Frequently Asked Questions What is the lifespan of COPPERCOAT? The life of COPPERCOAT depends on a variety of factors such as water temperature and salinity. However, typically in Northern Europe one should expect effective performance for at least 10 years, whereas in the Caribbean, 8 to 10 years would be more normal. Many of the first boats treated in 1991 are still performing well after 15 years! With an average thickness of 12 mils of COPPERCOAT being applied in a treatment, and a typical erosion rate of less than ¼ mil per year, it is easy to appreciate how this coating offers such long lasting and effective protection. Is COPPERCOAT expensive when compared to traditional anti-fouls? No! Applying COPPERCOAT is possibly the most cost-effective way to protect a submersed surface from marine growth. Over the treatments’ typical life of 10 years, the cost in product terms alone will commonly be only 15 to 30% of the product cost associated with conventional single-season anti-fouls (depending on which brand you use). This does not take into account additional items such as lift costs, storage fees, labor, inflation, etc. which make a COPPERCOAT treatment even more financially attractive (why pay to have your boat ashore every year if you don’t need to?). When compared to using a standard anti-foul paint, customers with a COPPERCOAT-treated boat will typically break even in year 2 and then enjoy many years of “free” anti-fouling protection. COPPERCOAT is the combination of a specially developed two-part epoxy resin and 99% pure copper. Each 1½ liter kit of COPPERCOAT contains 4.4 lbs of ultra fine copper powder, the maximum allowed by law. On immersion, seawater attacks the exposed pure copper powder, causing the formation of cuprous oxide. This highly effective anti-fouling agent deters growth until the surface degrades further to become cupric hydrochloride. This final copper form is highly unstable, and is washed away by the movement of the yacht, thereby removing any accumulating silt or slime. This automatically reveals a fresh copper-rich surface whereby the process recommences. Can COPPERCOAT be applied to all types of boats? Yes. COPPERCOAT can be successfully applied to virtually all craft, irrespective of their size and usage, hence is sold to both the commercial and leisure sectors. COPPERCOAT is also supplied to underwater structures such as tide-powered turbines. How is COPPERCOAT applied and what tools are needed? Specifically designed to be user friendly, this solvent-free non-toxic coating should be mixed thoroughly, one unit at a time, and simply applied to the prepared surface by roller or spray. For application by roller, ¼” nap roller (simulated mohair) sleeves should be used, although some high quality foam rollers are also suitable. The recommended rollers are available from COPPERCOAT USA. For application by spray a conventional air-fed (not airless) system should be used. A complete treatment is usually achieved within four thin coats, applied 'wet on tacky' in a single day. For full details please see the application instructions. Does COPPERCOAT cause any problems with regards to electrolytic/galvanic action? No. With the resin carrier insulating each copper sphere, the final coating is inert and non-conductive. A current cannot pass through COPPERCOAT and this coating does not cause or promote electrolysis or cathodic decay. Consequently COPPERCOAT can be safely applied to metal structures such as iron keels and steel or aluminum craft (after the application of an appropriate epoxy primer). The property of electrical non-conduction in metallic powders including copper was first discovered in 1890 by Eduard Branley and is known as the "Branley Effect". Sacrificial anodes should be fitted in the usual manner. Can COPPERCOAT be applied safely to boats with outboard motors or stern-drives? Yes. Applying COPPERCOAT to the hull of a boat will have no effect to an outboard motor or stern-drive. As mentioned in the answer to the previous question COPPERCOAT does not cause or promote galvanic corrosion. What color is COPPERCOAT? Freshly applied COPPERCOAT dries to a rich copper brown. After immersion COPPERCOAT oxidizes to a dark, verdigris green color. This color change commonly takes several months, depending on water conditions. Because of the sheer quantity of pure copper in COPPERCOAT, it is simply not possible to produce the coating in any other colors. Does COPPERCOAT protect against Osmosis? The inherent waterproofing qualities of the epoxy ensure