Anti-foul additive?

[Huttoft]

Have a kilo of Copper Sulphate crystals in my shed that I'd bought for some half forgotten and never completed purpose. Thought that instead of wasting,(waste nowt, want fer nowt) a possibility might be to include it, the next time I have to anti-foul. Has anybody tried this before and what were the results?
Good luck.

 

[VicS]

Have a kilo of Copper Sulphate crystals in my shed that I'd bought for some half forgotten and never completed purpose. Thought that instead of wasting,(waste nowt, want fer nowt) a possibility might be to include it, the next time I have to anti-foul. Has anybody tried this before and what were the results?
Good luck.

It will simply leach out even if you manage to disperse it in the paint in the first place.

Antifouling ususlly contains cuprous oxide or sometimes cuprous thiocynate. Both of which are insoluble in water. You could try making some cuprous oxide and using that.

The antifouling safety data sheets will give you an indication of the concentrations of Cu₂O normally used.

Personally i think you will make no improvement an the whole execise will be a waste of time.

 

[pvb]

Personally i think you will make no improvement an the whole execise will be a waste of time.

I have to agree, and there's also the risk that it might ruin some perfectly good antifouling. I'm always amused that people think that adding some chili, rat poison, McDonald's ketchup or whatever to antifoul will improve it - if that were the case, rest assured the paint manufacturers would have tried it. The best way of ensuring antifouling works is to apply the correct quantity!