Marine Epoxy Putty Systems and Application Information

In marine paint systems, which can be differentiated into commercial ship paints, fishing vessel paints and leisure yacht paints, putty applications hold a very important place. In modern marine paint systems, epoxy-based putty systems, which are generally preferred, both serve the function of leveling the substrate and increase the impermeability properties of the substrate against water, moisture and other atmospheric conditions. Given the demanding conditions of the marine or freshwater environments in which they are used, the relevant epoxy-based putties must possess superior properties.

Points to Consider During Putty Application

There are some important matters that must be considered during the application of epoxy-based putty systems. First and foremost, epoxy putties must never be applied directly to bare, unprimed substrate. The substrate to be puttied must always have a primer or undercoat product on it. Furthermore, the substrate must always be sanded before putty application. In putty applications carried out in stages, the substrate must be sanded between coats as well. Because epoxy putties bearing the Teknomarin brand and all other quality brand epoxy putties contain no solvent, they can only adhere to sanded surfaces. After putty application, the puttied surface must again be painted with an appropriate undercoat or primer and must not be left unprotected. Due to the fillers in their composition, epoxy putties form a microporous structure after drying, and puttied surfaces not protected with an appropriate undercoat tend to absorb moisture and other contaminants. Particularly when carrying out putty work in excessively humid and rainy weather, it is necessary to heat the environment for a period after sanding, dry the substrate and remove its moisture. Epoxy putties, like all other epoxy-based paints and coatings, require temperature during the curing phase. Particularly at temperatures below 10°C, the drying time of the putty and its sanding readiness are greatly prolonged.

If possible, particularly in winter conditions, during and after epoxy putty application, it is necessary to raise the temperature of the application environment to at least 25-30°C to bring the putty's drying behavior back to normal. In order for epoxy putties to reach their final hardness, they must be exposed to temperatures above 50°C.

In order to minimize substrate settling that will occur as a result of complete drying after application, if possible, substrates to which epoxy putty has been applied should be maintained at a temperature of 50-70°C for a certain period. Since epoxy putties exposed to such temperatures will achieve complete drying and substrate settling, any substrate settling that occurs after painting work carried out over them will remain at a minimum level, hardly noticeable to the eye. Epoxy-based putties are two-component products and in order to obtain the best performance from the product, parts A and B of the product must be very thoroughly mixed in the specified mixing ratio. In epoxy-based putties, the colors of parts A and B are generally designed to be distinctly different so they can be differentiated. Before use, after parts A and B are mixed together, thorough mixing must continue until the color becomes completely homogeneous. If different colors and color separation are observed in the mixture color, mixing should continue until the color becomes homogeneous. The mixing ratios of parts A and B of epoxy putties must be carried out as stated on the product packaging. Using less or more of the hardener (Hardener-B) component than specified will result in the mixture not drying and remaining tacky. Care should be taken to prepare only the required amount of mixture when mixing parts A and B together. After parts A and B are mixed together, depending on the structure of the putty and the ambient temperature, the mixture begins to gel within 20-60 minutes. Excess mixture becomes unusable after the pot life expires.

Properties of Quality Epoxy Putties

Today, with the increased preference for dark colors in yachts, the increase in the lengths of produced yachts and the increased use of more curved lines in yacht hull forms, putty selection has become even more important. Quality putty brands attempt to adapt their products to today's demanding conditions. Nevertheless, even in large projects where world-renowned brand products are used, problems such as cracking, breaking and subsidence can occur in putties, resulting in damage that is difficult to remedy. Excessively thick putty applications, excessive flexing in yacht substrates, changes in raw material sources, rapid production pressure in project processes, and even changing climate conditions have frequently caused these problems to arise. Yacht manufacturers are therefore in a continuous search for putty systems and are turning to epoxy putty systems from brands that have not caused such problems in their products, can present major reference projects and whose putties can pass demanding test conditions.

If the properties sought in quality epoxy putties are to be listed:

1-Flexible structure, 2-Easy application, 3-Easy sanding capability, 4-Long pot life, 5-Fast drying and quick sanding readiness, 6-Easy mixing ratio and easy mixing, 7-Low density. Of course, in order for a commercially viable product to emerge, in addition to these properties, one must also include low production cost and consequently low price criteria. As will be seen from the perspective of putty brands, it is very difficult to provide all of these conditions to a high degree and it is only possible with significant knowledge and experience. Caner Masmanacı / Marketing Director / Teknomarin