First Application - March 13 2013 This will be an on-going journal of how
the product works for us. We used CopperPoxy many years ago and
got great protection from that for 11 years from the San Francisco
area, down the west coast and through the Sea of Cortez. We later
tried to use copper powder in standard epoxy. That DID NOT work at
ALL! After being on the hard for a long time
we needed a new bottom coating and have decided to try the
COPPERCOAT. It is also a metallic copper based product that is
carried by a water based epoxy. It is advertised to last 10 years.
In early February I contacted a number
of yards in the San Francisco area and asked for quotes to apply the
Coppercoat. We decided that the quote from the Napa Valley Marina was
good and it would be a fun place to be on the hard. On March 13 2013 they moved our boat
into a covered shed to apply the Coppercoat bottom coating. The
application process is a bit more stringent than other bottom paints. 
I have to say that we were VERY
impressed with the application by Napa Valley Marina! They took their
time, contacted the manufacturer for more information on details of
the application and were happy to have us around during all of the
work. I am stating that the product was very strictly applied
according to the directions, in every way. Please see our application video at; Coppercoat application 
Or copy the below link into your browser http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1EqOBTNNhVc&feature=share&list=TLBRZHHEf-U5s Our contacts; COPPERCOAT USA, Jim Edwards –
www.coppercoatusa.com
Napa Valley Marina, -
www.napavalleymarina.com On March 26, 2013 we splashed the boat.
On April 11, we talked to Jim Edwards
at the Strictly Sail boat show in Oakland. I asked what was required
if we had our boat hauled out for extended time. I specifically asked
about something like a 6 month in the water and 6 months out type of
usage. He stated that it would be good to pressure wash the bottom
both on haul out, and just before splashing. So that is how we plan
to handle it. |
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Note, I have not included every email
as some do not apply to the coating itself or this problem. I also
removed some names. Where I did an “XX” will show up.
On August 14, 2013 we hauled out at the
Napa Valley marina. During this haul out, I took video of the process
and how well we think the CopperCoat has held up. We know it's not a
long term review yet, but wanted to make sure we document all aspects
of our use of the product.
The first thing we noticed after we had
good access to the pressure washed bottom was, WE HAD BLISTERS! You
can view the video we made of this problem at our Youtube page at;
Once we were back to our home base,
with Guenevere safe in the storage yard, I contacted Coppercoat. The
following is a transcript of our e-mail exchange;
My
first Email to Coppercoat;
We talked at the all sail expo in Oakland. I am the owner with
the Nor'Sea
27 that had Napa Valley marina apply Coppercoat on
March 13 or so. When we
talked, I said I would post reports on the
system.
You can see our first report on our web page
at;
http://www.svguenevere.com/2013/copper/index.html
There
is also a link on that page to a YouTube video I did on
the
application process.
On August 14 we were hauled out.
The pressure wash went very well and all of
the system looked like
it worked well, even if it was only a short time in
the water.
During this cruise, the boat was in salt water for a few of
months
and then in fresh water for a couple of months.
BUT, on
inspection I have found many blisters! The boat had a barrier
coat
under your system and was out of the water, in the desert
from about 2
August, 2010 until March of this year.
On
close inspection, I see that the blisters seem to be between layers
of
the Coppercoat. I have taken a number of photos as close as I
can that I can
send you if you would like to see them.
Do
you, or can you supply very small kits? On the order of half pint
size?
To repair blisters.
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The
Reply;
Hello Greg,
Please send me any
pictures of the blisters, also can you please provide
me with the
paint application schedule from Napa Marine if you know it.
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I sent a DVD, photos, and the samples, I
received back;
I
looked at the video and have talked to XX at Napa Valley Marine. He
remembers that they sent out for isopropyl alcohol for thinning. He
is going to talk to his painter today to learn more about how they
thinned the coating.
In
looking at the pictures and examining the chips you sent it appears
that the issue was between coats of the Coppercoat. That means that
something was trapped between the coats of Coppercoat. I want to talk
to the painter to see how and when they thinned the Coppercoat. This
is where we are going to find the cause of the blisters.As
long as the bubbles are between the coats of Coppercoat it isn’t a
very big issue. It is more a cosmetic thing than a major issue. I
would use the boat for a while and see if any more blisters appear.
Don’t pop any more blisters at this time. In
the future I will send out a kit of Coppercoat to either Napa Valley
or yourself and walk them through a fix for the problem. I am very
glad it isn’t blisters between the barrier coat and the Coppercoat.
As
soon as I talk to XX
again I will let you know what he said. |
I explained that we are no longer in
the Bay area and he offered to send the kit directly to me. I asked
for a delay in sending the kit as it's the monsoon season here and I
was unsure of the shelf life of the kit.
The reply;
The
Coppercoat only comes in one size kit, however it is very easily
mixed in small batches.
Please
send me a shipping address and I will send you a kit.If
there is Coppercoat under the blisters it shouldn’t need 4 full
coats. It might only need 2 or maybe 3 coats to fill in the areas. I
am still waiting to hear from the painter at Napa Valley. I think
that what probably happened was that they may have mixed in alcohol
in the roller trays after mixing the 3 parts together. That makes it
difficult to properly mix in the alcohol and I suspect that some was
on the surface and another coat was rolled over that and that is what
caused the blisters, it is either that or small drips of water. I
will let you know what I hear from them as soon as I can.
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So,
That is where we stand at this point.
Jill
and I are discussing our plans for our next adventures afloat. With
the truck and trailer proven, we are open to most options across the
country for a splash. We are sure it will be salt water, but beyond
that, our options are open. |
