If the coverage and paint application are satisfactory, the hull must dry for another seven days before the boat is launched. If repair coats are required afterwards, sand any damaged areas generously with the random orbital sander and coat with HFH primer.
If a light-coloured sharkskin is to be applied to a dark epoxy primer, a second pass with the roller is necessary, which - depending on the thickness of the first coat - can be carried out after a waiting time of around eight hours. However, the substrate must first be treated with a sanding fleece.
In contrast to fouling protection, which is already provided after one coat of sharkskin, a second coat may be necessary due to a lack of opacity. This depends on the colour of the substrate.
At the latest when the silicone components bind together (layer formation), nothing will work and you will only be pushing a viscous mass in front of you with the roller. For optimum results, work sharkskin quickly with a mohair roller immediately after mixing.
Once the base colour and hardener have been thoroughly mixed together, pour everything into a paint tray and use immediately. According to official information, the so-called pot life of sharkskin is a maximum of two hours (20 °C). As practice shows, this time window should not be fully utilised.
To paint the sharkskin, the base material and hardener must first be brought together. A container (beaker or small bucket) is very helpful so that you can precisely balance the mixing ratio of 16 to 1. The easiest way to check the required quantities is to use a scale.
In the next step, the fuselage is treated with the low-viscosity VC-HFH primer. Applied with a cotton cloth, it prepares the surface of the epoxy to such an extent that the silicone particles can adhere optimally. The HFH primer takes around three hours to dry.
The hull must then be given a coat of epoxy primer. The substrate should always be well cured and sanded with dry sandpaper (240).
In practice, we were able to see the sharkskin in the Brodersby marina and put the roller on the hull of a motor yacht ourselves. Before the new material can be applied with the shark formula, it is first of all a case of "everything down to the gelcoat".
The cost of the main coat is currently €49.95 for 750 ml, with a yield of 14 m² per litre according to Vosschemie. The HFH primer required for application costs €14.95 per 100 ml and should be sufficient for 10 square metres.
Unfortunately, we can't look into the crystal ball either, and only long-term trials will provide answers to questions about durability and efficiency. But as far as application, processing and price are concerned, light can be shed more quickly.
The response to our report in Boote 2/09 "The alternatives", in which we presented sharkskin, was great. Almost all readers had the same questions: "Does it really work?", "How long does such a coating last?", "How much does it cost?", "Can I apply it myself?".
One of these future products is the so-called sharkskin from Vosschemie. We took a closer look at the "material" with the shark formula and found out about its spreadability, coverage, price and processing.
The latest EU regulations further restrict the use of toxic substances in antifouling. Experts believe that the future belongs to long-lasting, environmentally friendly silicone coatings.
Then mix the sharkskin exactly as for the first coat, apply and leave to harden for three to four days.
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