finish on ex: on-board lifeboat

The lower part of the hull seems to have been finished (many years ago) with something like bitumen or maybe tar. It has been an extremely dirty job trying to get this stuff off and I am still working on it. My question is need I have gone to so much trouble trying to remove the stuff? would it be possible to buy something like the same product now and simply go over the good areas? If so what might the product be called (UK) bitumen? tar? or something else.

I should have mentioned it is also on the inside of the planks.

 

Consider Polyurea. they spray it on and have many exotic coatings or go with the sprayed truck bed liner.

 

thanks for the quick response. Never heard of Polyurea but will check it out

 

Polyurea isn't going to stick well to tar or bitumen.

 

how about Henery's roof cement?

 

Without knowing fairly reasonably what's there, suggesting a workable over coat is just a shot in the dark.

 

with these comments in mind, is there any way I can determine if it is bitumen or coal tar?
I am certain it is one of them. Returning to my original question,can I safely use either of these products once I have found the right one? Its great being in contact with people who know what they are talking about. I am completely in the dark

 

Bitumen as a poor resitance against oil and solvant.
Coalt tar in highly resistant to everything.

 

Slice a portion off and take it to the local university's chemical lab. They'll be able to ID it, likely just for the fun of figuring out what it is.

 

Sounds like our equivalent of our Pabco Hydroseal, does a great job of waterproofing, and is advertised as "paintable". It doesnt ever totally dry,

Check out local hardware shops to see what is available - you may want to buy a test pot of a couple of available products, and see if they look like what you have.