Why is VC® 17m banned?
After testing 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 be available in stores until 30.04.2024 while stocks last.
VC® 17m Vorteile
If you are looking for athin-layered and smooth antifouling, VC® 17m is just right for you. It dries within 20 minutes to a super smooth surface without sanding. Due to its uncomplicated application, VC® 17m is particularly popular for motor and sailing boats in the Baltic Sea, the Mediterranean and in freshwater areas. The thin-film antifouling may 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 previous antifoulings
- Yield: 9-10m²/l
- to water already after 20min
- unlimited standing time after painting
- Coatings: 2-3
- 2 colors to choose from: graphite, blue
Hinweise:
- Processing temperature should be above 5°C
- Contains biocides
VC® 17m alternatives from International®
B-Free Explore- the new biocide-free fouling protection
B-Free Explore is aBiocide-free fouling protection, which controls fouling through smoothness and slip. The silicone-based Silicone-based existing anti-fouling effect due to the low-friction surface additional positive effect on the Fuel consumption has. A major advantage of the B-Free Explore is its compatibility with all boat materials after prior priming. A fast boat manages to 'drive off' algae slime as soon as it is underway thanks to the extreme smoothness (equivalent to or even higher than VC® 17m).
Advantages:
- biozidfrei
- smooth, slippery surface
- multi-year performance
- With 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 water
- 4 colors to choose from: black, navy blue, red, white
- Number of coats: 2-3
- Yield: 9-10m²/l
- Drying time between 2-7 hours (depending on temperature)
- B-Free can remain in water for approx. 2 years in the water, without repainting
Notes:
- Processing temperature must be between 10-35°C
- Traditional antifouling is not compatible with B-Free Explore Topcoat
- Maximum service life ashore after painting: 4 weeks
- B-Free should receive a replacement paint job if the boat has not been in the water for over 1 month
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, between coats 1.5h
- Maximum service life after painting: 6 months
- Layers: 2-3
- 4 colors to choose from: black, navy blue, red, white
Notes:
- Processing temperature should be between 5-35°C
- contains biocides
Boat with existing coat of VC® 17m antifouling
Probably the simplest option is to paint over with theHard antifouling VC® Offshore EU. Alternatively, you can switch to the Biocide-free B-Free Explore change. 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 with 80-120 grit sandpaper. This is followed by 1 coatB-Free Conversion Coat, followed by 1 coatB-Free Tiecoat and 2 coats of B-Free Explore. The new biocide-free fouling protection is ready. If you are looking to rebuild your boat, you will find more information in the following section.
Reconstruction of antifouling biocide-free
Reconstruction 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. This is followed by one 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.
Reconstruction of underwater coatings with B-Free Explore: Wood
On the primer consisting of 1 coat of Interprotect® (diluted with 10-15% Thinner No.7), 3 coats of undiluted Interprotect® are applied. This is followed by a coat of B-Free Tiecoat and then 2 coats of B-Free Explore.
Recoating of underwater coatings with B-Free Explore: aluminum, lead, iron/steel
On the primer consisting of 1 coat of Interprotect® (diluted with 10-15% Thinner No.7), 5 coats of undiluted Interprotect® are applied. This is followed by a coat of B-Free Tiecoat and then 2 coats of B-Free Explore.
Reconstruction of antifouling containing biocides
Reconstruction of underwater coatings with traditional antifouling: steel, lead
As a primer, first apply 1 coat of Interprotect® (diluted with 10-15% Thinner No.7), followed by 5 coats of undiluted Interprotect®. The International® antifouling (e.g. VC® Offshore) is then applied in 2-3 coats.
Reconstruction of underwater coatings with traditional antifouling: plywood
As a primer, first apply 1 coat of Interprotect® (diluted with 10-15% Thinner No.7), followed by 3 coats of undiluted Interprotect®. The International® antifouling (e.g. VC® Offshore) is then applied in 2-3 coats.
Reconstruction 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.
