Hempel Cruising Performer Self-Polishing Antifouling Paint - 2.5 Litre

Hempel Cruising Performer 7168E is a high-performance, self-polishing antifouling for glass fibre, wood, plywood and steel hulls below the waterline. It provides all-season fouling protection for cruising vessels while offering high mechanical strength and colour retention. It must not be applied to aluminium or other light-alloy metals.

Hempel Cruising Performer 7168E is a high-performance, self-polishing antifouling coating developed to protect underwater hull surfaces from marine growth throughout the boating season. Its self-polishing action progressively renews the coating surface, helping maintain antifouling performance while limiting unnecessary paint build-up.

The coating provides high mechanical strength for improved crack resistance and maintains good colour retention throughout the season. Cruising speed means the boat’s normal, continuous operating speed during regular passage-making rather than its maximum or racing speed.

Suitable for properly prepared glass fibre, wood, plywood and steel, Hempel Cruising Performer is intended for exterior use below and around the waterline. It must not be applied directly to aluminium or other light-alloy metals because electrical contact with the copper-containing antifouling can cause corrosion.

Apply by brush, roller or paint pad using Hempel’s Thinner 08080 when required, with thinning limited to a maximum of 5%. Apply two coats at the recommended film thickness, followed by an additional coat around the waterline and on rudders, leading edges and other high-wear areas. If the vessel is regularly operated above 20 knots, Hempel recommends applying three coats.

Key Features

• High-performance self-polishing marine antifouling
• Provides all-season protection against marine fouling
• Self-polishing action helps limit excessive paint build-up
• High mechanical strength for improved crack resistance
• Good colour retention throughout the boating season
• Suitable for vessels operating at cruising speeds
• Cruising speed means the boat’s normal, continuous operating speed
• Apply three coats if the vessel regularly operates above 20 knots
• Suitable for glass fibre, wood, plywood and steel
• For exterior use below and around the waterline
• Not suitable for aluminium or other light-alloy metals
• Theoretical coverage of 15m² per litre
• Apply by brush, roller or paint pad
• Use Hempel’s Thinner 08080, with a maximum thinning level of 5%
• Apply two coats, plus an additional coat around the waterline and high-wear areas
• Touch dry in approximately 15 minutes at 20°C
• Surface dry in approximately four hours at 20°C
• Minimum time before immersion of 24 hours at 20°C
• Maximum time before immersion of six months

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Hempel Cruising Performer 7168E used for?
It is used as a self-polishing antifouling coating to protect underwater hull surfaces from marine growth throughout the boating season.

What surfaces can it be applied to?
It is suitable for properly prepared glass fibre, also known as GRP, wood, plywood and steel. It must not be applied directly to aluminium or other light-alloy metals because of the risk of corrosion.

What does cruising speed mean?
Cruising speed is the boat’s normal, continuous operating speed used during regular passage-making, rather than its maximum or racing speed.

Is Hempel Cruising Performer suitable for high-speed boats?
Yes, but if the vessel is regularly operated above 20 knots, Hempel recommends applying three coats of antifouling rather than the standard two-coat system.

How many coats should be applied?
Apply two coats at a dry film thickness of 40 microns per coat, followed by an additional coat around the waterline and on rudders, leading edges and other high-wear areas.

How much area does it cover?
The current theoretical spreading rate is 15m² per litre at the recommended 40-micron dry film thickness.

Which thinner should be used?
Use Hempel’s Thinner 08080 when thinning is required. The maximum recommended thinning level for brush, roller and paint pad application is 5%.