Be warned!

[PaulJ]

Am I the only one who didn't know that antifouling has a self life?

This new boat has cost me a fortune to fit out and paint..... umpteen coats of Jotun epoxy followed by umpteen more coats of Jotun two pack polyurethane (wonderful stuff!). Imagine my delight when, at a boat jumble, I found 5ltr cans of Jotun "Seaguardian" antifouling (exactly what I wanted) at a bargain price. Whoopeeee I can save a few bob here at least!

Today I phoned Jotun with a question about something else and I don't know why but I asked the guy if there was any problem with storing this antifouling for a few months.... I hope to be launching it round about June next year. I gave him the batch number on the can and he told me that it was made in May 2000 and has a shelf life of just 12 months........ He advised me not to use it.

So be warned folks.... that bargain may not be quite the good buy you think it is.
I must stress that as far as I know, Jotun Seaguardian is excellent antifouling and is no different to any other brand in this respect but I suspect I may not be the only one who didn't know that antifouling has a shelf life.....

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[Talbot]

It also may be because the antifouling from year 2000 has been banned because it worked (as was the 2001, and 2002 versions). - i.e. if antifouling from one year works, it seems to be banned for the following year. I have certainly used antifouling that was more than a year old. Its major problem was the need for a very thorough stir - best done with a power drill and proper paint stirrer. Once applied it did not seem to be any less effective.

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[pvb]

Really???

You don't think this might be another example of manufacturers saying things to encourage sales, do you? Apart from settling out a bit, as Talbot says, what is likely to happen to antifouling in a sealed tin?

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[chippie]

Re: Really???

I hope you are right as I have a couple of tins of Jotun sitting in my shed that I purchased over a year ago.
I am inclined to think that this is more about liability than any real problem.If the paint hasnt hardened and the tins havent been opened it should be ok as long as it is thoroughly stirred. I know from experience with other paints that settling can occur over an extended shelf life. I am going to take the risk.

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[duckmanton]

Re: Really???

l have used anti foul that was 5-6 years old in the tin and it worked on the boat for 4 years. l was lucky it was the now banned, tin (l think thats the stuff). When l talked to the paint expert, he said as long as it hasn't got litltle pellet size bits of the main ingredeants in the paint (as you can't get it back into theliquid) there wont be a problem.

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[steve28]

I use Jotun Seaguardian from a 60 litre can and it has worked fine every year since 1998.....

not much left now though

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[PaulJ]

Oh..... well that's nice to know.... maybe it was a "bargain" after all! Thanks Steve and everyone who responded. Perhaps I should just give it a go for the first season and see how it goes.....

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[Gunfleet]

but what you should watch

is the time-span between painting and launching. Boatyard told me some anti-fouls are meant to go in the water within 24 hours, some you can paint and leave for 6 months. You have to read the tin.

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[philip_stevens]

I used Jotum SeaGuardian for about 3 years until it was unobtainable locally in 5 litre tins. It gave excellent results in that only slime was on the bottom after 6 months afloat.

I think I am right is saying that there is a very long time span between applying and launching.

If anyone has a few tins of the deep blue, I would be interested.

The darker the colour, the better the results. I have found this after using black XM HX3000 for 2 seasons. Again, only slime and no weed. A few barnacles on the prop and shaft where no AF was applied.

<hr width=100% size=1>regards,
Philip

 

[Avocet]

I've used International antifoulings over 2 years old with no problems.

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[Guest]

Old Jotun ...

One time bought Jotun bargain at baot jumble. Went on OK and looked fine.
Next day when going to launch ...... the a/f looked like a dried up river bed ....... you know when the mud cracks and 'gashes' appear. The paint had apparently dried and cracked.

I slapped another coat on quick and put her in. THinking what I can't see - wont do me harm !!! 2 years later she came out no worse than any other ........

In fact a/f I don't worry about it as I used to ........ haven't found one that really works as well as they used to and so only use it when I really have to !!!! Boat came out last winter after 3 years in ........ looked a sight better than a lot of others !!!!


<hr width=100% size=1>Nigel ...
Bilge Keelers get up further ! I came - cos they said was FREE Guinness !
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