Antifoul - with a difference?

[carlton]

I know - yet another a/f post...

I'm hoping someone can clear this up, preferably by having used some new (to me, at least) EU-45 a/f.

http://www.eu45antifoul.com/home_eng.php

According to the factsheet (pdf), here...

http://www.eu45antifoul.com/docs/techspecs_english.pdf

...at the very bottom of the sheet it says it's o.k. to overpaint aluminium (- i.e. outdrives) - in colour white (only).

Now, as I was intending to paint my currently black Mercruiser drives white anyway, has anyone actually used this on their drives? Should it be o.k. to do this? Can I believe them?

(I'm pretty certain that the manufacturers of EU-45 won't be prepared to buy me some nice new drives should it not be suitable).

Thanks in advance for any pointers, and comments from any chemists on here would be welcome.

(Edit; Forgot to say, it's a very reasonable £47.99 - delivered - rather than the £100+ Interspeed Ultra that I usually buy).

 

[trying]

Just read the pdf spec sheet and can't fathom why they say that white is suitable for aluminium but no other colours are?

Never heard of it although that doesn't necessarily mean anything.

 

[rubberduck]

I use it, good stuff, but I use propshield on the drives, equally good stuff. Used both in Jan & didn't loose a knot in speed all season.

 

[Ripster]

Used EU45 this season (but not on drives) and its worked well apart from a bit aof a beard around the waterline which just brushes off. (mine was dark blue) Have tried all sorts on the drives and none seem to work - best was the hot wax based ones.

 

[carlton]

Thanks for your input, guys.

Trying - yes, the spec. sheet is a little short of information. I'd love to believe that I can just slap it on the hull and drives/trim tabs all in one - despite the fact that I'll still be using Lanolin on the drives additionally.

Rubberduck/Ripster - could I just confirm that you would have been cruising at speeds 30+ knots?

Assuming this is true, on the basis that this is a self-polishing antifoul did you find any areas where the a/f had worn off completely?

BTW - re. Propshield. I've used that on the drives previously with good results, but it's now £40 ish a pot. 'Lanoguard' - the same thing without the red dye - is just as effective and available from 'Bosun's Locker' at £9 delivered!

 

[VicS]

There ought to be a Safety data sheet available (reputable manufacturers like International put them on line)

That should tell you the active constituents, among other things. Although the Fact sheet does state that it contains copper oxide or thiocyanate.

I would guess that the white one contains cuprous thiocyanate and the colours cuprous oxide. (I think you will find that International use it in white copper based antifouls. It is the active constituent in Trilux as well.)

However International do specify that Trilux is applied to aluminium over a epoxy primer, not directly to the aluminium.
No clue what the Eu45 primer is or how and when it should be used.

Suggest therefore that if you do decide to use it you obtain a bit more detail about its composition (ask for the Material Safety Data Sheet) and the method of use on aluminium ie preparation and priming.

 

[carlton]

Thanks Vic - as I suspected, it looks a bit dubious.

I've just e-mailed the manufacturer requesting Data sheet/Method of application. I'll post their response - if there is one...

 

[VicS]

I would not say dubious, just a bit short on info. May well be a jolly good product.
I judge the standard of the data, specification and instructions against that set by International who have a safety data sheet and a product data sheet containing all the relevant technical advice on the use of each product on line.

 

[Ripster]

No....didnt cruise at 30+ knots all the time - 22ish usually.

 

[carlton]

Update -

Amazingly (it is Sunday after all) I have received a reply to the e-mail I sent them...

Thank you for your enquiry, please find attached PDF files containing a "Product Technical Data Sheet". If you have any problem opening this file please contact us.

(This is the same pdf as I have already linked to).

You Asked:- I am interested in your product. In the (pdf) specification sheet ( http://www.eu45antifoul.com/docs/techspecs_english.pdf ) it states that the WHITE version of EU-45 can be used on Aluminium. As I'm sure you are aware, Copper should not normally come into contact with Aluminium in the marine environment - hence my question; would you kindly forward the Material Safety Data Sheet and instructions regarding the method of use on aluminium?


We Advise:- You are of course correct that “copper oxide” should not be used on aluminium, however EU45 White does not contain copper oxide but rather Copper Thyocyanate which is a copper based product heavily processed to the extent that it becomes a white powder enabling its use in the production of a white antifoul. During this process it also loses its metallic properties making it safe for use on aluminium. It is the active ingredient used in the majority of aluminium safe antifouling paints.
Aplication methods are the same as for all the other colours as outlined in our technical data sheet.

So they're saying it will be fine on aluminium drives as it does not contain Copper Oxide and the Copper used in the Copper Thyocyanate "loses its metallic properties". Hmm...interesting...but is that possible?

 

[rubberduck]

Thanks for your input, guys.

Trying - yes, the spec. sheet is a little short of information. I'd love to believe that I can just slap it on the hull and drives/trim tabs all in one - despite the fact that I'll still be using Lanolin on the drives additionally.

Rubberduck/Ripster - could I just confirm that you would have been cruising at speeds 30+ knots?

Assuming this is true, on the basis that this is a self-polishing antifoul did you find any areas where the a/f had worn off completely?

BTW - re. Propshield. I've used that on the drives previously with good results, but it's now £40 ish a pot. 'Lanoguard' - the same thing without the red dye - is just as effective and available from 'Bosun's Locker' at £9 delivered!

Around 25-28 knts topping out at 32 downhill occasionally lol. No beard growth or bad patches whatsoever on the east coast, very impressed.

 

[carlton]

Ripster/Rubberduck - thanks for your feedback.

It appears to be a goer for the hull. Just got to decide whether or not I'll be brave enough to believe the manufacturer and chuck some on the drives...