What different types of marine paints are used?
Three basic types of marine paints are in use. The types are as per paint composition. 1. General purpose marine paints: Alkyd resin based, Bitumen based and Gilsonite based These paints have a protection life of about five to six months and cost relatively less. After the protection period, the vessel needs repainting. 2. Chlorinated rubber based: Good resistance to salt water and atmospheric corrosion. The protection life is about two years. 3. Epoxy resin based: This type is an expensive type, but the protection life is up to five years. There are also zinc-rich paints, which are still costlier, but the performance is very high. What paint should be applied to ships? This depends on the area of the ship. A ship has three main areas on the outside: 1. Top, which does not dip in seawater. The maximum exposure to the seawater is the sprinkles due to winds and waves 2. Ship’s side area, which is under seawater or above seawater, depending on the vessel load, draft etc. 3. Bottom, which
