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MadDog's avatar

When will we hear from Mrs B. Frank Franklin?

Only she can reveal the whole details and the truth of B. Frank Franklin story’s. !!

Sincerely Perc Sane the 2nd

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Eric Russell's avatar

About 22 years ago, I left well-paid employment in the wake of 9/11 and went to work as research and marketing director for a chemical company that had developed a "miracle" coating designed to prevent barnacle and growth development.

Our initial results looked good, at least for the New York area. The barnacles were not able to adhere to the environmentally friendly gel. In real world speak, that means nontoxic. When we gave out samples at the New York Boat Show, we emphasized that the product was experimental. Several of the volunteers took it to Florida. About 6 weeks later, they had a fine crop of barnacles and other opportunistic growth. Boy, did we get damage suits for the cost of haulout and removal. One "victim" even tried to get us to pay for a coat of regular bottom paint.

The company tried a couple of other formulations, finally going to a harder formulation using an epoxy-like material. I tried to get them to reverse course and go back to gels. They had brought me in for my maritime background and ignored what I had to say.

It seems that barnacle larvae exude an acid etching glue when they land on a surface. This gives them a strong attachment to the surface, making them very hard, as you discovered, to remove. The harder the substrate, the stronger the adhesion. If it's any consolation, they are no easier to remove when the boat has just been hauled.

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