Felix Pole was an ambitious employee of the Great Western Railway. Born in 1877, by the age of 27 he was working in...
Cart 0 Product Products (empty)
No products
Free shipping! Shipping
£ 0.00 Total
Product successfully added to your shopping cart
Quantity
Total
There are 0 items in your cart. There is 1 item in your cart.
Total products (tax incl.)
Total shipping (tax excl.) Free shipping!
Total (tax incl.)
Search Tips
Tips categories
Latest Tips
-
What is a Felix Pole wagon?Read more -
Can I undercoat in black if I am going to paint white?Read moreYes, you can use a black undercoat if you are painting something white but ideally you should look at using a white...
-
How do you weather a model ship's decking?Read moreWeathering your ship's decking will provide spectacular results to the overall appearance of the model, especially if...
-
What is a "helping hand" tool?Read moreIntroducing the most useful piece of kit that any modeller could have in their toolbox. It is called a helping hand...
-
What is code 83 track used for?Read moreCode 83 track is used to represent North American railway track prototypically used on main lines and for heavy...
Why are ships' hulls painted red beneath the waterline?
Painting ships' hulls red beneath the waterline serves a specific purpose and has been a longstanding tradition in the maritime industry. The primary reason for this practice is to prevent the growth of marine organisms, such as barnacles and algae, on the ship's hull.
The red paint used on ship hulls is typically an anti-fouling paint, specifically designed to inhibit the attachment and growth of these organisms. Historically, the red colour was indicative of higher levels of copper oxide in the paint. This acts as a biocide, thus preventing the build up of marine growth which would reduce performance by increasing the drag on the ship's hull, thus improving a Ship's overall performance.
Modern versions of anti-fouling paints are specially formulated so that they act as a biocide to protect the ship from fouling but do not pollute the marine environment with harmful and toxic chemicals. Though the changed contents reflect the need to protect the environment from pollution, modern paints still retain their red colour. Additionally, anti-fouling paint contains components that help protect the ship's hull by forming a barrier to corrosion.
The red colour also has another advantage. It allows easy identification of the waterline, especially in poor visibility or when the ship is partially submerged. This helps the crew and other maritime personnel to quickly assess the ship's position in the water, ensuring safe navigation.
It's worth mentioning that the use of red paint beneath the waterline is not limited to ships. It is also common in other watercraft, such as fishing boats and yachts, for the same reasons.
In terms of scale modelling, for modellers replicating a ship or boat, it is recommended to use red paint beneath the waterline to add realism to the model. There are various brands of anti-fouling paints available specifically for model ships, which can easily be found in hobby stores or online.
Posted in: Best practices
Click here to receive the tips weekly in your mailbox. You can unsubscribe at any time.
Related products
Model Air - Hull Red
Price: £ 3.00Model Air - Hull Red Developed especially for airbrush techniques, with very...
Related posts
-
Do I need a respirator?If you are using an aerosol spray paint you should always use one. Always read the manufacturer’s... - How to remove super glue (cyanoacrylate)?Cyanoacrylate is best known as super glue. The best way to remove it is with acetone or an acetone-based product...
- What is the best wood for baseboards?The most common wood for baseboards is probably chipboard as this is relatively inexpensive. Plywood is another...
- How do I stick parts together for a test fit?There are several trains of thought on the best way to secure parts together temporarily. Some suggest using a small...
- How to clean model railways track?There is of course the old tried and tested method, the track rubber which does the job, no railway modeller should...