Mixing two types of antifouling

[Iain C]

It's that time of year again...time for a quick jet off, and to thank my lucky stars I'm a fin keeler and I don't use hard a/f!

Rummaging around the shed I have found a couple of cans of Micron Extra, and a couple of cans of Cruiser Uno. Both International, both black, both self polishing. Is there anything to stop me chucking it all together, mixing well and applying it?

 

[Rigger Mortice]

It would probably be OK but why risk it? Use one first then, when that runs out, change to the other. You'll then be able to see at the end of the season which type was best.

 

[rwoofer]

It would probably be OK but why risk it? Use one first then, when that runs out, change to the other. You'll then be able to see at the end of the season which type was best.

That is what I would do and have done with success.

 

[Iain C]

I already know that the Micron is much better so no need to test...I'm just looking for an even level of fouling if that makes sense.

Perhaps I'll call International for some advice tomorrow...

 

[rwoofer]

I already know that the Micron is much better so no need to test...I'm just looking for an even level of fouling if that makes sense.

Perhaps I'll call International for some advice tomorrow...

In that case I would use Micron down to the first foot or so and on leading edges (or wherever you typically get the most fouling) and the Uno on the rest.

 

[J Neeves]

In that case I would use Micron down to the first foot or so and on leading edges (or wherever you typically get the most fouling) and the Uno on the rest.

+1

I might also use the less well performing on areas I can reach, the hull, and the better on less accessible areas, the lower hull and keel. That way you can more easily wipe the slime that usually builds and allows a foundation for the hard stuff.

Jonathan

 

[Seashoreman]

Just done this myself. Cheapest (Flag) on first then better stuff (XM?) slapped on top. Guess its all related, no prob on compatibility on land. Would be interested in profit margins on some of this stuff.

 

[J Neeves]

We have different AF in Oz to rest of world because each country or jurisdiction have different restrictions. We ran tests with our Micron 66 and compatibility issues took 3-6 months to show up, you might not have Micron 66, or its under another name or a different formulation.

Sadly the recommendation is, if you are not sure what is underneath and or not sure if it is compatible, put on a primer coat compatible with the top coat. I think many of the older AF are actually compatible with each other, very similar formulations.

But here we found Micron 66 to be one of the best AF (so there is nothing wrong with it!), alongside another 3.

Jonathan

 

[doug748]

It's that time of year again...time for a quick jet off, and to thank my lucky stars I'm a fin keeler and I don't use hard a/f!

Rummaging around the shed I have found a couple of cans of Micron Extra, and a couple of cans of Cruiser Uno. Both International, both black, both self polishing. Is there anything to stop me chucking it all together, mixing well and applying it?

They seem to share the same thinners so you should be ok. I looked it up for you, which is more than I ever do, I just lob the things together and have never had a problem.

If fact I did have one unusual reaction with a tub of cut price International, freshwater stuff and half a can of Blakes. I put the gloopy mixture on anyways and it worked as well as anything.

 

[Iain C]

So the official reply from International is a slightly corporate "not necessarily what we'd recommend sir" but at the same time nothing bad will happen, yes they can be mixed, they will go off ok and they will deter marine critters. Exactly what I'd hoped for.

I was quite specific in my questioning on here...I don't want different areas of the boat with different levels of fouling, if I scrub mid season I'll use either drying piles or a wetsuit so accessibility is not an issue, and if it had been a "no" from International then I would have kept them separate and used the remnants on a day sailer project I've just acquired. But thanks anyway and I will report back if there are any issues!

 

[theoldsalt]

If you were going to ask International for their advise and then use it why bother asking advise on this forum and then ignore it?

 

[Bobc]

We have different AF in Oz to rest of world because each country or jurisdiction have different restrictions. We ran tests with our Micron 66 and compatibility issues took 3-6 months to show up, you might not have Micron 66, or its under another name or a different formulation.