that a treatment of COPPERCOAT will help prevent osmosis in GRP craft and offer extra protection against corrosion in steel vessels. However for an even greater degree of protection, additional anti-osmosis epoxy can be applied as an undercoat. Can COPPERCOAT be applied on top of epoxy barrier coatings? Yes. How do I repair a damaged hull treated with COPPERCOAT? COPPERCOAT is the toughest and most abrasion resistant anti-foul available (as demonstrated by the TABAR abrasion test) and therefore is extremely durable. However, in the event that the coating is damaged it can be simply touched-in. How long does COPPERCOAT take to apply? A treatment of COPPERCOAT is typically applied in one day, with the multiple coats being applied “wet on tacky”. What maintenance is necessary? Correctly applied COPPERCOAT will continue to deter marine fouling for many years. The annual chore of repainting associated with conventional anti-fouling paints is no longer necessary. If, over the months, a slight accumulation of slime does appear, this can be removed by pressure washing or brushing. An annual wash or brush is recommended. Eventually, usually after several years, the surface may benefit from being lightly abraded with a fine grade of "wet and dry" paper or a burnishing pad to expose fresh copper. Is any special care needed when lifting a COPPERCOAT treated boat? No. Unlike most other anti-fouls COPPERCOAT is a permanent, highly abrasion resistant coating and therefore merely lifting will not cause any damage to the coating. Is COPPERCOAT suitable for use on a racing yacht? Yes. As COPPERCOAT is a blend of pure copper powder and two-part epoxy resin, the coating is both strong and waterproof. After application the coating can be burnished to give a very smooth racing finish, which (as the coating is non-absorbent) is the equivalent of dry-sailing a boat – but with the advantage of anti-fouling protection allowing the boat to be kept afloat. Will the smooth COPPERCOAT surface make my boat go faster? Yes. The smooth surface provided by COPPERCOAT epoxy anti-foul helps any boat to perform to its' full potential. While traditional anti-fouls absorb moisture and become rough over time, COPPERCOAT retains its' impermeable and smooth surface. In fact, many owners experience an increase in speed after applying COPPERCOAT. See the report from Sunseeker Middle East in our news section as an independent example. Is COPPERCOAT suitable for trailer sailors/lifting keels and dry moorings? Yes. COPPERCOAT is a permanent epoxy coating and therefore unlike traditional anti-fouls, is not affected by drying out. COPPERCOAT is the perfect choice for dry moorings and trailered boats as it is highly abrasion resistant. How environmentally friendly is COPPERCOAT? Classified as non-leaching, this highly effective coating is considerably kinder to the environment than conventional self-eroding anti-fouls. The complete treatment is US EPA approved and has been tested and approved by the Health and Safety Executive, in compliance with UK and EU law. Holding HSE Certificate Number 7532 COPPERCOAT is fully approved for use by both professional tradesmen and the general public. COPPERCOAT is tin-free and fully complies with current (2001) International Maritime Organization (IMO) resolution MEPC.102(48). Within the UK COPPERCOAT is used by the Environment Agency. Is COPPERCOAT unique? Launched over 15 years ago, COPPERCOAT is the original long-life copper rich epoxy anti-foul. As with most successful products, lesser imitations have appeared in the intervening period. In spite of bold claims, products such as Cupro FF, CopperGuard, Cu17, Halcyon 5000, Copperbot 2000, Cop-R-poxy (to name but a few) have all failed and been discontinued. COPPERCOAT is unique, having been continually available since 1991 and is the only coating to have a well proven (not theoretical!) lifespan of 10 years plus. This helps to explain why over 30,000 customers in more than 40 countries currently use COPPERCOAT. Where/how can I purchase COPPERCOAT? To discuss or place an order please call us on 1-321-514-9197 or email info@coppercoatusa.com. Payment can be made by credit/debit card, check or transfer. Please contact us for immediate assistance if you have any other questions! Application Instructions Coppercoat USA News Click here to send an e-mail to info@coppercoatusa.com?subject=I%20wish%20to%20place%20or%20discuss%20an%20order shapeimage_1_link_0 shapeimage_6_link_2 shapeimage_1_link_1
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