Why is VC® 17m banned?
Following testing of the product by the Finnish Agency for Safety and Chemicals (TUKES) for compliance with the EU Biocidal Products Regulation, International® has removed the antifouling from its product range. According to the new regulation, only products with a maximum copper dissolution rate of 15 µg/cm2/day may be used from now on. A transitional regulation provides for a period of 365 days for processing. The product will still be available on the market until 30.04.2024 while stocks last.
VC® 17m Advantages
If you are looking for a thin-layered and smooth antifouling, VC® 17m is the right choice. It dries within 20 minutes to a super smooth surface without sanding. Due to its uncomplicated application, VC® 17m is particularly popular with motor and sailing boats in the Baltic Sea, the Mediterranean and in freshwater areas. The thin-film antifouling can still be used until 02.11.2024.
Advantages:
extremely smooth surface without sanding
multi-year performance
compatibility: GRP, wood, steel/iron, lead
can be applied to almost all existing antifoulings
coverage: 9-10m²/l
can be soaked in water after just 20 minutes
unlimited storage after painting
coatings: 2-3
2 colors to choose from: graphite, blue
Notes:
processing temperature should be above 5°C
contains biocides
VC® 17m alternatives from International®
B-Free Explore - the new biocide-free anti-fouling product
B-Free Explore is a biocide-free anti-fouling product that controls fouling through smoothness and slip. The silicone-based anti-fouling also has a positive effect on fuel consumption thanks to the low-friction surface. A major advantage of B-Free Explore is its compatibility with all boat materials after prior priming. The extreme smoothness (equivalent to or even higher than VC® 17m) allows a fast boat to 'drive off' algae slime while underway.
Advantages:
biocide-free
smooth, slippery surface
multi-year performance
with the appropriate primer, B-Free Explore can be used on all types and sizes of boats (incl. aluminum, steel, GRP, wood)
easy cleaning of the surface, as fouling is difficult to adhere to
passive cleaning through friction in the water
4 colors to choose from: black, navy blue, red, white
number of coats: 2-3
coverage: 9-10m²/l
drying time between 2-7 hours (depending on temperature)
B-Free can remain in water for approx. 2 years without repainting
VC® Offshore EU
The high-performance antifouling VC® Offshore EU is suitable for all fouling conditions on motor & sailing boats. The product produces a very smooth and low friction surface that produces a hard smooth finish that can be polished with very fine wet sandpaper.
Advantages:
multi-year performance
compatibility: GRP, wood, steel/iron, lead
can be applied to almost all existing antifoulings (incl. VC® 17m)
yield: 10.8-12m²/l
drying time 30min, 1.5h between coats
maximum storage after painting: 6 months
coatings: 2-3
4 colors to choose from: black, navy blue, red, white
Notes:
application temperature should be between 5-35°C
contains biocides
Boat with existing coat of VC® 17m antifouling
The simplest option is to paint over with the hard antifouling VC® Offshore EU. Alternatively, you can switch to the biocide-free B-Free Explore. This silicone-based fouling protection prevents fouling due to the smooth surface, has a positive effect on fuel consumption and has a self-cleaning effect when moving in water. However, B-Free Explore is not compatible with traditional antifoulings, so VC® 17m must first be sanded off with 80-120 grit sandpaper. Then apply 1 coat of B-Free Conversion Coat, followed by 1 coat of B-Free Tiecoat and 2 coats of B-Free Explore. The new biocide-free fouling protection is finished. If you want to rebuild your boat, you will find more information in the following section.
Renewal with antifouling biocide-free
Renewal of underwater coatings with B-Free Explore: GRP
For uncoated GRP surfaces with osmosis protection, 5 coats of Gelshield® 200 are applied as a primer, followed by a coat of B-Free Tiecoat at intervals of 3 - max. 16 hours and 2 coats of B-Free Explore at intervals of 4 hours to max. 5 days.
Renewal of underwater coatings with B-Free Explore: Wood
Apply 3 coats of undiluted Interprotect® to the primer consisting of 1 coat of Interprotect® (diluted with 10-15% Thinner No.7). This is followed by one coat of B-Free Tiecoat and then 2 coats of B-Free Explore.
Renewal of underwater coatings with B-Free Explore: aluminum, lead, iron/steel
Apply 5 coats of undiluted Interprotect® to the primer consisting of 1 coat of Interprotect® (diluted with 10-15% Thinner No.7). This is followed by one coat of B-Free Tiecoat and then 2 coats of B-Free Explore.
Renewal of antifouling containing biocides
Renewal of underwater coatings with traditional antifouling: steel, lead
First apply 1 coat of Interprotect® (diluted with 10-15% Thinner No.7) as a primer, followed by 5 coats of undiluted Interprotect®. The International® antifouling (e.g. VC® Offshore) is then applied in 2-3 coats.
Renewal of underwater coatings with traditional antifouling: plywood
First apply 1 coat of Interprotect® (diluted with 10-15% Thinner No.7) as a primer, followed by 3 coats of undiluted Interprotect®. The International® antifouling (e.g. VC® Offshore) is then applied in 2-3 coats.
Renewal of underwater coatings with traditional antifouling: GRP
First apply 5 coats of Gelshield® 200 as a primer. The final International® antifouling (e.g. VC® Offshore) is applied in 2-3 coats.