The following is some information we have put together
regarding osmosis blistering. Mike
Menzies's website also has information about blistering and the repair
system that Mike developed, and which we now carry out to remedy osmosis blister
problems.
Full
Bottom Osmosis Repairs
In the mid 1980's Mike
Menzies developed an exclusive epoxy vinylester rebuilding and resin coating
system in conjunction with Dow Chemical and Adhesive Technologies Ltd.
These materials are an essential part of the Full Bottom method of
osmosis repair that Mike also developed in the 1980's.
Osmosis Solutions Ltd purchased Mike Menzies Marine Services Ltd in May
2005 and now exclusively carry out osmosis repairs to Mikes specifications
and using these specially developed resin products.
Epoxy vinylester was chosen
by Mike Menzies because of its great secondary bonding capability, toughness and
compatibility with polyester. Epoxy
vinylester is a vastly superior resin to polyester, which most osmosis affected
craft are built with. By far the
majority of permanently moored boats in New Zealand
and around the world are built with polyester resin.
The Dow epoxy vinylester resin that is used in our Full Bottom type
repair develops a chemical and mechanical bond with the properly
prepared and dry polyester laminate. This
means that the epoxy vinylester laminate that we apply melds into the
existing polyester laminate, forming a very strong bond and returning added
strength to the hull structure.
The exclusively blended
epoxy vinylester coating system applied on top of this new laminate comprises
two coats. The first coat is a
barrier layer which is extremely hard and helps protect the laminate.
The second coat is a fairing layer which we use to fair the hull to a
very high standard. It is our aim
that no one should be able to tell that their craft has had a repair.
The final finish utilises epoxy primers and the antifouling of your
choice.
This Full Bottom type
of repair using glass laminate and epoxy vinylester was a first in the
world and is now well and
truly established as the ultimate repair method for your craft.
All Full
Bottom repair work carries a seven year transferable
warranty.
HotVac
Hull Cure
HotVac Hull
Cure is a method by which exposed GRP laminates can be dried in a controlled
and recordable manner, and in a predetermined time frame.
Owners can be confident that their boat is properly dried before applying
the recommended repair system.
HotVac dries hull by the
thorough removal of absorbed water from moisture affected hulls, and by
significantly reducing the amount of acids, glycols and other organic compounds
that stimulate the osmotic processes and cause the problem to continue.
It operates by the intimate application of controlled heat under high
vacuum, directly on the surface of the hull.
Under these controlled conditions all liquids are speedily vaporised and
removed by rapid evaporation i.e. moisture and all impurities deep in the
laminate bulk are quickly brought to the surface by activated diffusion.
Local heating of the treated areas are electronically controlled to
within ± 1șC and present no environmental hazards within the work area.
Individual
Osmosis Repairs
In many situations osmosis
blisters can be treated on an individual basis.
These are detected by giving the cosmetic coatings a heavy wet sand.
The tops of all blisters are then exposed and these can be individually
ground open back to a sound base. Once
the laminate in these areas is dried epoxy vinylester resin products can be used
to fill these areas to return them to soundness.
These are then faired, spot primed and re-faired ready for antifouling.
General
Repairs and Maintenance
Osmosis Solutions Ltd are
also available for general repair and maintenance work, including GRP repairs,
re-antifouling, cut and polishing etc.
Feel
free to contact us for further information.
