Diaper Cream

bridma · Posted: Tue Mar 29, 2016 10:58 pm Post subject: Diaper Cream

It's that time of year again boys. Have you put your diaper cream on? I did my trim tabs and transducer this morning. It sure helps keep the growth in check.

Martin.

hardee · Posted: Tue Mar 29, 2016 11:43 pm Post subject:

Hey Martin, I knew you babied your boat, but really now? Rolling Eyes

I'll bite, what are you using for diaper cream? Is that Zinc oxide stuff, Desitin? How much and how often? Or did I just get punked Embarassed

Harvey
SleepyC Moon

Aurelia · Posted: Wed Mar 30, 2016 12:17 am Post subject:

Its the real deal Harvey, I only wish our boat was in the water long enough to need it. We have spent 47 nights on the boat in two years but never more than 6 in a row so far. Great way to protect below waterline items that don't hold bottom paint well.

Oh yeah,

http://www.amazon.com/Desitin-Diaper-Maximum-Strength-Original/dp/B000056JBU/ref=sr_1_2_s_it?s=baby-products&ie=UTF8&qid=1459311547&sr=1-2&keywords=desitin

Greg

hardee · Posted: Wed Mar 30, 2016 12:27 am Post subject:

Last summer I had 6 weeks and that was broken up by 3 trailer trips, and an overnight on the trailer on each segment. The boat really came out pretty good, better than I expected. I did a wash down at the first and last trailer day but could not find a site for the second one. I do remember the trim tabs being "yucky".

Thanks Greg, it looks like I need to learn some more new "stuff".

Harvey
SleepyC Moon

JamesTXSD · Posted: Wed Mar 30, 2016 9:40 am Post subject:

Ah, you guys that live in the PNW, with your chilly water, have it made... rub on a little diaper cream and you're good to go?

Down here, in the land of swaying palm trees, warm sand, and bikinis, you can hear the critters in the water saying, "Ohhhh - fresh fiberglass! Mine! Mine! Mine!!" as you back the boat down the ramp. Without adequate bottom paint, you'll see growth and barnacles in less than two weeks.

We could probably use the diaper cream while we sit on an overturned bucket scrubbing/scraping the bottom (the boat bottom, that is) when we pull it out of the water. Wink

Regular use of the boat really helps.

Bottom paint is your friend.

BrentB · Posted: Wed Mar 30, 2016 11:29 am Post subject:

From Bennett

fyi

(SALTWATER ONLY) To deter electrolysis, a zinc anode should be attached to the top of each trim tab. Zinc must make direct contact with stainless steel. Do not paint zinc. Do not ground trim tabs to other underwater appendages.

Paint trim tabs to discourage marine growth:
1. Clean surface of all grease, oil, dirt.
2. Apply two coats of epoxy metal primer.
3. Apply two coats of anti-fouling paint. Actuator, including the piston, may be painted.

Unpainted trim tabs may acquire an orange discoloration. THIS OXIDATION
OF SURFACE CARBON MOLECULES IS NORMAL. The integrity of the stainless steel is not affected. Orange coating can be cleaned off, but may eventually return. Note: This discoloration should not be confused with the pitting and corrosion of electrolysis.

bridma · Posted: Wed Mar 30, 2016 4:35 pm Post subject:

That's the stuff Harvey. Get it from the local store. Usually $6 to $8 (Can) depending on what size tin you get. Apply it on thick, just use your finger. One tin will last two or three years up here in the PNW. I do not put it on my trim tab zincs, which I replace every year. Don't forget your transducer.

Martin.

Kushtaka · Posted: Wed Mar 30, 2016 8:56 pm Post subject:

Does the zinc oxide in the diaper cream prevent electrolysis too???

Aurelia · Posted: Wed Mar 30, 2016 10:09 pm Post subject:

Not so sure about electrolosis due to the petroleum base of the cream keeping water from contacting the zinc components very directly. The critters sure seem to stay away or have difficulty taking hold. These cremes have done as well as bottom paint on dinghy bottoms and are great on hard to paint boat bits and even done pretty well on some props. But it would be pretty messy for anything that needed handling.

Greg

hardee · Posted: Wed Mar 30, 2016 11:32 pm Post subject:

OK, I get it. Desitin Moon

How thick do you put it on? Enough to show white, or just a thin layer. It doesn't dry so, do you repeat the application ? Seems it would wear off on the bottom of the trim tab after a while, wspecially at planning speeds.

Harvey
SleepyC Moon

bridma · Posted: Wed Mar 30, 2016 11:49 pm Post subject:

Harvey,

Useing my finger, I apply a thin coating so that you can see the white smear on all the surfaces you are paying attention too. This gets me through through the algae bloom season and anything else that wants to make my trim tabs their summer home.

Martin.

AstoriaDave · Posted: Wed Mar 30, 2016 11:49 pm Post subject:

I am betting the active ingredient in Desitin makes it tough for marine life to get a healthy start. IOW, it subtly poisons the surface. It is not the base for the cream, or the zinc oxide that inhibits the fungal growth, it is the antifungal ingredients.

Zinc oxide and petroleum jelly alone would not do the job.

I bet the active ingredients become incorporated jnto the surfafe of the trim tabs.

BTW, likely it is technically illegal to apply the Desitin ... so don't tell anybody about it! Wink

hardee · Posted: Thu Mar 31, 2016 1:11 am Post subject:

Thanks for the hints, AND Dave, I would never put anything into the water that would be bad for it, but I will probably treat my boats diaper rash if it becomes an issue. Wink

Harvey
SleepyC Moon

AstoriaDave · Posted: Thu Mar 31, 2016 2:11 am Post subject:

No worries, Harvey. A few dabs of diaper cream are nothing in the scheme of pollutants issued en masse, viz., Victoria's massive straight, no treatment outfalls.

Dab away, matey!

schiavolou · Posted: Wed Feb 15, 2017 12:38 pm Post subject: Desitin/ZnO as antifouling

Practical Sailor just published part of an article on this. Bottom line, it works on trim tabs, transducers, etc. - anything that is not spinning or sliding on and off of a trailer.