Playtime
Well-Known Member
Has anyone used Symblast for antifoul removal and epoxy/coppercoat application? They operate along the south coast, based in Poole. If the answer is yes, any comments on their quality of work etc. Thanks
Symblast
- Thread starter Playtime
- Start date
rwoofer
Well-Known Member
Used them and would recommend again.
GSL
Well-Known Member
Used them and very happy, only did the blasting off of antifoul prior to epoxy and then Coppercoat being applied, did a great job.
rhodgkinson
New Member
I used them to blast away old antifoul down to gelcoat and treat with an epoxy seal then coppercoat about 6 years ago shortly after they started up. They seemed to go a good job at the time but:
After a season the coppercoat had so many blisters over the metal part of the keel that they painted over it with a primer and advised using conventional anti foul on the keel.
The coppercoat isn't as effective as antifoul (or they didn't add the prescribed amount of copper to the mix).
Before launching I seem to spend as much time rubbing down the coppercoat surface with a rough scotchpad as I spent painting on antifoul.
However:
It does mean that I dont get a build up of antifoul, which after a number of years will start flaking off as you roll on the next coat.
I am able to mitigate its ineffectiveness by brushing the underwater surfaces with a Subscrub (http://www.force4.co.uk/1283/Force-4-Sub-Scrub-Cleaning-Kit.html) every time I go out.
Hope this helps.
Richard.
After a season the coppercoat had so many blisters over the metal part of the keel that they painted over it with a primer and advised using conventional anti foul on the keel.
The coppercoat isn't as effective as antifoul (or they didn't add the prescribed amount of copper to the mix).
Before launching I seem to spend as much time rubbing down the coppercoat surface with a rough scotchpad as I spent painting on antifoul.
However:
It does mean that I dont get a build up of antifoul, which after a number of years will start flaking off as you roll on the next coat.
I am able to mitigate its ineffectiveness by brushing the underwater surfaces with a Subscrub (http://www.force4.co.uk/1283/Force-4-Sub-Scrub-Cleaning-Kit.html) every time I go out.
Hope this helps.
Richard.
alandee
Well-Known Member
I would also recommend Symblast. They did a good job, cleaned the boat down afterwards, and I will use them again when the time comes.
BlueChip
Well-Known Member
[ QUOTE ]
I used them to blast away old antifoul down to gelcoat and treat with an epoxy seal then coppercoat about 6 years ago shortly after they started up. They seemed to go a good job at the time but:
After a season the coppercoat had so many blisters over the metal part of the keel that they painted over it with a primer and advised using conventional anti foul on the keel.
The coppercoat isn't as effective as antifoul (or they didn't add the prescribed amount of copper to the mix).
Before launching I seem to spend as much time rubbing down the coppercoat surface with a rough scotchpad as I spent painting on antifoul.
However:
It does mean that I dont get a build up of antifoul, which after a number of years will start flaking off as you roll on the next coat.
I am able to mitigate its ineffectiveness by brushing the underwater surfaces with a Subscrub (http://www.force4.co.uk/1283/Force-4-Sub-Scrub-Cleaning-Kit.html) every time I go out.
Hope this helps.
Richard.
[/ QUOTE ]
Uncannily similar to my own experiences of Coppercoat applied by Symblast
I used them to blast away old antifoul down to gelcoat and treat with an epoxy seal then coppercoat about 6 years ago shortly after they started up. They seemed to go a good job at the time but:
After a season the coppercoat had so many blisters over the metal part of the keel that they painted over it with a primer and advised using conventional anti foul on the keel.
The coppercoat isn't as effective as antifoul (or they didn't add the prescribed amount of copper to the mix).
Before launching I seem to spend as much time rubbing down the coppercoat surface with a rough scotchpad as I spent painting on antifoul.
However:
It does mean that I dont get a build up of antifoul, which after a number of years will start flaking off as you roll on the next coat.
I am able to mitigate its ineffectiveness by brushing the underwater surfaces with a Subscrub (http://www.force4.co.uk/1283/Force-4-Sub-Scrub-Cleaning-Kit.html) every time I go out.
Hope this helps.
Richard.
[/ QUOTE ]
Uncannily similar to my own experiences of Coppercoat applied by Symblast
symblastpaul
New Member
Dear Richard, would you mind contacting myself concerning this thread as i would like to know what happened and i can't find your details, many thanks,
Paul.
Paul.
symblastpaul
New Member
Dear Sir, perhaps you would be kind enough to contact myself concerning your experience with the Copper Coat treatment of your yacht, many thanks,
Paul.
