PTFE Coating for the propellors

superheat6k

superheat6k

Well-Known Member
Joined
10 Jan 2012
Messages
6,798
Location
South Coast
Visit site
I am fed up with heavy barnacle growth on the props destroying both my fuel economy and speed, so I investigated possible use of PTFE coating - WOW !

Used extensively by the offshore industry, but not sure if any boaters have tried it. Considering the price I wouldn't be surpised if they haven't, but I have been offered two materials -

One is TC1008F at a mere £600 per prop (20" 3 blade)

The other is MC3005 at a staggering £1,275 per prop.

Due to lack of application experience on propellors the process cannot be guaranteed.

Has anyone knowledge of using PTFE based coatings on propellor applications ?

Does it work ?

If so is there a cheaper process available ?
 
You have to be bit careful with heat and some props..
Can take the rubber bushings out.. As one forumite found last year..

And I thought £200 last year to blast repair etch and spray mine was expensive..
Waste of money as well, paint was falling off after 2 months..

I have a plan this year to try out a process with some old antifoul I found in the shed.
I will report back on that one..
Not holding out too much hope though..

Good luck in your search superheat.. Ian
 
sharpness said:
Except for Barnacles......:)
Click to expand...

OK, it's too late, but how about sanding the barnacles (not remove them completely!) and then antifoul it? Barnacles have a perfect adhesion to the props, then antifoul should key and bond nicely to the barnacles? So no flaking and some protection. Next year, rub the a/f back and coat again.

off to the patent office in the morning!

:D

V.
 
I don't really think much works 100%. I still keep on with TK anti foul spray on my prop. Says gives 4 month protection and I think it's probably as good as it gets. Best bit is it gives a clear coat finish and goes on in seconds from a aerosol spray which cost £18 quid and a can does 2 seasons.. Certainly this year once again just 1 or 2 barnacles on the prop and that was it, such minimal growth I would never bother to look for another product. But I know it's been tried and tested in the med and it's hopeless....
 
Firefly625 said:
I don't really think much works 100%. I still keep on with TK anti foul spray on my prop. Says gives 4 month protection and I think it's probably as good as it gets. Best bit is it gives a clear coat finish and goes on in seconds from a aerosol spray which cost £18 quid and a can does 2 seasons.. Certainly this year once again just 1 or 2 barnacles on the prop and that was it, such minimal growth I would never bother to look for another product. But I know it's been tried and tested in the med and it's hopeless....
Click to expand...

Didn't fork for me but, as you say, it went on very easily/quickly so I gave it a try.
Next year, at the moment, the plan is to polish them - nice and shiny - so as to attract the barnacles from a distance!!!
 
Z
Firefly625 said:
I don't really think much works 100%. I still keep on with TK anti foul spray on my prop. Says gives 4 month protection and I think it's probably as good as it gets. Best bit is it gives a clear coat finish and goes on in seconds from a aerosol spray which cost £18 quid and a can does 2 seasons.. Certainly this year once again just 1 or 2 barnacles on the prop and that was it, such minimal growth I would never bother to look for another product. But I know it's been tried and tested in the med and it's hopeless....
Click to expand...
TK worked on my props right up o July this year, when the sun and heat assisted worm cast growth. Had been good for 10 months up till then.
 
It seems the Health & Safety Police have prevented anyone selling PTFE bake on coaings in the EU. Not sure how I would fare with Customs ordering a product called Gun Finish from a US Gun parts supplier.

Variously reported attempts are using ...

Epoxy primer such as Interlux2000 with copper based AF
Various prop antifouls
Lanolin (doesn't work unless the boat is used at least weekly)
A highly adhering grease called Autol TOP 2000

As the props are now in my workshop I think I will try a combination approach.

Power brush to bare metal
Hydrochloric acid etch clean (brick cleaner) and rinse
Interlux 2000 (perhaps two coats)
Hard AF such a Trilux 33 Prop antifoul (3 coats)
Perhaps bake for an hour at 80oC (solid brass props) - advice please
A good coating of Autol Top 2000 after they are re=mounted.

I will do a test piece of the Trilux with the grease to check the paint doesn't dissolve under the grease.
Will report back next year if I haven't sold OB
 
superheat6k said:
It seems the Health & Safety Police have prevented anyone selling PTFE bake on coaings in the EU. Not sure how I would fare with Customs ordering a product called Gun Finish from a US Gun parts supplier.

Variously reported attempts are using ...

