Hempel Tiger Xtra Self-Polishing Antifouling Paint - 2.5 Litre

Hempel’s Tiger Xtra 71000 is a conventional, erodible antifouling for glass fibre, wood, plywood and steel hulls. It provides all-season fouling protection, has a theoretical spreading rate of 13m²/L and is suitable for boats kept continuously immersed or stored out of the water between uses.

Hempel Tiger Xtra is formulated for exterior underwater hull surfaces. Its erodible coating type provides seasonal antifouling protection while its high mechanical strength helps resist cracking during service.

The coating is suitable for properly prepared GRP, also known as glass fibre, as well as wood, plywood and steel. Steel hulls must first receive a compatible anticorrosive primer system; Tiger Xtra is an antifouling topcoat and does not replace the primer required for corrosion protection.

Apply two full coats at the recommended 40-micron dry film thickness, followed by an additional coat around the waterline, rudders, leading edges and other high-wear areas. Boats regularly operated above 20 knots should receive three coats.

For a 2.5-litre pack, the current 13m²/L theoretical spreading rate equates to up to 32.5m² for one coat or approximately 16.25m² for two complete coats, before allowing for application losses and the additional coating required in high-wear areas.

Intended Applications and Compatibility

• Suitable for glass fibre and GRP hulls
• Suitable for wood hulls
• Suitable for plywood hulls
• Suitable for properly primed steel hulls
• Suitable for powerboats and sailing boats
• Suitable for dry-sailed boats
• Suitable for boats kept continuously immersed
• For exterior underwater surfaces below the waterline
• Can be applied over compatible existing antifouling after the specified preparation
• Not suitable for aluminium or other light-alloy metals
• For suitably primed aluminium, use the separate Hempel Tiger Xtra White 7103A product

Compatibility note: Copper-containing antifouling must not have electrical contact with an aluminium hull, aluminium stern gear or other aluminium components. Cast iron and lead are not listed as approved substrates in the current Tiger Xtra 71000 Product Data Sheet; confirm the required coating system with Hempel before application.

Surface Preparation and Application Guidance

• Remove salts, detergents, contamination and marine growth using high-pressure fresh water cleaning.
• Ensure the surface is clean and dry before application.
• On an uncoated substrate, prepare and prime the surface with a compatible Hempel underwater coating system.
• One approved system is Hempel’s Light Primer followed by Hempel’s Underwater Primer while the primer remains tacky.
• An alternative system is Hempel’s Premium Primer followed by one coat of Hempel’s Pro Tiecoat.
• On existing self-polishing or traditional antifouling, remove loose coating and contaminants by high-pressure fresh water cleaning.
• On hard-matrix or unidentified antifouling, high-pressure wash, wet abrade and remove all sanding residue.
• Remove antifouling that is in generally poor condition and reprime the substrate.
• Where the existing antifouling is locally poor, seal it with one coat of Hempel’s Underwater Primer or Hempel’s Pro Tiecoat.
• Stir Tiger Xtra thoroughly before application.
• Apply by brush, roller or paint pad.
• Apply two coats at 40 microns dry film thickness per coat.
• Apply an additional coat around the waterline and on rudders, leading edges and other high-wear areas.
• Apply three coats if the boat is regularly operated above 20 knots.
• Use Hempel’s Thinner 08080 only when thinning is necessary.
• Keep thinning to an absolute minimum and do not exceed 5% by volume.
• Hempel’s Thinner 08080 or Hempel’s Thinner 808 08081 may be used for cleaning compatible application equipment.
• Apply only when the surface temperature is at least 3°C above the dew point.
• Relative humidity must remain below 85% during application.
• Avoid condensation on the newly applied coating.
• At 20°C, allow at least four hours before applying the next coat.
• At 20°C, allow at least 24 hours before immersion.
• The maximum stated period between application and immersion is six months.
• Spray application is possible; contact Hempel for product-specific spray guidance.
• Wear protective gloves, protective clothing and suitable eye or face protection.

