Red lead replacement

[outofthenorm]

Now that I've got the garboards off, I'm thinking ahead to the moment of putting things back together. In the past, I aways coated repaired surfaces with red lead primer, but now the stuff is illegal in Canada ( for very good environmental reasons, I'm told). Does anyone have a recco on what sort of paint or other goop I can use to do the same job of primer/barrier coating?

- Norm

[Paul Maselli]

Please define illegal? Can you have a can of it in your posession? Is it illegal to sell on the Canadian market? Can you purchase it in the US and have it shipped in? If so you can buy it from George Kirby Paints. They manufacture it as an industrial/marine coating.

163 Mt. Vernon St.
New Bedford, Mass 02740
1-508-997-9008

As far as preventing rot and protecting the wood there is no substitute for Red Lead Paint. The lead acts as a germicide as well as creating a heavy barrier to help prevent drying out of large timbers. Every wood to wood joint in the restoration of the "Elliot White" from the restoration of the keel to the fitting
of steam bent ribs has at least one surface coated for this reason.

CPES will provide a chemical barrier to help prevent rot but I don't believe it will give the full benefits of red lead in the heavy barrier aspect. I also believe this stuff is even more noxious than red lead. It has high solvent contents as well as VOC's. You need to mask up to apply this stuff. With red lead you really dont want to ingest the stuff but how likely is that when your applying it to your bilges straight from the can.

Give George Kirby a call he may know whether shipping it to Canada is allowable.

Good Luck, post a few pics of your progress.

TheMobileBoatwright

[outofthenorm]

Thanks Paul. Unfortunately, Kirby's cannot ship it to Canada. I'm told by someone knowledgable here - a marine store owner - that it would get impounded at customs. Illegal means can't buy it, import it or use it. I'm screwed.

I've been thinking about either CPES with an overcoat of paint, or a good enamel paint thinned with Penetrol to help it penetrate a bit deeper. I don't want to put anything back naked. The wood I mean, not me.

I'll be back to the boat on Friday and I'll get some pics of the work so far.

[Venchka]

GEEEEEEEEEEzzzzzzzzzeeeeeeeeeee

First porta-potties, now red lead. What next? Beer? EH? I hope the "do-gooders" responsible get rot where they don't want it and loose something important.

Can you buy red lead powder and make your own primer? Copper napthenate under some good paint?

Wayne
In the Swamp. :D

[Bob Smalser]

http://www.woodenboat-ubb.com/ubb/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=4;t=002736

Look up Terry Etapa...he's buying Red Lead up at Campbell River BC.

[Stan Derelian]

If its illegal here that must be new, because I got both red lead primer, and putty last year from Industrial Plastics in Victoria. The manufacturer is Consolidated Coatings, Delta, BC Phone: 604 946-7626.

[RonW]

yep, swampland Wayne said it the best.

--copper napthenate under some good paint-- oil based paint.

copper napthenate, also known as cuprinol and another brand name is jasco, sold at home depot.
That's all you need.

[apindrans]

There is the same problem in Australia regarding red lead. One or two people make a substitute (without the lead), but I have been using an International Paints product called Everdure, which is epoxy based with wood preservative.
It's easy to apply and dries quickly.

Hope this helps.

Andy

[J. A.Tones]

I think that there has been some mis-information passed out here. Red lead primer is still sold in Canada, in fact I bought a gallon (OK really it was 4 litres) last month here in Victoria and it is still on the shelves of the major boat suppliers today. I found, as did Terry Etapa, that not all stores carry it, only those catering to the commercial boys but then they carry lots of it.
If you can't find it in your neck of the country drop me a note and I will send you the name and address of a local store that carrys it and will ship anywhere in Canada for $88.00 Can./gal plus shipping.
I have been told though that it may soon be fairly rare as the demand for it is very low but it is still, at this point, being manufactured.
Good luck
John
Sidney, BC

[outofthenorm]

That's outstanding news about it still being available, at least out west. Maybe the so-called ban is an Ontario only thing. And also a good notion about the cuprinol. I'll make some calls to BC tomorrow and see what happens.

It just goes to show you that you got to be careful who you listen to.

Thanks guys!

[J. A.Tones]

If you are going to call BC stores a place to start is Trotac Marine Ltd. here in Victoria (250) 386-2341) I know they have it 'cause that's where I bought my last can plus I called them today and confirmed the fact. You might also try Steveston Marine at (604) 277-7031. They have just about anything you would ever want for a boat plus they are right in the middle of the biggest commercial fishboat harbour in the area.

Good Luck

John

[outofthenorm]

I'm happy to report that my information about red lead being illegal here is totally completely bogus. I have no idea what my source was smoking.
My first call this morning was to Consolidated Coatings and not only do they make it, but they have a sales rep about twenty minutes from here who will ship some in in a week or so.

How cool is that?
- Norm

[Venchka]

Whewwwwwwwwwww! Good news indeed. I guess beer won't be outlawed in Ontario any time soon. :D

Now, if we could just get Porta-potties reinstated, a lot of us folks with small boats could cruise Georgian Bay. How about a recall vote on the Porta-potty ban, EH?

Pay no attention to me. Elisabeth Grace has a bucket...er, bailer. tongue.gif

Wayne
In the Swamp. :D