A Potential Fix for the Banning Copper in Antifouling Paint-gctid349473

[Guest]

With all the discussion surrounding the banning of copper in antifouling paints, I am reminded of the period in my early childhood where lead was banned from gasoline. My father used to use a lead additive up until he sold his Dodge Dart in the early 80's. Now with banning of copper from bottom paints, one solution would be to reintroduce it into the approved copper-free paint. I know this ban is going to hit California eventually; and personally, I am not a fan of the underside of my boat being used as a breeding ground for marine life. Knowing that copper is the most effective deterrent of growth. This is what I had in mind...

Liquid copper is available for purchase as an antifungal agent. Here are a few products:

http://www.amazon.com/Bonide-811-Liquid-Copper-Pint/dp/B000LNXY22

http://www.domyownpestcontrol.com/bonide-liquid-copper-fungicide-concentrate-p-1539.html?utm_campaign=Product%20Feeds&utm_source=Google%20Products&utm_medium=link

It is also used as a radiator sealant, but I'm guessing there are compounds in it that might be undesirable for marine bottom paint.

What are your thoughts with respect to introducing copper into the approved paint? I'm guessing there might be companies that will begin manufacturing some sort of "antifouling enhancer" that contains copper.

[smitty477]

IMHO - Way too early to worry about this. There are many options being developed right now that will hit the market in 2-3 years and you can always 'double up' on some good mutiyear ablative right before a legal deadline if you are overly concerned.

Perhaps there will be time to worry about this in a few years.

Hope this helps

[SomeSailor]

What you need is Cupric Oxide (CuO). You can buy it by the pound on Amazon. ($12/lb)

[Guest]

Thanks, Mike! I'm definitely going to order some. I'm going to paint the bottom while my boat is being repowered; so I'll add some to the paint and see whether there is an improvement from the last time I painted. I'm using West Marine's Bottomshield paint. It seems as if they have changed their formulation from the last time I purchased it. Here is the description from their web site:

Now formulated with CCTÔÇöComposite Copper TechnologyÔÇöour best selling antifouling paint just got better! Less harmful to the environment than traditional copper-heavy formulations, this paint packages its copper biocide around inert pellets for identical antifouling with 25% less copper released into the environment. And just like the original, BottomShield CCT will keep your hull clean with out cleaning out your wallet!



Not for sale in California and in States where prohibited by law.

• Type: Modified epoxy
• Recommended Usage: Low-to-moderate fouling waters; year-round immersion of fiberglass, wood, steel hulls
• Biocide: 28%
• Cuprous Oxide Additives: None
• Number of Coats Recommended: Two
• Coverage: 100sq.ft./qt.; 400sq.ft./gal.
• Drying Time: To overcoat: 2ÔÇô6 hrs.; to launch: 8ÔÇô24 hrs.
  
  
• Thinner: Thinner-Dewaxer, Model 5437207

It's interesting they indicate it isn't for sale in California, but it is stocked on the shelves of their stores. I saw it last week. The California stores might be using a different formulation...just a guess.

I'll consider Cupric Oxide to enhance its antifouling ability. Heck, for $12 a pound...you can't go wrong. I just want to make sure the amount I add does not affect its ability to adhere to my hull.

[SomeSailor]

I wouldn't imagine it would take much. It's a very fine black powder that would emulsify into the paint very easily. I wouldn't use it in an epoxy based bottom paint though, as you want it to ablate over time and expose more copper. You could always paint a test piece and drop it over the side and see what ya get. Or maybe do a rudder in your experimental mix.