Key Features

• Hempel product code 71000
• Conventional, erodible antifouling
• Provides all-season fouling protection
• Suitable for dry sailing or continuous immersion
• High mechanical strength
• Excellent crack resistance
• Suitable for GRP, glass fibre, wood, plywood and properly primed steel
• For exterior use below the waterline
• Not suitable for aluminium or other light-alloy metals
• Semi-flat finish
• Theoretical spreading rate of 13m²/L
• Reference dry film thickness of 40 microns
• Reference wet film thickness of 78 microns
• Volume solids of 51 ± 2%
• Specific gravity of 1.7kg/L
• Apply by brush, roller or paint pad
• Two full coats required
• Additional coat required around the waterline and high-wear areas
• Three coats recommended for boats regularly operated above 20 knots
• Hempel’s Thinner 08080 specified for thinning
• Maximum thinning of 5% by volume
• Hempel’s Thinner 08080 or Thinner 808 08081 suitable for tool cleaning
• Touch dry in approximately 15 minutes at 20°C
• Minimum self-overcoating interval of four hours at 20°C
• Minimum immersion interval of 24 hours at 20°C
• Maximum time before immersion of six months

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Hempel Tiger Xtra 71000 used for?
It is an antifouling coating used to protect underwater hull surfaces from marine fouling throughout the boating season.

Is Tiger Xtra a self-polishing antifouling?
Hempel places Tiger Xtra within its self-polishing range, while the current Product Data Sheet describes it technically as a conventional, erodible antifouling.

Which hull materials are compatible with Hempel Tiger Xtra?
It is suitable for properly prepared glass fibre or GRP, wood, plywood and steel.

Can Hempel Tiger Xtra be applied to aluminium?
Standard Tiger Xtra 71000 must not be applied to aluminium or other light-alloy metals. For suitably primed aluminium, use the separate Hempel Tiger Xtra White 7103A product.

Can it be used on cast iron or lead keels?
Cast iron and lead are not listed as approved substrates in the current Tiger Xtra 71000 Product Data Sheet. Confirm the required primer and coating system with Hempel before application.

Does Tiger Xtra provide corrosion protection for steel?
Tiger Xtra is an antifouling topcoat, not a substitute for an anticorrosive primer. Steel must be correctly prepared and primed before applying the antifouling.

How many coats of Tiger Xtra are required?
Apply two full coats, followed by an additional coat around the waterline and other high-wear areas. Apply three coats if the vessel is regularly operated above 20 knots.

Can one coat last for a complete season?
The current Product Data Sheet specifies two coats at 40 microns dry film thickness per coat, plus an additional coat in high-wear areas.

How much area does one litre cover?
The theoretical spreading rate is 13m²/L at a recommended dry film thickness of 40 microns.

How much area will a 2.5-litre tin cover?
A 2.5-litre tin theoretically covers up to 32.5m² for one coat or approximately 16.25m² for two complete coats, before application losses and additional high-wear coats.

Which thinner should be used with Tiger Xtra?
Use Hempel’s Thinner 08080. The maximum permitted thinning level is 5% by volume.

Is Hempel’s Thinner 808 No. 3 the correct application thinner?
No. The current Product Data Sheet lists Hempel’s Thinner 08080 as the application thinner. Hempel’s Thinner 808 08081 is listed as an alternative tool cleaner.

How should Tiger Xtra be applied?
Apply it by brush, roller or paint pad to a clean, dry and correctly prepared surface. Stir thoroughly before use and maintain the specified wet and dry film thicknesses.

Can Tiger Xtra be sprayed?
Yes. Spray application is possible, but Hempel should be contacted for the applicable spray equipment, nozzle, pressure and thinning guidance.

How long does Tiger Xtra take to dry?
At 20°C, it is touch dry in approximately 15 minutes. The minimum self-overcoating interval is four hours.

How long should I wait before launching the boat?
At 20°C, wait at least 24 hours after the final coat before immersion.

How long can the boat remain ashore after application?
The maximum stated time between application and immersion is six months.

Is it suitable for boats stored out of the water?
Yes. Hempel specifies Tiger Xtra as suitable for dry sailing as well as continuous immersion.

Can it be applied over existing antifouling?
Yes, provided the existing coating is compatible, sound and prepared as specified. Poor or unidentified coatings may require abrasion, removal, priming or a compatible tiecoat.

Is Tiger Xtra suitable for fresh, salt and brackish water?
The current Product Data Sheet does not provide separate performance claims by water salinity. Local fouling conditions should be considered when selecting the coating system.