'Milkfat' as Antifoul?

[Inselaffe]

\'Milkfat\' as Antifoul?

My neighbour (we are in a halftide mud berth) uses something called 'Melkfett' as antifoul and each year his boat is clear of weed & barnicles. He smears on a very thin film with a card & swears by it.

I cant find out exactly what it is in English. In german it is from 'Melken' to milk and 'Fett' ie fat. My wife says it was originally for putting on cows udders(!) & is now more as a skin cream.

Does anybody know anything about using this or similar approach? Why doesnt it just all rub off in the mud, which it doesnt appear to since my neighbour has good results?

Currently I use International VC, mainly because its hard & no thick build up over years & on small boat not expensive. But inevitably below the 'mud-line' a layer of mud forms an impenetrable barrier to which the barnacles dont mind sticking. Between mud & water line nothing, just a bit of weed at waterline. Another advantage of VC is the 'teflon' which means that I can pretty easily scrape off any fouling.

Just curious about this Milkfett!

 

[Aardee]

Re: \'Milkfat\' as Antifoul?

Sounds like a load of old bull to me /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[bobgosling]

Re: \'Milkfat\' as Antifoul?

Lanolin ? Certainly known to work on bronze props but would expect it to rub off if abraded regularly in a mud berth.

 

[totopalm]

Re: \'Milkfat\' as Antifoul?

Bull Cow Milk, please do not ever take dairy farming
could be injurious to health
Bull/cow/milk pull the udder one!!

 

[Malcb]

Re: \'Milkfat\' as Antifoul?

You mean this
Melkfett
Good for the skin as well.
Perhaps originally it used lanolin as a base?

 

[Inselaffe]

Re: \'Milkfat\' as Antifoul?

I think its similar to Lanolin, but is petroleum based? I only know it isn't the same as lanolin.

Its definately not a wind-up. I must admit they do wind me up sometimes (I am the only 'Island Monkey' here & they have the upperhand with the language), but my neighbour is not the only one to use the stuff in the harbour.

 

[Inselaffe]

Re: \'Milkfat\' as Antifoul?

Yes, I found that kind of stuff through google.

But it seems a bit strange to me to use as antifouling.

I just wondered if anyone had heard of anything similar (eg 'in days gone by' etc) being used in the UK...

I'll have to talk to my neighbour again on the weekend when we put the pontoons back in the water.

 

[Norman_E]

Re: \'Milkfat\' as Antifoul?

It probably works like putting barrier cream on your hands, effectively a non stick coating. It may even be barrier cream.

 

[Gordonmc]

Re: \'Milkfat\' as Antifoul?

Possible the extract of calendula uses lanolin as a base.
I use anhydrous lanolin on my prop... bought from a chemist who told me its widely used as a bulk for cosmetics.
If its cold enough lanolin goes quite hard.