Wearlon® Super F-1M          - Fast Boats -

The reduced drag resistance in water resulted in 20 gallons of Wearlon Super F-1M being sent to New Zealand for use in the America’s Cup race. Additionally, the application of Wearlon Super F-1M using a 3/8" nap roller has resulted in dimples similar to that obtained by a golf ball.

Wearlon Super F-1M (graphite color) rolled on boat bottom using 3/8-inch nap paint roller

The dimpled Wearlon surface on a boat has a high contact angle with water while reducing the air drag, resulting in improved speed for watercraft. Sailboats, speedboats, and hydroplanes benefit from this added advantage in speed.

Wearlon Super F-1M is a silicone epoxy having unique properties when in contact with water. It is extremely hydrophobic having surface properties approaching that of dimethyl silicones, i.e., 22 dynes/cm surface tension and contact angles with water of 100°. Wearlon Super F-1M is perfectly suited for marine applications allowing for an easy cleaning of surfaces while supplying reduced drag resistance through the water. Experiments at a leading university have demonstrated that the Wearlon Super F-1M family of coatings reduced drag resistance with water that previously could only be obtained with dimethyl-silicones while having the abrasion resistance of that obtained with epoxies. Glass surfaces coated with Wearlon Super F-1M products have demonstrated a 1.62% reduction in drag resistance for water. A typical epoxy that is used as a marine coating demonstrated a drag penalty of 21 to 23 percent, while Wearlon Super F-1M products under the same conditions resulted in a maximum drag reduction of -4.25 percent. The low surface energy allows for easy removal of algae and grass and very weak adhesion of living organisms such as barnacles. Wearlon Super F-1M with these properties allows more water to flow through a given area, which is especially rewarding in the hydroelectric and marine facilities. Wearlon Super F-1M can be manufactured as an electrically non-conductive coating, conceivably avoiding galvanic corrosion associated with anti-fouling paints on aluminum boats or components.

Applying Speed Coat-49 as a polish over a dimpled Wearlon Super F-1M has also been employed for improved speed. Wearlon Speed Coat-49 is a permanent durable coating that can be used as a final coating or as a polish. Speed Coat-49 has found particular favor with racing boats specialists for improved speed through water. Wearlon surfaces that have become damaged during service are readily rejuvenated by simply polishing on a light coat of Speed Coat-49. For smooth surfaces, the Wearlon Super F-1M can be sanded and then polished with a Speed Coat-49 coating.