Sea vessels - why not Teflon?

[LibertyWeeps]

Ran across a video this morning of a guy scraping barnicals off a ships hull.

I've always wondered.......WHY don't they just coat sea vessels with Teflon so nothing sticks?

 

[1srelluc]

I had a open top kayak called a Poke Boat made out of Kevlar. It only weighed around 30 pounds.

 

[JGalt]

Ran across a video this morning of a guy scraping barnicals off a ships hull.

I've always wondered.......WHY don't they just coat sea vessels with Teflon so nothing sticks?

I'm just a stupid human, why ask me when computers are so much smarter?


"AI Overview"

"Coating a ship's underside with Teflon (PTFE) or similar fluoropolymer coatings is generally effective for reducing friction and increasing speed, particularly for racing sailboats or high-performance, low-fouling watercraft
. It offers benefits like improved handling, corrosion resistance, and easier cleaning. However, it is not a long-term solution, as it needs frequent reapplication (every 6-12 months), and barnacles can still adhere to it.
Pros and Cons of Teflon Coating on Boat Hulls:

• Pros:
  • Reduced Drag: Provides a very slick, low-friction surface that enhances speed.
  • Corrosion Protection: Protects the metal hull from oxidation.
  • Anti-fouling properties: Helps reduce algae buildup and makes cleaning easier.
  • Ideal for Specific Use: Best suited for high-performance boats, racing sailboats, or fresh water, where speed is prioritized over long-term, extreme anti-fouling.
• Cons:
  • Low Durability: Lasts only about 6–12 months, requiring frequent, costly reapplication.
  • Not Effective Against All Fouling: Barnacles can still get a strong grip on Teflon-like surfaces.
  • Environmental Concerns: While it doesn't contain copper like traditional anti-fouling paint, its effectiveness and environmental impact in high-fouling, saltwater conditions are limited.

For most cruising boats, traditional anti-fouling paint is preferred over Teflon-based coatings because it provides longer-lasting protection against marine growth. Specialized products like Interlux VC-17m or Pettit's BlackWidow are examples of Teflon-containing paints designed for high-performance, not all-around protection."

 

[JGalt]

I had a open top kayak called a Poke Boat made out of Kevlar. It only weighed around 30 pounds.

Was it bullet-proof? I'm not about to wear a kayak on my back unless it could keep me from being shot.

 

[1srelluc]

That might come in handy against drive-by shootings from pirates.

I don't know about that but it was sure easy to portage. I used to carry it to ponds that you had to walk into.

 

[Cellblock2429]

Ran across a video this morning of a guy scraping barnicals off a ships hull.

I've always wondered.......WHY don't they just coat sea vessels with Teflon so nothing sticks?

/----/ Great question. I asked Gemini:

1. The "Mechanical Grip" Problem​

Barnacles are essentially the world's most stubborn houseguests. They don't just "stick" to a surface; they secrete a fast-curing liquid calcium carbonate cement that is one of the most powerful natural adhesives known to science.

• Surface Tension: While Teflon has incredibly low surface tension, barnacles can still find microscopic imperfections or "anchor" themselves mechanically.
• Biofilms: Before a barnacle even arrives, a "biofilm" (slime layer of bacteria and algae) forms on the hull. This layer can provide a foundation for barnacles to grip, effectively bypassing the slickness of the Teflon.

2. Durability and "Softness"​

In the shipbuilding world, the hull takes a beating.

• Abrasion: Ships deal with sand, silt, floating debris, and the sheer friction of water at high speeds. Teflon is relatively soft and prone to Gauging and peeling.
• Maintenance: Once a Teflon coating is scratched, it loses its effectiveness. Repairing a specialized fluoropolymer coating in a dry dock is significantly more expensive and technically difficult than slapping on a new coat of anti-fouling paint.

3. Application and Adhesion​

Ironcially, the biggest problem with Teflon is getting it to stay on the ship.

• The "Non-Stick" Paradox: Teflon is designed so nothing sticks to it—including the hull of the ship.
• Industrial Process: To get Teflon to stick to a frying pan, the metal is usually etched with acid and the coating is baked on at temperatures around 400°C (750°F). You can't exactly put an aircraft carrier in an oven to "set" the paint.

---

What We Use Instead​

We actually use the "cousins" of the Teflon idea, but adapted for the sea:

Coating Type	How it Works	Best Use
Ablative Paint	Wears away slowly like a bar of soap, taking the barnacles with it.	Cruising boats and standard vessels.
Foul-Release (Silicone)	Creates a surface so slick that barnacles fall off once the ship hits 10-15 knots.	High-speed ferries and container ships.
Biocidal Paint	Uses copper or other agents to "poison" the larvae before they can settle.	The current industry standard for long-term protection.

