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FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

 

Product Information

No, when applied correctly, Propspeed will not cause the propellers to sing or harmonize.

Propspeed is used on both motor-vessels and sailing-vessels with a huge degree of success. Sailing-vessels, which are more dependent on nature’s variances, realize the benefits of a clean propeller as does the motorboating crowd, if not more so. The additional benefit of an increase in speed and reduction in fuel burn might not be top of mind for the sailing-vessel owner at the time of application, but they will certainly ‘feel’ the difference when they engage their motors when pulling away from their mooring’s following an extended idle time.

Lightspeed can sit out of water for extended periods of time in warm or cold climates with no adverse effects.

Yes, Lightspeed is a foul-release coating, not antifoul. Foul-release coatings use physical means to reduce fouling, creating a surface that’s tough for marine organisms to adhere to.

Lightspeed will last a minimum of 12 months.

Lightspeed is suitable for boat lights, fishing lights, and dock lights. Some growth may appear when lights are kept immobile but can be wiped off easily.

Foulfree lasts a minimum of 12 months, with an even longer service life in cooler climates.

Fouling on the face of transducers can reduce their sensitivity, decreasing bottom-echo returns and fish targets and reducing the detail on the sonar image you receive. Foulfree forms a slick surface marine growth can’t grab onto, keeping your transducer surface clean and clear. 

Yes, Foulfree is a foul-release coating, not antifoul. Foul-release coatings use physical means to reduce fouling, creating a surface that’s tough for marine organisms to adhere to.

Foulfree will not dry out, and performance will not be adversely effected when the boat is on the hard.

Propspeed can be used successfully in fresh or salt water. As it’s a foul release, not a biocide or antifoul, Propspeed relies on a slick surface - it doesn’t matter what sort of marine growth you have, it won’t be able to get a grip.

No. In addition to propellers, Propspeed can be applied to all underwater metal substrates such as; shafts, struts, rudders, trim-tabs, trim-tab actuators, thruster propellers, thruster propeller arms, swim platform armatures, swim-ladders, sea strainers, sea-chests, keel-coolers and in-take grates. Any metal underwater assets that require protection and enhanced performance, Propspeed is the answer.

Propspeed works on all underwater metals as long as the proper guidelines are followed. Click here for the downloadable application guide. 

The application of Propspeed greatly reduces the wetted metal surface and the positive outcome is that our customers are seeing an increase of vessel speed with less RPMs, fuel savings and, the protection from stray current damage resulting in longer sacrificial anode life. It has been observed by our customers that by using Propspeed on their running gear and propellers they have seen a dramatic reduction in corrosion to their underwater metals and that their sacrificial anodes are lasting longer.

None. The foul release formulation is self-cleaning as soon as the propeller starts up. If required, a light wipe with a non-abrasive cloth will remove any marine growth. When hauling out, ensure the Propspeed is wiped down with a non-abrasive cloth before any marine growth on the surface can dry. Water-blasting, scraping and other abrasive cleaning will damage the Propspeed and eliminate its effectiveness.

Propspeed may cost more to buy than conventional antifouling paints, but the feedback we get constantly from boat owners is that it pays for itself. By keeping the running gear free of marine growth, not only does it reduce the time spent cleaning at next haul-out, but it reduces your running costs by increasing your speed and reducing your fuel consumption

Propspeed can be applied to any metal part below the waterline, including propellers, shafts, struts, rudders, trim tabs and through hull fittings. You can also use the clear coat directly on plastic bow-thrusters.

All Propspeed kits have a shelf life of 2 years from date of manufacture. The date of manufacture should be clearly labelled on your kit and components. View our product dating guide for more detailed information.

No, provided the only maintenance given to the parts with Propspeed applied is a light wiping with a non-abrasive cloth, the boat can be hauled and launched multiple times, or left out for long periods without affecting the performance of Propspeed. If you are having the bottom of the boat high pressure washed ensure that any Propspeed coated parts are covered to prevent damage.

Propspeed will last at least a year, but many customers report another one or even two years service life. This depends on what sort of marine environment your boat is moored in, the water temperature, and how often you use it.

Yes, Propspeed is a foul-release coating, not antifoul. Foul-release coatings use physical means to reduce fouling, creating a surface that’s tough for marine organisms to adhere to.

Propspeed is a foul release coating, not an antifoul, so it doesn’t harm marine life. The top coat on the Propspeed system is an ultra-slick surface that marine growth can’t grip. Propspeed’s effectiveness does depend on movement of your boat - the more you use it, the better Propspeed performs. Propspeed sets itself apart from the competition with the exceptionally strong chemical and physical bond between the metal substrate, the primer and the top coat - this ensures that the Propspeed coating actually stays on your running gear.

The critical differences in the three different application systems are (1) the way the surfaces are prepared for coating purposes, and most importantly, (2) the cleaning agents found within each kit perform a specific function pertaining to the surface to be coated. Using the correct product and following the correct preparation and application instructions provided is critical to maximize performance across our range of products.
 
- For protecting any metal surfaces.
- The Propspeed system has everything required to protect underwater metals in the harshest of marine environments.

- For protecting underwater light lenses and housings.
- Lightspeed has been tested to be underwater light safe and will not cloud of fog lenses.

- For protecting transducers; measuring equipment below the waterline.
- Foulfree has been tested and is AIRMAR certified to result in no loss of transducer performance.

We have included all of the required components in each one of our product kits to make it easy for your business to charge out one billable item. E.g. 1 x Foulfree kit has everything you need to complete the job. Simple, easy, and valuable. 

Please see the table for detailed information regarding the Propspeed product line.

No, this will not affect the Propspeed coating. Many believe that Propspeed is like traditional antifoul (AF) coatings that will dry out once on the hard, thereby reducing the AF's toxicity levels the following season. This is not the case for Propspeed! 

