1 Introduction
Depending on deployment conditions, it may be a good idea to apply anti-fouling paint to a Tilt Current Meter (TCM). In general, paint should be applied to meters used in long deployments, or deployments in areas known to have high fouling rates. If the meter acquires significant biofouling, it will change the buoyancy and the drag on the instrument, decreasing the accuracy of the logger. This application note describes how to apply the anti-fouling paints Interlux Trilux 33 and ePaint EP2000 to a TCM meter.
2 Deciding on a Paint
For anti-fouling paint application, we recommend using either Interlux Trilux 33 or ePaint EP2000 paint. The appropriate paint type will depend on the deployment environment. Below is a comparison to aid in decision making:
| Interlux Trilux 33 | ePaint EP2000 |
|---|---|
| ● Spray Paint | ● Brushed on |
| ● Extremely toxic: take safety precautions | ● Water-based and generally safe |
| ● Works in any environment | ● Photoactive: needs clear water to work |
| ● Important technical and safety information available at: | ● Important technical and safety information available at: |
| https://www.interlux.com/en/us/boat-paint/antifouling/trilux-33 | https://www.epaint.com/product/ep-2000-antifouling-paint/ |
If you are having trouble deciding which paint to use, or want to ask about a different paint, please contact Lowell Instruments LLC at info@lowellinstruments.com.
3 Safety Precautions
Though the level of danger depends on your paint choice, similar safety precautions should be taken no matter which paint is chosen:
- Work outside or in a well-ventilated space
- Wear gloves and safety glasses
- If using Trilux 33 or other spray paints, wear a respirator
4 Procedure
Step 1:
Make sure the TCM end-cap is fully screwed in and watertight. Wash the exterior of the logger with warm soap and water. Be very thorough, especially with the end-cap. You must remove any and all O-ring lube on the outside of the housing for the paint application to be successful.
Step 2:
Lightly sand the entire exterior with a fine grit sandpaper (200+) or Maroon Scotch-Brite pad.
Step 3:
For Trilux 33: Wearing gloves, wipe off the resulting dust with alcohol, and let fully dry.
For EP2000: Wearing gloves, wipe off the resulting dust with water, and let fully dry.
Step 4:
Hang the TCM from the lanyard end, but don’t use the lanyard itself, use another rope/string. An example setup is shown below:
Step 5:
Trilux 33: Spray with Trilux 33, three light coats, waiting for the paint to dry completely between coats. Refer to the drying time table below:
| Trilux 33 Drying Times | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Drying | @41°F | @50°F | @73°F | @95°F |
| To touch | 8 hr | 6 hr | 3 hr | 2 hr |
| To recoat | 24 hr | 20 hr | 6 hr | 4 hr |
| To launch | 36 hr | 30 hr | 12 hr | 10 hr |
EP2000: Brush on EP2000, two light coats, waiting for the paint to dry completely between coats. Refer to the drying time table below:
| EP2000 Max Drying Times at 50% R.H. | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temperature | <60°F | @65°F | @70°F | @90°F |
| To recoat | Do not apply | 16 hr | 8 hr | 5 hr |
| To launch | 30 hr | 24 hr | 20 hr | |
Note: it is very important to make the coats light. If the coats are too thick, they will impact the accuracy of the tilt meters.