self-adhesive copper: ready to roll (unroll?)

T

tcm

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The massive cost of liftouts, and (more importantly) the fact that all antifoulings have so far proven ineffectual against rapant barnacles in our part of the marina has led me to set about coating the lower hull with self-adhesive copper sheet.

The self-adhesive copper has the consistency of very thick gaffer tape, and arrives in long rolls about 100 mm wide. I have over 110 sq metres to cover. i got the stuff from http:// http://www.bcaviation.co.uk/paint_stripper/marine_paint_stripper.htm

Pic when we get going



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heard about the stick-on squares of copper with a price tag to make your eyes water. what is the cost of this stuff? is it made for antifouling or is it designed for another purpose and if so do you know how pure it is?

sounds as though it could also be useful for connecting the earth for SSB.

p.s. pity about their website!

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Removing the antifouling

Had to strip all the antifouling off my Ballad back in 1999. Tried just about every chemical stripper I could find. Most of them removed something, but none of them removed enough to be worthwhile. In the end, I hired a slurry blaster, and stripped the lot off in an afternoon. I did the job myself - not too difficult, but you have to concentrate or you will take the gel coat off as well.

I did the same job on another boat about 15 years ago & used silica sand - excellent results. Unfortunately, silica sand is no longer available in the UK (not good for the lungs), so used grit made from blast furnace slag - not nearly as good, but it did the job.


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Is it designed for underwater use? Praps try keeping a small submerged bit stuck to a piece of grp for a period of time to see how the glue lasts would be a good idea?

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Re: GL and HF

it's about 1kg psqm - the same as a few layers of antifoul. 100kilos all in. Much less than if a load of barnacles hang on. and not much relative to boat weight of 34 t.

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Re: animal experiments

I agree it would be good idea to do a test first, so rather than try it myself I have decided to experiment on erm a Leopard...

It works ok on anuvver boat, even at 38 knots .

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wouldn't be terribly good antifoul if it weren't designed for underwater use! /forums/images/icons/laugh.gif

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Hi, were you supplied with instructions?
Assuming it is clear acrylic adhesive; Can you tell me what color it is under
the adhesive?

Althougt copper is the best antifoulent, there were many costly mistakes
made; In light of your suppliers poor web site I'm concerned and I would be
happy to review their instructions.

Awaiting your answer.
Muzaffer


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No instructions - they just make copper foil. It's pure copper, thin enough to adapt to the varying contours of a boat, about .1mm thick I think, can be cut with scissors. They'll make any foil you like, as far as i know. peel it off, wham it on. If you look through the adhesive, its copper coloured.

Under the guidance of a venerable old chap, they have applied a self-adhesive to one side, with protective peel-off paper, and he did the first boat, his own, a sailing yacht.

After searching aorund on here, there's anothe contributor who has applied the stuff to a 40ish foot powerboat, and it stayerd on no problem at 38 knots.

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Hi TCM,
Thank You for the information.
The old chap will be a great help to you. Before my first post i thought of
offering you my help, but unfortunately i can not get away at this time.

I'm going to send you a PM with some information You might want to keep
in mind, but i need some more details.

1- Do You plan to use the foil on Your struts, rudder etc?
2- Assuming your thru-hull fittings are bronze, are they bonded or not to the
running gear?

I think your expectations are modest, You should get a satisfying 4-5 years
from Your project.

Sincerely
Muzaffer

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yes, i don't see any reason why the stuff can't go on everything that the antifoul went on - not prop and propshaft tho.

the thru-hull fittings in bronze and bonded to running gear - not sure Should they be? You tell me.



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Hi, You are right about cladding everything.
It would be nice if You could get same truble free
service from Your prop & shaft.

Regarding thru-hull fittings, I prefer them to be
bonded.

With Your project, keep in mind the most important
thing to remember is, not to have any contact with
les noble metals such as zinc etc. and copper should
be wrinkle free as possible for longivety.

Please tell me if your thru-hull fittings are mushroom
type and what size?

Regards
Muzaffer

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