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Old 19-06-2020, 11:21   #1
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Can I make my own copper coating?

Can I mix up my own copper coating? One part epoxy resin- 2 parts copper powder?
One coat?
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Old 19-06-2020, 11:36   #2
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Re: Can I make my own copper coating?

Sure, but it’ll more than likely be less than disappointing at preventing fouling.
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Old 19-06-2020, 11:39   #3
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Re: Can I make my own copper coating?

Short answer, no. Copper coat is more than powdered copper added to epoxy. Question has come up before and paint experts chimed to explain the technical why not.
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Old 19-06-2020, 12:20   #4
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Re: Can I make my own copper coating?

As long as you know the correct formulation, no problem!


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Old 19-06-2020, 12:25   #5
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Re: Can I make my own copper coating?

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As long as you know the correct formulation, no problem!


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What is it?
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Old 19-06-2020, 12:30   #6
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Re: Can I make my own copper coating?

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Can I mix up my own copper coating?
Absolutely you can! It won't work as an anti fouling coating of course and now you've got an entire boat hull encased in epoxy that you'll want to remove, but hey, it's only money!
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Old 19-06-2020, 12:33   #7
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Re: Can I make my own copper coating?

Wouldn't the epoxy encapsulate the copper rendering it inert? To answer your question, I don't think you will accomplish anything trying to out think the chemists that work for paint companies. What I do think will happen is you will have a hard/impossible to remove coating that will not accomplish what you expect. But...what do I know?
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Old 19-06-2020, 13:03   #8
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Re: Can I make my own copper coating?

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What is it?


A proprietary formulation used by the manufacturer.

Some sort of a water soluble resin with a cuprous oxide suspended in it.
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Old 19-06-2020, 14:02   #9
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Re: Can I make my own copper coating?

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A proprietary formulation used by the manufacturer.

Some sort of a water soluble resin with a cuprous oxide suspended in it.

Nailed!


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Old 19-06-2020, 14:41   #10
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Re: Can I make my own copper coating?

Just be sure to get the proper regulatory approval, and you'll be all set.
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Old 19-06-2020, 14:49   #11
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Re: Can I make my own copper coating?

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Absolutely you can! It won't work as an anti fouling coating of course and now you've got an entire boat hull encased in epoxy that you'll want to remove, but hey, it's only money!
Huh! I quiet like the idea of having my bottom encapsulated in epoxy (barrier coat) , why on earth would I want to remove it, it’s what keeps the water out
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Old 19-06-2020, 15:15   #12
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Re: Can I make my own copper coating?

I always thought that Coppercoat only functioned as an anti foul once a layer of the encapsulating epoxy is “burnished” off to expose the copper particles and that this process needs to be repeated annually.

So why can’t that be the case with another brand of epoxy and copper powder?
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Old 19-06-2020, 15:57   #13
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Re: Can I make my own copper coating?

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I always thought that Coppercoat only functioned as an anti foul once a layer of the encapsulating epoxy is “burnished” off to expose the copper particles and that this process needs to be repeated annually.

So why can’t that be the case with another brand of epoxy and copper powder?


It could be if you could get a suitable soft epoxy to burnish without a da sander.

It might work, it might not. But I understand the results with the real product are the same
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Old 19-06-2020, 16:08   #14
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Re: Can I make my own copper coating?

Coppercoat seems to be like Ultrasonic anti fouling, some swear by it, many say it’s ineffective.
And no, I haven’t had either, too many negative reports of both for me to try.
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Old 19-06-2020, 16:35   #15
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Re: Can I make my own copper coating?

I'm trying that right now. We made our own "copper coat" and launched last September. It hasn't been long enough to say much, but we had barnacles all over the "control" area, on the sterns, and so far nothing on the hulls, which have been covered in our copper concoction. Mind you, we're in Halifax Nova Scotia, so we haven't even had a summer yet. There is some slime, which I understand is normal for Copperbot too.

Though, as I said, the "control" area was quite infested, so I'm hopeful. I'll not share our formula, or our methods, until we know it works. Then I'll be happy to share.

It was quite labour intensive to do. It was polished like a new copper penny, for about 2 days, when it turned brown, like an older penny. It has never turned green though, which is interesting.
I'll not argue the fact that it's expensive. It cost us about $1000 US in copper alone, not counting the "special" resin, which is not water based.

However, I'm just that kind of guy who has to try it, when folks tell me it can't be done. If someone else has done it, I'm pretty sure the rest of us can too. If it works, it will cost us about half of what Copperbot would have. If it doesn't, I'll be giving Copperbot a try.

Cheers, and good luck.
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