Page 61: of Maritime Reporter Magazine (February 1992)

In recent years, there has been growing international awareness for the need to protect the ma- rine environment.

Several countries, for example, have already enacted legislation lim- iting the use of TBT (tributylin) in marine paints. Regulations are al- ready in place in the U.S., U.K.,

France and Australia, and other countries are expected to follow suit shortly.

The marine coatings industry has reacted positively to this concern by developing environmentally friendly antifoulings, coatings and products.

Many coatings manufacturers, in fact, have introduced tin-free coat- ings to meet these new guidelines.

The performance of these various protective coatings is strongly influ- enced by the quality preparation of the coating surface. This is depen- dent on the work performed by the shipyard and the type of abrasives, blasting equipment, grinders, and surface preparation tools used.

The following review is a brief glimpse at some of the coatings prod- ucts and surface preparation equip- ment available to the marine indus- try based on a survey of some of the largest manufacturers and suppli- ers of these type products.

For Further Information

For free literature, technical data, brochures and reports detailing any of the products or services reviewed in this feature, circle the appropri- ate Reader Service number accom- panying the manufacturer's review on the postpaid Reader Service Card

February, 1992 bound into the back of this issue.

AMCLEAN

Circle 109 on Reader Service Card

Amclean is a Miami-based com- pany specializing in the removal of marine coatings. Amclean has de- veloped a process that can remove various coatings and fairing materi- als up to 1-inch thick. Amclean re- ports that its process is faster and environmentally safer than tradi- tional dry blasting techniques. Us- ing high-pressure water blasting equipment combined with state-of- the-art media-injected nozzles,

Amclean is able to remove any com- bination of coatings.

Amclean's most recent coatings removal project was at Derecktor-

Gunnell in Dania, Fla., on the Mys- tique, a 160-foot megayacht built by

Oceanfast in Australia to a Jon

Bannenburg design. Amclean was hired to leave a white metal finish on the transom and triple jet drives to accommodate a transom modifi- cation being done by the shipyard.

The coatings on the Mystique were an advanced two-part epoxy system with six coats of various antifoulings.

Microbaloon and fairing materials were 10-12 mils thick on the entire transom. Using Mil-specgarnet, Am- clean was able to leave the shipyard with a white metal 3.5 mil finish for the new coatings to adhere to.

Amclean has available a coatings removal video for potential clients at no charge.

AMERICAN SAFETY

TECHNOLOGIES

Circle 94 on Reader Service Card

For more than 75 years, American

Safety Technologies, formerly Ameri- can Abrasive Metals, has been a leading source for non-slip safety systems worldwide. Originally de- veloped as a protective non-skid coat- ing system for U.S. Navy aircraft carriers, American Safety coatings have been applied to virtually all naval flight decks since 1962, where they withstand the constant abuse of heat, rain, snow, frost, strong winds, salt spray, chemical spillage, the impact from chains and leading geat, as well as the abuse of thou- sands of fighter jet landings.

This experience, coupled with on- going chemical research, has led to the development of advanced, non- slip, total-protection formulations for above-the-waterline marine ap- plications including boottops, top- sides, decks, and deck fittings.

American Safety coating and deck- ing systems now enhance the safety, esthetics and seaworthiness of all types of vessels—from pleasure craft to commercial shipping, fishing, transportation and offshore geologic exploration—becoming an integral part of ship safety and design.

American Safety Technologies of- fers non-slip coatings for a wide va- riety of marine applications. All bond easily to wood, aluminum, steel and fiberglass. All provide superior chemical-resistance and excellent surface adhesion, retaining their non-slip integrity for several years in demanding oceangoing and off- shore conditions.

AMERON

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Over 10 years ago, Ameron devel- oped the formulation techniques which now permit the manufacture of coatings that can stand up in today's tough regulatory climate while maintaining high levels of performance.

In the early 1980s, Ameron intro- duced Amerlock 400, a high-solids, high-build epoxy which offers sur- face-tolerant corrosion protection.

Even today, Amerlock400 surpasses all EPA VOC requirements. Several years later, Amershield, a high-build

VOC-compliant polyurethane, joined Amerlock.

Based on the experience gained form the successes of Amerlock and

Amershield, Ameron now offers its "Environmentally Designed" line— high-performance coatings for us- ers who require the alternative of environmentally sound products.

An Ameron ED coating is made to perform as well as the conventional coating it replaces. This strict ad- (continued on page 63) 61