NEW GEAR

BEEFED UP COPPER

COPPER QUICK ANTIFOULING £74.89 (2.5l)

Do you recall the FLAG PTFE-based copper antifouling that was launched last year? Well, it's just been improved. The original was seen as a halfway house between epoxy-suspension treatments with a 10-year lifespan, and ordinary antifouling that has to be renewed every season. The FLAG PTFE used copper powder in a PTFE resin - it could be applied as paint, dried rapidly, and gave all the benefits of a 'copper bottom'. It lasted up to two years, and contained small amounts of biocide to deal with slime.

After a year of use the manufacturers realised that whilst the product worked the formula needed beefing up. It has now been relaunched as 'Copper Quick' and i snow much thicker, with a tweak in the biocide, and early results are very encouraging. Two coats are recommended for total protection for a year, but each subsequent coat should give another year's protection, and you can put on as many as you like. FLAG products are distributed by Bainbridge Marine, who will be offering a free set of coveralls with every tin of Copper Quick sold this spring. We'll be trying some ourselves this season.

Contact: Bainbridge Marine - Tel: 01489 776030 - Web: www.bainbridgemarine.co.uk

BEAT THE RUST

FLAG RUST CONVERTER £6.00

Also from FLAG is a one-pot paint for dealing with rust. The paint is self priming water-based resin, which FLAG tell us has a low odour, is quick drying and environmentally friendly. The molecules of the paint incorporate linkages, which lock them onto rust and combine them with the coatings, preventing further degredation.

Because the paint contains no solvents, and has a good, flexible adhereance, it can also be used on plastic and other materials for a uniform finish. The brushes can be washed out in water, and the paint is said to leave only minimal marks. However, if it is used underwater, such as on keels or other permanently immersed metals, it will need to be overcoated.
Contact: FLAG Paints Ltd - Tel: 01621 785173 - Web: www.flagfinishes.co.uk
 

Practical Boat Owner - April 2007 - www.pbo.co.uk