the environment if improperly handled. These materials contain cancer-causing agents and have a tendency to sink in the water column, compromising water quality and damaging marine life and the marine environment.

You can play an important role in protecting water quality while sanding or painting your vessel by following the simple tips listed below. More information is available from The Environmental Guide for Marinas.

Boater Tips:

  1. When working in marinas, use designated sanding and painting areas. Check with the marina manager for the location and proper use of these areas.
  2. Work indoors or under cover whenever wind can potentially blow dust and paint into the open air.
  3. Use environmentally friendly tools, such as vacuum sanders and grinders, to collect and trap dust. Some marinas have this equipment for rent, check with the manager.
  4. Clean up all debris, trash, sanding dust, and paint chips immediately following any maintenance or repair activity.
  5. Use a drop cloth beneath the hull to catch sanding dust and paint drops when working over unpaved surfaces.
  6. When sanding or grinding hulls over a paved surface, vacuuming or sweeping loose paint particles is the preferred cleanup method. Do not hose the debris away.
  7. Buy paints, varnishes, solvents, and thinners in sizes that can be used within one year to avoid having to dispose of stale products.
  8. When possible, use water-based paints and solvents.
  9. Switch to longer lasting, harder, or non-toxic antifouling paint at your next haul out.
  10. Paints, solvents, and reducers should be mixed far from the water's edge and transferred to work areas in tightly covered containers of 1 gallon or less.
  11. Keep in mind that solvents and thinners can be used more than once by allowing the solids to settle out and draining the clean product off the top.
  12. Let small quantities of unusable solvents evaporate by brushing them onto an old board.
  13. Thoroughly dry all paint cans before disposing of them in the trash.
  14. When in doubt about proper disposal practices, check with your marina or local municipality.

This boater fact sheet series is produced by the Rhode island Sea Grant Marine Advisory Service with funding from the R.I. Department of Environmental Management Narragansett Bay Project, through a grant issued by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency under the Clean Water Act.

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