Sadly the recommendation is, if you are not sure what is underneath and or not sure if it is compatible, put on a primer coat compatible with the top coat. I think many of the older AF are actually compatible with each other, very similar formulations.

But here we found Micron 66 to be one of the best AF (so there is nothing wrong with it!), alongside another 3.

Jonathan

I have 66 on my boat. What issues did you find, and with what?

 

[sailorman]

I already know that the Micron is much better so no need to test...I'm just looking for an even level of fouling if that makes sense.

Perhaps I'll call International for some advice tomorrow...

are the thinners the same if so why not mix them

 

[Iain C]

If you were going to ask International for their advise and then use it why bother asking advise on this forum and then ignore it?

Because I was hoping that someone may have tried it and have direct experience. I was also very specific in my questioning, I asked if I could mix it, not use different a/f on different parts of the boat. No one said "no-don't do it" so I've not ignored anyone's advice. I have very different amounts of each product, so the only viable option is mix it all up.

Or perhaps you'd just prefer if we didn't have a forum and we all pointed technical questions at the manufacturers...even if their agenda may be different (sell more stuff) to most PBO readers (economy and reduce waste).

Thanks again for the positive contributions chaps...overalls and roller trays are good to go!:encouragement:

 

[rwoofer]

and used the remnants on a day sailer project I've just acquired.

You can't let slip like that without telling us what the new boat to your fleet is.....

 

[Iain C]

OK Richard just for you. Here we have the Hanseatic 19/2 "Scorpio", which incredibly, was a freebie from a forumite. He placed a "storage due...must go...take it away" in the for sale section a month or so ago, and SWMBO and I had a very pleasant weekend trip to the Lake District to get her. The boat does have a bit of a dose of pox which I need to sort, and some rot in two non-structural bulkheads, but she is lovely and will come up beautifully once I've finished the 15 project...although you could sail her right now as is. We did do a cash deal on the outboard of course. Plan is to explore the Norfolk Broads...never been, and I think with that tabernacle she will be ideal. Too many boats though...N+1 is starting to be a worry!

I've assured Simon, the previous owner, that she will be shiny again soon and said come for a sail when she's done...I am very grateful for his generosity and amazed at this forum!

Before we picked her up...

On the way back down the M6...

 

[J Neeves]

I have 66 on my boat. What issues did you find, and with what?

It was a test panel and we had applied Micron 66, and all the other AF we were looking at, over the same primer coat (from PPG). Only the Micron 66 reacted, it bubbled up (and appeared to have no AF characteristics). We subsequently had much larger panels and applied 66 and Extra over International primer and had no issues - and as stated 66 was one of the best, about as good as another three and much better than the other 8, we looked at 12 ablatives in total. After 18 months we had no growth on the 66 but a complete ecosystem on the 8 also rans.

I would have no issues in using 66 except cost. There is a suggestion it does not work in fresh water - but that's not normally an issue (obviously) but does make me wonder about brackish water (again not an issue, normally).

All it illustrated was that some AF are not compatible with non matching primers - it had no refection on 66.

Jonathan

 

[rwoofer]

OK Richard just for you. Here we have the Hanseatic 19/2 "Scorpio", which incredibly, was a freebie from a forumite. He placed a "storage due...must go...take it away" in the for sale section a month or so ago, and SWMBO and I had a very pleasant weekend trip to the Lake District to get her. The boat does have a bit of a dose of pox which I need to sort, and some rot in two non-structural bulkheads, but she is lovely and will come up beautifully once I've finished the 15 project...although you could sail her right now as is. We did do a cash deal on the outboard of course. Plan is to explore the Norfolk Broads...never been, and I think with that tabernacle she will be ideal. Too many boats though...N+1 is starting to be a worry!

I've assured Simon, the previous owner, that she will be shiny again soon and said come for a sail when she's done...I am very grateful for his generosity and amazed at this forum!

Before we picked her up...

On the way back down the M6...

Congratulations!

I wish I had the time and space to pick up bargains and get them working again.

Under pressure to lighten my fleet as well...