Expired antifouling?

[AndrewDu]

I bought some Cruiser 200 from a large well-known online chandler. It showed an expiry date of 10-24 so I informed the supplier. Commendably, they replied saying they'd checked all their stock and it was all the same, so they couldn't replace it, but refunded instead. I then bought another tin from another well-known online chandler (one that specialises in boat paints...) and lo & behold it also says "Exp 10-24". What's going on? Has Cruiser 200 been secretly discontinued, or am I just unlucky? I am going to keep this second tin, because it will probably work fine, but it's a bit puzzling. Comments welcome!

 

[Daydream believer]

I bought some Cruiser 200 from a large well-known online chandler. It showed an expiry date of 10-24 so I informed the supplier. Commendably, they replied saying they'd checked all their stock and it was all the same, so they couldn't replace it, but refunded instead. I then bought another tin from another well-known online chandler (one that specialises in boat paints...) and lo & behold it also says "Exp 10-24". What's going on? Has Cruiser 200 been secretly discontinued, or am I just unlucky? I am going to keep this second tin, because it will probably work fine, but it's a bit puzzling. Comments welcome!

Give it to Viago. He will make a special sauce of it & put it on his rancid chicken in 3 weeks time & post a picture of his lates effort; telling us all how we should save money by ignoring use by dates

 

[MM5AHO]

I bought a bulk lot of Flag Cruiser antifoul some years ago. I was using it up at about 1.5 tins a year.
It seemed to get better as it aged. I see no obvious reason for that, but as I'm down to last half tin I will need some more this winter.
Each year 2 coats, and most years plenty of miles sailed, W coast Scotland. Only slime on haul out. The purchase must have been about 10 years back.

 

[johnalison]

I think the only problem with old stock is that the contents will have formed a mass at the bottom and it will take more stirring to make it workable.

 

[Daydream believer]

I think the only problem with old stock is that the contents will have formed a mass at the bottom and it will take more stirring to make it workable.

Store the tins upside down

 

[Hoolie]

That won't work, as all the heavy additive gunge will be stuck to the lid!

To the OP, I've used years out of date antifoul several times without any noticeable problems.

 

[Momac]

I bought some Cruiser 200 from a large well-known online chandler. It showed an expiry date of 10-24 so I informed the supplier. Commendably, they replied saying they'd checked all their stock and it was all the same, so they couldn't replace it, but refunded instead. I then bought another tin from another well-known online chandler (one that specialises in boat paints...) and lo & behold it also says "Exp 10-24". What's going on? Has Cruiser 200 been secretly discontinued, or am I just unlucky? I am going to keep this second tin, because it will probably work fine, but it's a bit puzzling. Comments welcome!

Back in the olden days it was possible to walk into a shop to buy paint , among other things. From a boating perspective such shops are often associated with or located near marinas.
You could then check the sell by date before you pay.
I believe this is still possible.

 

[Stemar]

My experience of antifoul tells me that it being in date or out of date will make no noticeable difference to the performance

 

[wingcommander]

Unless its so old it 'goes off ' and may cause adverse affect to aquatic life ......ooh err ,hang on.

Seriously though I have just purchased 2× 2.5 liters Hemple classic from a well known online supplier, kit packed to include trays and rollers and brushes. Paint delivered in plain white tubs .
I have no idea of the condition of contents
I hope / trust they gave the donor tubs a really good mix prior to pouring.
I do have the ability to dry out on legs , so will be monitoring

 

[Daydream believer]

That won't work, as all the heavy additive gunge will be stuck to the lid!

Of course it will. This is because it is easy just to scrape the lumps off the lid with a filler knife. Then they fall into suspension with the lesser thickened mixture making mixing with a stirrer on an electric drill much easier.

 

[pete]

If it's old enough it may have some really good stuff in it instead of the new environmentally friendly stuff that doesn't

 

[Wansworth]

If I lived in the UK I would prepare the bottom perfectly smooth then as required Luther on the piles and clean off the bottom likesaythefleet of racing keel boats at Itchenor ,,,,,very eco money saving and a relaxing weekend at a nearby pub

 

[Hot Property]

I bought some Silic One and dates on the tin made me believe the paint was out of date upon receipt.

Turns out (after a call to Hempel) that it was the manufacture date....

Rookie error, but it wasn't clear on the tin...

 

[Dellquay13]

Seriously though I have just purchased 2× 2.5 liters Hemple classic from a well known online supplier, kit packed to include trays and rollers and brushes. Paint delivered in plain white tubs .
I have no idea of the condition of contents
I hope / trust they gave the donor tubs a really good mix prior to pouring.
I do have the ability to dry out on legs , so will be monitoring

One well known Welsh online supplier ships normal branded tins of Hempel inside plain white lidded tubs, for you to decant the paint into, as part of their painting kits.

 

[seeSimon]

Back in the olden days it was possible to walk into a shop to buy paint , among other things. From a boating perspective such shops are often associated with or located near marinas.
You could then check the sell by date before you pay.
I believe this is still possible.

Could you please post me a link to where you got this information?

 

[seeSimon]

Of course it will. This is because it is easy just to scrape the lumps off the lid with a filler knife. Then they fall into suspension with the lesser thickened mixture making mixing with a stirrer on an electric drill much easier.

Stirrers with electric drill are excellent for antifoul.

 

[seeSimon]

Biggest problem that I seem to have with "expired" antifouling (generally my own fault due to part used tins) is determining which of the ludicrously expensive proprietary potions to then use as thinners.

I find white spirit or xylene often do the trick?

I've just had to buy yet another can of thinners, this time International #9, for "Perfection" two pack polyurethane. £30 0.5 ltr ish...
This rummage in my thinners store revealed that the half can of epoxy thinners (different of course/allegedly!) That I thought I had left from another job, has seemingly itself rotted out the base of its original package...ffs!

 

[The Q]

I think I've got half a tin of TBT in the back of a cupboard, no idea if it's gone solid..