Blakes Paints... boat protection

GelProtect SFE200 increases the water resistance of GRP hulls and therefore reduces the risk of osmosis occurring. GelProtect SFE200 can be applied to new or old hulls where the laminate and gelcoat are suitable.

GelProtect SFE200 has an excellent reputation among anti osmosis treatments and you will find it easy and tolerant to apply under most conditions.

Compared with alternative products, it has higher build properties, faster overcoating times with a longer overcoating window, a relatively long pot life and is non carcinogenic.

Preparation

Correct surface preparation is vital to achieve longlasting protective finishes, so time spent at this stage is well invested.

New Boats

The new gelcoat should be cleaned thoroughly with Degreaser to remove mould release agents used in the construction of the vessel.

After degreasing, the surface should be abraded with 60-80 grade abrasive paper and washed off with fresh water. Alternatively the hull can be lightly slurry blasted. When dry the hull should have an even matt finish.

Used boats

Remove all old paint or antifouling by manual dry scraping, paint removers or, a far more efficient method, hull blasting. This method is quicker at removing the old paint layers and also provides a well keyed surface which will require little additional preparation. Whichever method is used the hull should have an even matt finish with no trace of previous coatings. Freshwater wash the hull and allow to dry.

Any minor cracks and blemishes to the hull should be filled after the first coat of GelProtect SFE200 with Epoxy Fillers. .

Application

From the moment the GelProtect SFE200 base and activator are mixed together the coating will start its chemical hardening reaction. Only mix as much as you can apply during the pot life stated on the data sheets. Higher temperatures will decrease the drying time and pot life.

Apply GelProtect SFE200 with a felt roller (if an improved surface finish is required, you can lay off the surface with a brush). GelProtect SFE200 should be applied at a minimum of 200 microns thickness per coat, this can either be measured using a wet film thickness gauge or by working out the surface area of the boat and calculating the correct amount of GelProtect SFE200 required per coat (1 litre of GelProtect SFE200 will cover 5m2 at 200 microns).

GelProtect SFE200 has a minimum application temperature of 10oC, if possible keep the job at a steady temperature with low humidity, best achieved under cover.

NOTE: GelProtect SFE200 must not be thinned.

Curing

GelProtect SFE200 should be touch dry within 6 to 8 hours. The instructions will give you a guide to overcoating times which are 8 hours to 5 days at 20oC.

If the temperature drops below 10oC GelProtect SFE200 is likely to stop curing. The curing will resume once the temperature increases again, however the inadequate curing temperature may cause amine sweating to occur. This is a condition where a thin film of amine carbonate forms on the surface of the epoxy and this amine sweat must be degreased or washed off with fresh water before overcoating.

Planning your overcoating times is essential if you want to apply the paint without rubbing down between coats.

Full cure of GelProtect SFE200 will take approximately 7 days at 20oC and it is recommended that the boat is not launched during this period as it could effect the curing of the coating.

Where 10oC cannot be achieved EPU may be used instead of GelProtect SFE200  

Osmosis treatment

Where a boat is diagnosed as having osmosis a full osmosis treatment is required. This involves the total removal of the gelcoat to enable the hull to effectively dry out. We recommend that full treatment is best carried out by an Approved Osmosis Treatment Centre.

Preparation Tools

Hand Power Tools

Grinders provide an inexpensive means of removing the gelcoat and preparing the surface. The disadvantage is the time taken to complete the task and the amount of dust produced. Protective clothing will be required by the operator, especially dust mask and eye protection.

Slurry or Grit Blasting

Either of these methods successfully remove the gelcoat and prepare the hull for the application of GelProtect. Any hull defects will become apparent during hull blasting, ie voids in the laminate. A professional person with the correct equipment will be required to carry out either of these methods.

Gelcoat Peeling

A gelcoat peeler planes away the gelcoat at a preset depth resulting in an even and smooth finish. This is generally accepted as being the most effective method for removing gelcoat. Once peeled the surface will require abrading with 40 grit grinding disks, or light slurry blasting to provide an adequate key for the GelProtect. This method requires a professional operator.

Preparation

Once the gelcoat has been removed, the hull should be steam cleaned, or at least pressure washed to remove salts and other contaminates which are present in the laminate due to osmosis. The salts and other contaminates will continue to come to the surface so it is necessary to repeatedly wash the hull (suggest once a day).

On average a hull can take between 4 weeks and 3 months before you can coat. Expert advice at this stage is essential to ensure that the hull is adequately prepared for the application of GelProtect SFE200.

Any minor cracks and blemishes to the hull should be filled after the first coat of GelProtect SFE200 with Epoxy Fillers.

Application

From the moment the GelProtect SFE200 base and activator are mixed together the coating will start its chemical hardening reaction. Only mix as much as you can apply in the pot life stated on the data sheets. Higher temperatures will decrease the drying time and pot life.

Do not thin GelProtect SFE200.

Apply GelProtect SFE200 with a felt roller (if an improved surface finish is required, you can lay off the surface with a brush).

GelProtect SFE200 should be applied at a minimum of 200 microns thickness per coat, this can either be measured by using a Wet Film Thickness Gauge or by working out the surface area of the boat and calculating the correct amount of GelProtect SFE200 required per coat (1 litre of GelProtect SFE200 will cover 5m2 at 200 microns).

GelProtect SFE200 has a minimum application temperature of 10oC, if possible keep the job at a steady temperature with low humidity, best achieved under cover.

Curing

GelProtect SFE200 should be touch dry within 6 to 8 hours. The instructions will give you a guide to overcoating times which are between 8 hours to 5 days at 20oC.

Planning your overcoating times is essential if you want to apply the paint without rubbing down between coats.

If the temperature drops below 10oC the GelProtect SFE200 is likely to stop curing. The curing will resume once the temperature increases again, however the inadequate curing temperature may cause amine sweating to occur. This is a condition where a thin film of amine carbomate forms on the surface of the epoxy and this amine sweat must be degreased or washed off with fresh water before overcoating.

Full cure of GelProtect SFE200 will take approximately 7 days @ 20oC and it is recommended that the boat is not launched during this period as it could effect the curing of the coating.

Osmosis Prevention & Treatment Tips

If GelProtect SFE200 application cannot be carried out indoors, it is advisable to erect a cover around the hull to provide protection from the elements.

If GelProtect SFE200 is being applied at 10oC, it is advisable to keep the product indoors at normal room temperature prior to use.

Move the tape line up with each coat to avoid a hard ridge at the waterline.

GelProtect SFE200 is produced in 2 colours so alternative layers of cream and grey are applied to guarantee total coverage with each coat.

Stir both the base and activator of GelProtect SFE200 thoroughly before mixing together. Once mixed together, again stir well to achieve an even consistency.

Do not thin GelProtect SFE200.

Thorough surface preparation and the careful following of all instructions is the key to a successful finish.