Propspeed's performance is not adversely affected when hauled for extended periods of time and is a 'multi-season' coating in many parts of the world. We recommend covering the coated surfaces to protect from damage when the vessel is in storage.

Yes, Propspeed can be pressure-cleaned. We suggest the tip of the pressure cleaning wand be held no-closer than 12” from the painted surface and use only the wide-fan when high water pressure is being used.

Application

Use a plastic scraper to gently scrape off any old coating from the light lens. You can then give the lens a clean with the Lightclean wipe, followed by a clean, dry rag.

Use a plastic scraper to gently scrape off any old coating from the transducer. You can then use the abrasive pad provided to remove any remaining coating.

After removing the old coating, clean the surface to be coated with the XDclean wipe, followed by a clean, dry rag.

Two key temperature measurements are monitored during a Propspeed application. The most important of the two is the air temperature and the humidity rating, the second is the surface temperature of the metal. Both of these temperatures play a role in the coating window and the dry time.

The maximum application temperature is 35°C / 95°F air and 35°C / 95°F surface temperature.

View the recoat window and dry times here.

Get an estimate for how much product you need to coat your underwater assets with the Propspeed® Coverage Calculator™.

Additionally, if you need any further support or guidance, please contact one of our Sales Managers as they are happy to help.

Lightspeed can sit out of water for extended periods of time in warm or cold climates with no adverse effects.

One 15ml kit will coat 1ft2.

Lightspeed requires a minimum of 8 hours to dry before launching. In cold conditions, 40-60°F / 5-13°C, we recommend waiting at least 24 hours before launching.

Our coatings are not effected by extended periods of time out of the water. Foulfree can be applied and then remain out of the water without causing any problems. The coating is UV sensitive when exposed for a long period of time, so we suggest that customers keep the coated surfaces out of direct sunlight. Many customers cover up the coating to also protect it from damage, as it is a soft coating.

One 15ml kit will coat 1ft2 .

Foulfree will not dry out, and performance will not be adversely effected when the boat is on the hard.

Foulfree requires a minimum of 8 hours to dry before launching. In cold conditions, 40-60°F / 5-13°C, we recommend waiting at least 24 hours before launching.

View the re-coat window and drying times here.

Once the Etching Primer Hardener is added you have 10 minutes to use the catalyzed product. After such time, the product is inactive. Regardless of any liquids found left in the can, once the hardener has been added if the 10-minute window has been reached the product must be discarded and not used.
 
Propspeed products have a shelf life of 2 years from the date of manufacture. The best before date is located on the Etching Primer Base can, and Etching Primer Hardener bottle.

Click here for more information on the shelf lives of the Propspeed product line.

The Propspeed coating is formulated to adhere to a bare metal surface. Over-coating an existing coating will not allow the metal Etching Primer to properly bond, both mechanically and chemically, to the substrate if applied over another coating. Any existing Propspeed must be fully removed before starting a new application.

The time it takes to complete a Propspeed application depends on (a) how much of the underwater assets are being coated (running gear, propellers, trim tabs etc), (b) how large (dimensions) the areas being painted are, (c) how many people are working on the application, and finally, (d) what the ambient temperatures are when the application is taking place. As you can see, there is no one-answer-fits-all solution. 

No, acetone is not recommended for 2 key reasons.

(1) Alcohols do a better job in dissolving a variety of oils and organic impurities in comparison.

(2) Alcohols work better due to the slower evaporation rate when compared to acetone. In a practical application, this allows the applicator sufficient time to wipe clean the surface, removing all of the organic contaminants. Acetone flashes too quickly and does not finish the cleaning procedure properly. This is especially important in warm and humid temperatures.

Propspeed has developed 2 products that are specifically formulated for cleaning and conditioning the metal surfaces that are to be coated with the Propspeed system. 

Propclean is a cleaning agent that removes any organic oils and other impurities left on the metal surface, ensuring a clean application surface.

Propprep is a metal conditioning solution incorporating phosphoric acid and a surfactant (soap). The role of the surfactant is to clean the metal by helping to remove loose metal dust, dirt, light grease and oils that may be present on the metal surface after sanding and after cleaning with Propclean. The phosphoric acid reacts with the metal surface and creates a thin homogenous metal-phosphate layer all over the substrate.

Two key temperature measurements are monitored during a Propspeed application. The most important of the two is the air temperature and the humidity rating, the second is the surface temperature of the metal surface. Both of these temperatures play a role in the recoat window and the dry time. 

The minimum application temperature for a Propspeed application is 10°C / 50°F air and 10°C / 50°F surface temperature.

View the recoat window and dry times here.

Propspeed manufactures 2 products that are specifically designed for cleaning the metallic surfaces that are to be coated with the Propspeed system.

Propclean is a cleaning agent designed to remove any organic oils and other impurities left on the metal surface ensuring a clean application surface.

Propprep is a metal conditioning solution incorporating phosphoric acid and a surfactant (soap). The role of the surfactant is to perform a preliminary cleaning of the metal by helping to remove loose metal dust, dirt, light grease and oils that may be present on the metal surface after sanding and cleaning with Propclean. The phosphoric acid reacts with the metal surface and creates a thin homogenous metal-phosphate layer all over the substrate. The importance of the phosphate layer can be described as follows:

This phosphate layer is porous and provides a matrix in which the corrosion inhibiting pigments and polymer’s present in the etch primer can attach to.

The phosphate layer is transitional between the metal substrate and the components of the etch primer. In other words, it provides superior adhesion compatibility that is not present if applying the etch primer directly to sanded metal.

By its nature, the phosphate layer is also a corrosion inhibitor by itself that works in tandem with the metal etch primer.