Hi all, My name is Ron Cook I am fairly new to the group but have been tracking Rob’s designs for a long time. This is my first post to the group. This subject of making your own bottom paint is an old one for some of us in the US.

 

The recipe is not exact proportions of ratios of the mixed components because it is effected by your working environment, this is what we have normally done with good results. Into W.E.S.T epoxy mix equal amount of powered graphite and copper powder and enough of it to make a very thick liquid make it as thick as you can and still have the mixture comes off your mixing stick as a liquid, into that mixture add alcohol the amount of alcohol is determent by the type of epoxy you are using and the temperature of your working environment. The alcohol performs two functions, it thins your mixture so it can be rolled on smoothly with foam rollers and more importantly it makes the epoxy porous enough that the copper can work. If you don’t make the epoxy porous it does not work for long. We always put on multiple coats so it can sanded down to 400 grit wet and dry. Slime will still develop but as soon as the boat moves it comes off. We clean the bottom periodically with scotchbright pads a couple of the boats have been in the water for 10 years.

 

Ron