Paul.
Sans Bateau
Well-Known Member
Symblast did the antifoul removal on Galadriel 5 years ago. Paul supplied us with the ME100 epoxy and the Coppercoat. His work was very professional, the yard manager commented how tidy he left the place when he finished. Paul also gave us a lot of helpful information about the application of the epoxy and the Copercoat.
I have no connection with Symblast, but a good company deserves a good recommendation, I would not hesitate to use him again.
On the point of Coppercoat, in some waters it does not work as well as others. Sometimes I despair with mine, only to walk along the pontoon to see just as much weed hanging from boats with regular antifoul. However whilst I have to blast off the slime and weed I have had no crustaceous growth in 5 years. Out of interest I have been told by Coppercoat at SIBS that in is not necessary to abrade every year.
I have no connection with Symblast, but a good company deserves a good recommendation, I would not hesitate to use him again.
On the point of Coppercoat, in some waters it does not work as well as others. Sometimes I despair with mine, only to walk along the pontoon to see just as much weed hanging from boats with regular antifoul. However whilst I have to blast off the slime and weed I have had no crustaceous growth in 5 years. Out of interest I have been told by Coppercoat at SIBS that in is not necessary to abrade every year.
BlueChip
Well-Known Member
PM sent with details and when you let me have your email address I will send you photos
symblastpaul
New Member
I am getting fed up with posts concerning copper Coat and its performance or lack of being possibly due to the application company not adding the prescribed amount of Copper to the mix. Copper Coat comes as a kit of three parts, you open each part and mix together, the amount of copper powder is not adjustable nor tweaked by the applicator, when i supply copper coat for pad areas (normally less than half a kit)for ease I just give 1 part of each ingredient-the actual amount in a litre kit supplied by Aquarius is 1;1;0.9 and so is less than what I would mix for a small patch.
seadog30
Well-Known Member
Satisfied customer
With 15 years of old antifoul my surveyor strongly recomended that we get the boat back to the gel coat to ensure that the lumps and bumps in the antifoul were not due to a problem in the hull.
Symblast came at very short notice, the two guys worked like slaves on one of the hotest days of the year and had the 30 foot triple keel done in about 4 hours. The resultant surface was a slightly roughed up gel coat that was ideal for further finishing. The guys totaly masked up the boat so that there was no "over spray" on the boats either side and they cleaned up the site so well that even the yard owner said that he would have no problems recomending them.
I would certainly use this company again.
Well done Symblast
With 15 years of old antifoul my surveyor strongly recomended that we get the boat back to the gel coat to ensure that the lumps and bumps in the antifoul were not due to a problem in the hull.
Symblast came at very short notice, the two guys worked like slaves on one of the hotest days of the year and had the 30 foot triple keel done in about 4 hours. The resultant surface was a slightly roughed up gel coat that was ideal for further finishing. The guys totaly masked up the boat so that there was no "over spray" on the boats either side and they cleaned up the site so well that even the yard owner said that he would have no problems recomending them.
I would certainly use this company again.
Well done Symblast
Desert Rambler
New Member
Used them recently to remove old antifouling at Shamrock Quay, Southampton. They did a brilliant job, left the yard area and boat clean and ready for prepping for coppercoat. Price was reasonable, Paul called me the following day to make sure everything was OK. Brilliant service, highly recommended.
Talulah
Well-Known Member
Paul - I guess it's more case of the application rather than the mix. I have applied Coppercoat myself to a previous boat and the difference from one coat to the next can be clearly seen. I suggest (and you may do this anyway) that after every application you use a digital camera and record the environmental conditions at the time and whether or not all coats were applied on the same day etc. Record advice given to the client etc. At least you then have something to come back with.
I have used yourselves for blasting off antifouling and getting back to the gelcoat. I repeat what others have said. An excellent job. Boat and work area cleaned up to a high standard. (Important as some companies are not allowed by some yards due to the mess they leave behind.)
I would thoroughly recommend yourselves again.
seadog30
Well-Known Member
After upgrading to a Seadog 30 last year I could not face several weeks in the boatyard with a chisel. I called Symblast, two guys turned up on time and fully sheeted over my boat, the ground and the boats either side. They worked like slaves on the hotest day of the year and had the job finished in about 4 hours. Even the boatyard staff remarked on the good job done and how clean they left the area.
If you want a "proper job" Symblast every time.
If you want a "proper job" Symblast every time.