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Ballastic Black Premium Hull Blacking is a combined primer and topcoat, high build bitumen coating that is ideal for use below the waterline as a hull blacking on narrowboats, canal boats and for vessels on the inland waterways. Bitumen products such as Ballastic Black provide an extremely flexible coating it can be applied on to bare steel or over existing bitumen based coatings (like Intertuf 16, Comastic and Rylards Rytex).
Ballastic Black has a higher percentage of volume solids than other hull blacking products. This means that when applied at the same spreading rate Ballastic Black will provide a thicker coating which will give better corrosion protection and, perhaps more importantly, at a lower cost.
We have put together some packs with Ballastic Black and everything you need for a canal boat project.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Thinner | Jotun Thinner No. 2 or SML Alkyd Thinner |
| No. of recommended coats | 2 |
| Drying time @ 23°C | 12 hours |
| Coverage | 6 - 7 m² per litre |
| Application method | Brush, roller or high pressure airless spray |
| Guide | Size |
|---|---|
| Ballastic Black - Safety Sheet | 580.05 KiB |
| Ballastic Black - Data Sheet | 611.38 KiB |
For any steel (or wooden) boat that spends any length of time in water needs to be adequately protected in order to prevent rust or rot. Traditionally narrowboats, canal boats and other inland waterways vessels have always used a bitumen based paint. These have the advantage of being extremely waterproof, easy to use and are reasonably priced. Ballastic Black is one such product.
To put it simply: SML Ballastic Black offers better protection for less money.
Ballastic Black contains much less solvent (see table below) than other leading bitumen brands meaning that when applied at the same spreading rate Ballastic Black will provide superior corrosion protection.
Another advantage of Ballastic Black is that it can be applied on to virtually all existing coatings which saves on the time and expense of taking the hull back to bare steel.
When application is by brush and roller we find that the average coverage is 6-8 square metres per litre. Therefore a typical narrowboat measuring 48ft (16m) requires 7.5L of Ballastic Black per coat. We recommend applying two coats of Ballastic Black if application is to an existing coating and three coats if application is on bare steel.
If painting outdoors it is important to make sure the atmospheric conditions are right. If you try and paint when it is too cold, too hot or too windy application will be much harder and the finish will be much worse. The ideal painting conditions are cool, calm and dry.
If you do find yourself having to paint in conditions that aren't perfect then keeping Ballastic Black warm (for example by keeping it indoors overnight) will reduce the viscosity and help it to flow out better. A similar effect can be achieved by thinning with SML Alkyd Thinner or high quality white spirit, but remember the more you thin the paint the less protection each coat provides. Ideally try to thin by no more than 10%.
Ballastic Black is dry to recoat after 12 hours at 23°C so a coat a day is what we recommend.
If it is hot and/or windy drying time will be reduced.
Always wear suitable protective clothing when applying bitumen paints.
Ballastic Black is used extensively as a high build, flexible primer/topcoat in the protective coatings industry. Suitable for use both above and below the waterline Ballastic Black is one of the most cost effective solutions to steel corrosion available.
For technical specifications and quotes please contact us.
SML Alkyd Thinner is designed for use with traditional varnishes, alkyd topcoats and alkyd primers.
Thermobonded and solvent resistant for reduced fibre shedding. Available in various lengths and pack sizes. Ideal uses - Antifouling, single & 2 pack Primers.
Plastic roller trays that are available in 4", 9" and 11" sizes. The 11" roller tray is heavy duty, reusable and suitable for use with larger rollers and when painting larger areas.
A Maintenance kit designed for canal boats up to 50ft in length
A high build epoxy with extended durability, suitable for use above and below the waterline.
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