Recent content by Gaffer

Have you thaught about getting it re-chromed ? <hr width=100% size=1>

If it is a small pin hole leak, drill hole in the centre of the hole and insert a self tapping screw. I have seen this done on lorry diesel tanks with 100% success........... <hr width=100% size=1>

I have herd from several people over the years that their antifouling on the water line or just below the waterline has an adhesion problem, slides off or develops "fish eyes". This happens when some enthusiastic soul polishes the topsides and some of the polish gets onto the surface where...

I know just the right man for you. Call me on 07958 784 223 and I will pass on his details. <hr width=100% size=1>

Blakes SFE Epoxy used to come in red and grey and you applied it in alternate colours so that you could see that you had applied each coat evenly. It sounds like this is what you have on your boat. The fact that it comes off easily means that the overcoating times were not strictly adhered to...

The problem is that no two people apply paint to the same thickness. One owner I spoke to used 3 litres for one coat on his 22 ft fin keeler, and another used less than that for two coats on his 36 foot long keeler. Eroding antifoulings only work if there is paint there to erode. The more you...

If you don't want a full sheet then Metal Supermarkets in Southampton is the best 023 8022 0999, and they will deliver for free if you are not too far away. For full sheets my first choice would be Hall & Pickles in Eastleigh. 023 8065 1815, very helpful people, they do have a delivery charge...

A lot depends on the type of steel you require, hot rolled / cold reduced, thickness, grade, quantity, delivered / collected etc. etc. I have four different suppliers for the steel that I use........your best bet is to just go through the Yellow Pages and phone arround......

Metal Supermarkets in Southampton will cut to size any material and deliver all at a reasonable price, and can recommend people who can do your drilling and welding for you. They are in the Mount Pleasant Industrial Estate behind the television centre, their phone no is 023 8022 0999

The pro's of doing an epoxy job definately outweigh the con's. With trailer - sailer you are going to get the occasional scrape during launch / recovery, and the epoxy will take the damage and protect the original gel coat. Epoxy tar is as good as any, but there may be some colour bleed through...

"Metal Supermarkets" will cut to size any material including stainless no matter how small, and they will also deliver at no extra charge. I have used the one in Southampton on many occasions and the staff there are very helpfull.

I have vague memories going back to when I first started sailing in the 1950's of radar reflectors made of fine galvanised steel mesh, which was I suppose was to accomodate both the windage and weight criteria. They also folded up for stowage, but after a short time they rusted and...

Re: I\'m fed up with rowing. Get Tracy to do the rowing............

If you refer back to my first reply, I did in fact mention application to steel. I also mentiond epoxy coal tar or pitch epoxy, and some people apply this coating to GRP, and even wood, this should be followed by at least one coat of antifouling primer at the correct interval, then your coats...

These long term copper/epoxy antifoulings are OK in theory but in practice they tend to fail for a number of reasons, although having said that I have spoken to many satisfied users of this system. Getting it to adhere to the substrate is one of the most popular failings, although this is an...