Don Silsbe Posted January 22 Report Share Posted January 22 I know several people who routinely use graphite powder, added to epoxy, to coat the bottoms of their boats. They believe that they are adding some level of durability or abrasion resistance to the bottom. Is this fact or just snake oil? Are there any studies to back up the claim? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bryan Rolfe Posted January 23 Report Share Posted January 23 We used graphite powder mixed with epoxy as a barrier coat on our Albin Vega 27: https://www.instagram.com/p/BoCa8pvh9ET/ (if that link doesn't work for you, let me know and I'll post a picture later). It was purely for aesthetics in our case and didn't serve any other purpose. The idea was that if/when our ablative bottom paint started to fail/scrape-off, then at least the boat would still look reasonably nice below the water line. I think you could also make the argument that the graphite offers marginal UV protection, but at the surface, the epoxy would still be susceptible to damage. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Captain Tim Posted January 23 Report Share Posted January 23 Right from the West Systems website Designed for: Low-Friction Coating Scuff Resistance Color Modification $35.00 for a 12 oz can at West Marine I'd say just don't drag your bottom on the ground 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jknight611 Posted January 23 Report Share Posted January 23 I have used it on slides for hatches, marginal success…. If you don’t drag the bottom occasionally, you aren’t sailing on the gulf coast. I personally have pinstriped quite a lot of the gulf coast! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reacher Posted January 23 Report Share Posted January 23 I searched for info a few years ago and never found a study, only a lot of anecdotal information. The stories are positive. People are pleased with the look. West System, which does many technical studies and tests, does not provide an analysis that I could find. It markets graphite powder as a cosmetic filler for low friction and scuff resistance, some uv protection, no anti fouling properties. An alternative to paint. i assume that scuff resistance is at the low end of abrasion resistance. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kennneee Posted January 24 Report Share Posted January 24 I have used it on at least 6 boats. I can't say that it reduces friction but I use it for color and it looks better when it gets scuffed than varnish or paint. It seems a bit more resiliant than paint. I should clarify that most of the times I have used it has been on the bottom of varnished strip built boats. I also used it on the bottom of my lapwing and I like the look. 20220610_180815_IMG_1138.HEIC Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jknight611 Posted January 25 Report Share Posted January 25 Ken, your shop is entirely too organized and …..well neat! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kennneee Posted January 25 Report Share Posted January 25 53 minutes ago, Jknight611 said: Ken, your shop is entirely too organized and …..well neat! Jay- The only way to prove you wrong, and you are on this, is to have you visit and see the mess for yourself. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don Silsbe Posted January 25 Author Report Share Posted January 25 If you look at my postings of the Seaclipper build, you’ll agree that NOBODY will ever say that about me! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kennneee Posted January 25 Report Share Posted January 25 A messy shop means work is getting done. A badge of honor. Besides, I hate cleaning it. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jknight611 Posted January 29 Report Share Posted January 29 Kalos just mentioned that she would love to sail that area….. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gray duck Posted February 9 Report Share Posted February 9 Having the graphite powder in epoxy gives great UV protection and I think provides a smooth low friction surface. I have a Devlin Cackler I built in 99 and the bottom looks almost as good as when launched. Used about once a week since beginning. And I have a pirogue stored upside down and the bow gets sun maybe 6 hours a day and looks fine. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul356 Posted February 13 Report Share Posted February 13 I ended up with 4 coats of graphite epoxy on the bottom of the Duckworks Scout I built last summer. (Sorry all, non-B&B product.) I was impressed with the way it held up to Door County Rocks and miscellaneous driveway scuffs. It certainly is better than scuffing through enamel and revealing primer or glass. I did some sanding with 320 between coats to get it smooth and glossy the way I wanted. I recommend it. But no studies. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Captain Tim Posted February 14 Report Share Posted February 14 What brand graphite are you using? I have found brands selling for half what West Systems sells for. Is all graphite going to be the same. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kennneee Posted February 14 Report Share Posted February 14 I have always used West for graphite powder. I would imagine that graphite is graphite. I had a friend that was a kayak buillder/designer and he emptied toner cartdridges and used the powder. His boats did fine. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul356 Posted February 16 Report Share Posted February 16 I got graphite from duckworks. https://duckworks.com/graphite-powder/ i just used some west graphite yesterday at our volunteer boat shop. it seemed the same. i don't know about cost comparisons. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Captain Tim Posted February 17 Report Share Posted February 17 Price is interesting. West System 12oz = $35 at West Marine Duck Work 1 pint = $9.95 I would think plus shipping Fasco Epoxies 1qt = 110z = $18.99 at Amazon I get free shipping Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hirilonde Posted February 17 Report Share Posted February 17 The West 12 oz., is that weight or volume? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Captain Tim Posted February 18 Report Share Posted February 18 I'm guessing weight because West Systems says 12oz whereas Duckworks says one pint (volume). The one from Amason says one quart and also 11oz so I guess telling us the weight of the volume. I have not bought any yet, so I don't know for sure. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kennneee Posted February 18 Report Share Posted February 18 A little goes a long way! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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