What stuff or not at all on a lead keel

TeddyDiver

Gollywobbler
Joined
Dec 25, 2007
Messages
2,647
Reaction score
152
Location
Finland/Norway
Second thoughts about applying antifouling on a lead keel. My plan was to primer with epoxy, apply coppercoat and some soft antifouling on top (the same manner as the hull). The second thought was about lead, does it actually need anything against marine growth or, as I reckon, for the protection of the environment becouse of what it is, lead..
 
Lead does not stop marine growth.
 
Whenever I skin dive for dinner, I stuff my pocket with lead from shore casters on the way back to shore.
Some of it is so covered with marine growth as to only be recognizable by a bit of line hanging from it.
Incredible that something so toxic to humans could support such proliferous marine life.
Ok, I know a few humans that seem to thrive on poison too!
 
yet some lead compound pigmented paints, are/were toxic to marine growth ?
 
Lead oxide was a popular, but toxic white paint pigment years ago, but was replaced by Titanium oxide, which is relatively non-toxic. But I can recall old timers telling me that the white lead paint did not support mouldy mildew growth, which is not the case with white Titania.
 
So better to stick in the original plan then :) The only thing I've seen without marine growth has been very old car tires. On the new ones made from synthetic rubber seem to atract marine growth but some old ones nothing. Dunno if they are natural rubber or something Germans did during the war. Hope they don't have any nerve gas in their formula :D
 
Forum posts represent the experience, opinion, and view of individual users. Boat Design Net does not necessarily endorse nor share the view of each individual post.
When making any potentially dangerous or financial decision, always employ and consult appropriate professionals. Your circumstances or experience may be different.

  • Back
    Top