Stainless Steel trim tabs....antifoul or leave?

[Firefly625]

That is the question.... simple really..

...OK, bit more background, preparing boat for fresh coat of antifoul and trim tabs fairly heavily coated with old antifoul so decided to take those back to bare SS, hard work it was too. Went to swindlery to get a pot of primocon and explained to chap what I was doing and his reply was why don't I just leave them bare stainless steel......when I quized him why weed and all manner of sea life wouldn't grow on my trim tabs he seemed to go a little vague, so my question is why wouldn't I antifoul them as surly they will get covered with weed?!

 

[paultallett]

Hi Firefly,

I painted my SS tabs with ultra speed for a year, then left them bare the following year......no contest, I know the antifoul comes off after a while, put it was still better than leaving them un painted!!

So this year they will be getting scrapped back and a couple of fresh coats again.

Regards Paul.

 

[mjf]

That is the question.... simple really..

...OK, bit more background, preparing boat for fresh coat of antifoul and trim tabs fairly heavily coated with old antifoul so decided to take those back to bare SS, hard work it was too. Went to swindlery to get a pot of primocon and explained to chap what I was doing and his reply was why don't I just leave them bare stainless steel......when I quized him why weed and all manner of sea life wouldn't grow on my trim tabs he seemed to go a little vague, so my question is why wouldn't I antifoul them as surly they will get covered with weed?!

Hi we have had this before a while ago.

Fairline paint theirs whilst Princess do not.

I have left mine S/S; and the growth easily power washes off annually and a quick polish up does the job for the next season.

 

[omega2]

Cannot speak for others but ours are anti-fouled, with the same paint as the rest of the boat, looking along our waterline we are fairly clean after 12 months, but the upper surfaces of the trim tabs looks like a garden. Got be something to do with lack of water flow over them, not looked at the under surface.

 

[DavidJ]

Cannot speak for others but ours are anti-fouled, with the same paint as the rest of the boat.

Second that! Done it like that for years.

 

[Firefly625]

Thanks for all the replies, just glade I have received differing answers....means my question wasn't as daft as I thought it was!!!!!!!!!!

....I think I am going to go with a coat primocon and 2 coats of antifoul for my nicely burnished trim tabs .... have decided on (and purchased) International Inter-speed Ultra in Navy Blue as I have used on my previous boat and had good success....was going to use Cruiser Uno until someone on here commented on its v poor performance.. Thanks again

 

[omega2]

Thanks for all the replies, just glade I have received differing answers....means my question wasn't as daft as I thought it was!!!!!!!!!!

....I think I am going to go with a coat primocon and 2 coats of antifoul for my nicely burnished trim tabs .... have decided on (and purchased) International Inter-speed Ultra in Navy Blue as I have used on my previous boat and had good success....was going to use Cruiser Uno until someone on here commented on its v poor performance.. Thanks again

jotun this would be better for you and cheaper

 

[Firefly625]

Oddly first time I have heard of Jotun. Have looked on website, they make a few differing antifouls...as I have said I have already purchased what I will use this year, but was surprised as some of the descriptions from the Jotun website...e.g, will last 3 seasons....? can it be true? If so...perhaps the way to go next year?

/www.shepherdmarine.com/antifouling

 

[omega2]

Oddly first time I have heard of Jotun. Have looked on website, they make a few differing antifouls...as I have said I have already purchased what I will use this year, but was surprised as some of the descriptions from the Jotun website...e.g, will last 3 seasons....? can it be true? If so...perhaps the way to go next year?

/www.shepherdmarine.com/antifouling

speak to Malcolm Johnson at Shepherd marine he will put you straight. Honest to goodness paint, used widely in the commercial field.

 

[Firefly625]

Thanks Omega2 for the nod on Jotun, will investigate further for next year.

 

[mont]

Antifoul them after an etching coat. Tried un-painted in Uk one season - nightmare !

 

[whisper]

" Tried un-painted in Uk one season - nightmare !"

Agreed - same with us. However, as we've got a drying berth we can keep on top of the growth during the season. Wife's wooden spatulas are very useful!!