Epoxy under Coppercoat

Flapjack

Flapjack

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Hi all, I’m going to be coppercoating the boat this summer (well I say me but I’m probably going to pay someone to apply the coppercoat but do as much of the prep work myself to keep the costs down) and want to put a couple of coats of epoxy on before the coppercoat so what is the best type of epoxy to use, I will be allowing time for the epoxy to cure properly before the coppercoat goes on so I don’t have to worry about solvent leaching through I just want to know which epoxy will give me the best/hardest surface to apply the coppercoat to. We will be giving the epoxy a quick sand down to provide a good key for the coppercoat.

Thanks Andy
 
I used West epoxy, with a couple of layers of woven cloth to replace what had been planed off the original laminate. Once West has cured sand the whole hull with wet and dry to get rid of any surface contaminants, amine blush etc and also key for the Coppercoat.
Finally 4 coats of C/C as per the instructions, (to the letter!).

Although we were as careful as can be anywhere that got wet, (drip from sink drain and rudder stock), the C/C had failed and come off in small patches when inspected a year later. More than anything else make sure your boat is dry as a bone and remains so for at least a week after the C/C goes on. Normally this would mean a summer out of the water.
There may be something better and/or easier than West. Paul at Symblast is very knowledgable and experienced with C/C and he was the one who planed and grit blasted my hull.
Hard work which once started cannot stop but very satisfying to do it properly, I'm always unsure whether a 'pro' would spend as much time as we did on the attention to detail.

Good luck
 
We applied 2 coats of solvent free ME100 supplied by Coppercoat, all applied over three days (1x expoxy + 1x epoxy + 4x coppercoat)

Advantages
- Relatively cost effective
- No fear of trapping solvent under the Coppercoat
- Full fat protection in two coats

Disadvantage
- Less tolerant to temp and humidity

............ should be fine this time of the year (did I really say that!)
 
fastjedi said:
We applied 2 coats of solvent free ME100 supplied by Coppercoat, all applied over three days (1x expoxy + 1x epoxy + 4x coppercoat)

Advantages
- Relatively cost effective
- No fear of trapping solvent under the Coppercoat
- Full fat protection in two coats

Disadvantage
- Less tolerant to temp and humidity

............ should be fine this time of the year (did I really say that!)
Click to expand...

+1

Apply the ME100 on one day, followed by the CC the following day. Apply the CC whilst the ME100 is still tacky.
 
galadriel said:
+1
Apply the CC whilst the ME100 is still tacky.
Click to expand...

Thats the part I was hoping to avoid, does the Coppercoat have to be applied to tacky epoxy or are you able to allow the epoxy to cure fully before the Coppercoat is applied. The problem I have is that I will be doing the epoxy coats myself but probably paying a pro to apply the Coppercoat at a later date.
Cheers Andy
 
As applying the Epoxy and the Coppercoat is essentially the same process why not do the whole job yourself. It's as easy as rolling it on, you need an extra person dedicated to mixing and feeding you material as you progress.
 
Flapjack said:
Thats the part I was hoping to avoid, does the Coppercoat have to be applied to tacky epoxy or are you able to allow the epoxy to cure fully before the Coppercoat is applied. The problem I have is that I will be doing the epoxy coats myself but probably paying a pro to apply the Coppercoat at a later date.
Cheers Andy
Click to expand...

Andy, The ME 100 is a solvent free epoxy and so is more or less the same as the epoxy in the CC, so applying wet on tacky ensures a good bond. Other epoxy coating may/are solvent based, these will need to cure thoroughly before the CC goes on top, otherwise solvent can be trapped.

As timchappman says, applying CC is no more difficult than applying the epoxy tbh. Do a search on the forum, I did a lengthy description of the process with photos a few years ago. What I would add to those instructions now is dont try applying the CC if its too warm/dry, the stuff goes off as quick as you can apply it. You need a team of 3 people, two applying one mixing and making tea. Dont try to salvage mixing kettles or roller sleeves, buy enough. 1 roller + tray per person x coats.
 
I echo the comment about consumables. You should be spending a three figure sum on rollers, frames, gloves mixing pots etc etc. it's small compared to the cost of the whole job.

That sum includes consumables for the base epoxy coat too.
 
We're already out at Thornham Marina, I've got to paint the hull above the water line first and then do the coppercoating, but the weather and work are conspiring against me at the moment but then this is the English summer after all so I shouldn't expect too much sunshine, lol
 
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