Epoxy primer such as Interlux2000 with copper based AF
Various prop antifouls
Lanolin (doesn't work unless the boat is used at least weekly)
A highly adhering grease called Autol TOP 2000

As the props are now in my workshop I think I will try a combination approach.

Power brush to bare metal
Hydrochloric acid etch clean (brick cleaner) and rinse
Interlux 2000 (perhaps two coats)
Hard AF such a Trilux 33 Prop antifoul (3 coats)
Perhaps bake for an hour at 80oC (solid brass props) - advice please
A good coating of Autol Top 2000 after they are re=mounted.

I will do a test piece of the Trilux with the grease to check the paint doesn't dissolve under the grease.
Will report back next year if I haven't sold OB
Click to expand...

Not a chance if you use your boat.
If you just leave it then the A/F will stay on.
It is the use of the prop that takes any coating off.
 
if fouling is so localised on props and - presumably - barnacles only take up residence when the prop is stationary, is it a practical idea to place a bag containing Approved Antifouling) round a prop using an underwater video camera, when you leave ?

If not a bag, then a neutral buoyancy plastic box/frame - rather like a butcher's or baker's tray.


Might be difficult on bigger boats, but on ones where you can see the props from the pontoon....



(Don't forget, I am a raggie ;) )
 
A lot of folks around here use Waxoyl to good effect. One or two coats and let it dry well before launching.

Cheapest and most effective treatment I've ever seen.
 
Given that there are many enthusiastic divers on here, I wonder that someone hasn't tried simply putting a plastic bag round each prop when leaving their boat.

Annual cost: £0.99 for a roll of bin liners from any supermarket.

In fact - you wouldn't really need to remove the bags when getting underway: just give give it some beans and the props should shred the bags quite satisfactorily. Err, should be nice and green provided you buy the compostable ones.
 
I used to do exactly that, large garden refuse sack arround each outdrive after use from the bathing platform, only forgot to remove them once - cast off and no drive as we drifted across the marine, slightly embarrassed but a long time ago!
 
Firefly625 said:
I don't really think much works 100%. I still keep on with TK anti foul spray on my prop. Says gives 4 month protection and I think it's probably as good as it gets. Best bit is it gives a clear coat finish and goes on in seconds from a aerosol spray which cost £18 quid and a can does 2 seasons.. Certainly this year once again just 1 or 2 barnacles on the prop and that was it, such minimal growth I would never bother to look for another product. But I know it's been tried and tested in the med and it's hopeless....
Click to expand...

Agree, but I was using the boat on a weekly basis, leaving the boat in a marina/on a mooring for weeks on end without use, then there is nothing to stop the critters setting up house on your props, short of those dry docking systems that cost an arm and a leg then again only suitable for certain craft.
 
Earlier this year after the winter, props were spotless, plenty of weed around her middle, which just washed off with a cheap pressure washer, although I have an inkling that the type of AF I use has something to do with that, the 25 litre tin of AF is a tad heavy, a friend told me it might be due to the amount of copper and zinc in it, I reminded him that we aren't allowed to use that stuff any more, especially military grade :rolleyes: I digress the point of these images is the fact I use the cheap TK rattle spray cans for my props, a full can per prop cost £36 and change, it appears to work for me.

059_zps5fea37af.jpg


060_zps49a44b1a.jpg


Weed washed off a treat, cleaned the whole bottom in less than a hour

068_zps55633c26.jpg


some barnacles underneath, a garden hoe put paid to them

069_zps63473a1b.jpg


071_zpsdc3d4463.jpg
 
Epervier,
That is quite impressive..
You probably save more than the cost of the spray in fuel if the rest of the fouling is anywhere to go by.
I am lucky in the fact that I can dry out regularly, but it is a faff if the tides and weather are wrong..
Ian
 
Those aren't barnacles

069_zps63473a1b.jpg
Click to expand...

.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.

These are barnacles

20140723_073028_Small_zps91b5cd3a.jpg



Seriously though
In the above pic, you can see how the Coppercoat is working.
The TK antifoul was applied to all the underwater metalwork about 2 months earlier.
Shame it doesn't work - it is really easy to apply.
I didn't expect it to though but it was worth a try.

I shall continue to rely on our cheap lift and scrubs to keep us going next season.
And, as I say, maybe I will polish them - to try and make them easier to clean.

Barnacles round the waterline are mainly due to the Jetski that is stored on the bathing platform - plus all the junk that we now have on board.
The waterline at the stern is about 2 inches above the top of the Coppercoat.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Share this page

Top