 

[LibertyWeeps]

I'm just a stupid human, why ask me when computers are so much smarter?

I'm just a stupid human, why ask me when computers are so much smarter?


"AI Overview"

"Coating a ship's underside with Teflon (PTFE) or similar fluoropolymer coatings is generally effective for reducing friction and increasing speed, particularly for racing sailboats or high-performance, low-fouling watercraft
. It offers benefits like improved handling, corrosion resistance, and easier cleaning. However, it is not a long-term solution, as it needs frequent reapplication (every 6-12 months), and barnacles can still adhere to it.
Pros and Cons of Teflon Coating on Boat Hulls:

• Pros:
  • Reduced Drag: Provides a very slick, low-friction surface that enhances speed.
  • Corrosion Protection: Protects the metal hull from oxidation.
  • Anti-fouling properties: Helps reduce algae buildup and makes cleaning easier.
  • Ideal for Specific Use: Best suited for high-performance boats, racing sailboats, or fresh water, where speed is prioritized over long-term, extreme anti-fouling.
• Cons:
  • Low Durability: Lasts only about 6–12 months, requiring frequent, costly reapplication.
  • Not Effective Against All Fouling: Barnacles can still get a strong grip on Teflon-like surfaces.
  • Environmental Concerns: While it doesn't contain copper like traditional anti-fouling paint, its effectiveness and environmental impact in high-fouling, saltwater conditions are limited.

For most cruising boats, traditional anti-fouling paint is preferred over Teflon-based coatings because it provides longer-lasting protection against marine growth. Specialized products like Interlux VC-17m or Pettit's BlackWidow are examples of Teflon-containing paints designed for high-performance, not all-around protection."

Thanks for that! Makes sense.

Well, there are different kinds of Teflon. For cookware there are two types.........the kind they spray on the metal pans, which scratches, cracks, and chips EASILY. And the BONDED teflon which is pressed and bonded into the metal itself. Which is what I was thinking about for ships and boats.

There's also baked on glide polishes they could put on the bottom of the boats and ships. It works like Teflon, lasts longer, and makes it harder for anything to attached itself to the hull.

They could also electrify the hull of the ship and "blast" the hull once a week to kill off barnicles or to get them to detach.

They could also just buff the holy hell out of the metal, until it's shiny like a mirror. That would last a long while, and it's too hard to keep up.

 

[Admiral Rockwell Tory]

I'm just a stupid human, why ask me when computers are so much smarter?


"AI Overview"

"Coating a ship's underside with Teflon (PTFE) or similar fluoropolymer coatings is generally effective for reducing friction and increasing speed, particularly for racing sailboats or high-performance, low-fouling watercraft
. It offers benefits like improved handling, corrosion resistance, and easier cleaning. However, it is not a long-term solution, as it needs frequent reapplication (every 6-12 months), and barnacles can still adhere to it.
Pros and Cons of Teflon Coating on Boat Hulls:

• Pros:
  • Reduced Drag: Provides a very slick, low-friction surface that enhances speed.
  • Corrosion Protection: Protects the metal hull from oxidation.
  • Anti-fouling properties: Helps reduce algae buildup and makes cleaning easier.
  • Ideal for Specific Use: Best suited for high-performance boats, racing sailboats, or fresh water, where speed is prioritized over long-term, extreme anti-fouling.
• Cons:
  • Low Durability: Lasts only about 6–12 months, requiring frequent, costly reapplication.
  • Not Effective Against All Fouling: Barnacles can still get a strong grip on Teflon-like surfaces.
  • Environmental Concerns: While it doesn't contain copper like traditional anti-fouling paint, its effectiveness and environmental impact in high-fouling, saltwater conditions are limited.

For most cruising boats, traditional anti-fouling paint is preferred over Teflon-based coatings because it provides longer-lasting protection against marine growth. Specialized products like Interlux VC-17m or Pettit's BlackWidow are examples of Teflon-containing paints designed for high-performance, not all-around protection."

I can summarize that entire post without an AI search: Nope!

 

[egp320i]

Graphine polymer wax

it would cost a fortune to buy and apply and only last 6 months
unlike your vehicle for a year with no salt water bath

they should not a attach to a moving ship but once in dock
that is when they get busy to hitch a ride somewhere