Welcome to Marine Shield, supplied to the industry by Ocean Flexible Coatings.
Marine Shield UV Sail Flex is a revolutionary paint system that has been kept as a secret and used for the elite, until now.
Currently only available in the UK and New Zealand this paint is the perfect alternative to the sewn on sacrificial UV strip of cloth that would have traditionally been stitched on and replaced periodically. MSUV Sail Flex replaces the need for the extra weight in sail cloth and it protects the exposed edge and critically the stitching.
The new approach to UV strip/banding providing 99% UV Protection
Developed over 15 years ago in New Zealand, Marine Shield, light weight UV paint system. Has been tried and tested in extreme weather conditions, and put through its paces with extensive testing from dinghies and day yachts, to ocean going superyachts backing up its it's claims of up to 99% UV protection.
Sail Flex
99% UV Protection
Up to 99% UV protection with our 3-coat system.
Mould Resistant
Algae and fungi inhibitors to help prevent the penetration to fibres and discolouration, substantially reducing mould
Protect
Chemical and oil stain resistant.
Colour Fast
Colour fast - A great choice of core colours but any colour is possible, we can even match to your fabric or pantone for that customised look
Hydrophobic
Repels water aiding cleanliness and weight efficiency
Robust
Good chafing capability.
Flexible
High rate of flexibility
Lightweight
approx. 60 microns thickness
Sail Flex Colours
The Marine Shield UV Sail Flex Range of Core Colours
Marine Shield can tailor make you almost any colour desired but this process does require advanced ordering and carries a cost enhancement, please ask for more information.
Sail Flex Clear
Developed from the same family of UV protection products, Marine Shield UV Sail Flex Clear is a clear layer that has multiple uses.
UV Protection:
Offering up to 50 % UV protection when used as a UV strip band and ideal as it blends into the sail creating an invisible look with all the Marine Shield protection.
As a seam sealer:
To prevent the Marine Shield pigmented colours from seeping through stitch holes.
Used as Layer 1 of the 3 step application that offers up to 99 % UV protection, it means your coloured Marine Shield paint will go further
Full Sail Coverage:
MSUV Clear Sail Flex can be used across your entire sail, this will give you a lightweight level of protection that will assist with maintaining the general condition of the sail, offering some protection to the sail cloth and stitching and helping you to clean off your sail.
MSUV Clear has been used in this way in Europe and the Middle East where the Sahara sands, often named ‘Red Rain’* cause many cleaning issues, not only with boats in transit but with moored vessels
By having just one layer of MSUV Sail Flex Clear, this means that ‘red dust’ will wash off, without staining your sail and without having to launder or scrub. MSUV Clear has a semi gloss appearance, similar to a satin paint in finish.
Branding Protection:
MSUV Sail Flex clear coat can also protect any sail branding that has been either painted on, or applied on as a vinyl sticker, meaning it will provide longevity to the branding, stabilising not only the graphics but offering a layer of protection from UV, which does not yellow over time.
*Red Rain- This is where relatively high concentrations of red coloured dust or particles get mixed into rain, giving it a red appearance as it falls.
Environment
OUR PRODUCTS CONTAIN ZERO FLUOROCARBONS
Fluorocarbons are fluorinated organic molecules widely called PFAS.
A Ban of PFAS was submitted in July 2022, after which the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) will perform both a social-economic and a risk assessment of the proposal.
A final agreement by EU countries could come by 2025.
PFAS substances, which don't break down naturally, have been shown to accumulate in the environment and cause a host of health conditions, including cancer, liver damage and decreased fertility. Data from the U.S. Environment Protection Agency also showed that their production releases potent greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to climate change. It can take more than 450 years for PVC to biodegrade.
Ocean Flexible Coatings is proud to work alongside Marine Shield highlighting this problem and enforcing this change. The Marine Shield suite of products contain no fluorocarbons.
Marine Shields’ coatings are exclusive and have specific requirements that are outside of the capabilities of most manufactures, the MS200 Flex still performs and can out perform coatings that do have PFAS in them.
FAQ
What is Marine Shield UV Sail Flex paint?
Marine Shield UV Sail Flex is a modern approach to
a traditional sewn on strip. MSUV Sail Flex is a unique
system that has been designed to protect not only the
sail material, but also the seams and stitching.
Marine Shield paint is made up of absorbers, scatterers and inhibitors which work together to re-direct the sunlight away from the cloth.
With a 2-3 layer application, this provides the material with up to 99% UV protection with the added benefit of algae and fungi inhibitors, good chafing resistance, a high rate of flexibility, stain resistance and sail longevity
Marine Shield UV Sail Flex paint is a trade only
product, therefore it must be applied by a trained
applicator.
To our knowledge, there is no comparable paint
anywhere else in the world.
How long does it last on the sail?
Depending on the wear and tear, it will have an estimated full UV protection lifespan of 4-5 years in the Northern hemisphere and 3-5 years in the Southern hemisphere.
After this time, MSUV Sail Flex can be re-applied to a keyed surface with a further 2 layers of MSUV Sail Flex.
What is the application process?
Sailmakers and Ocean Flexible Coatings have formulas to calculate the area and cost of the UV strip / banding, based on the foot length and leech size, we also need to know the width of the exposed edge for your boat, and what your sail material is. From this information we provide a quote.
We are pleased to confirm that Marine Shield UV Sail Flex contains NO FLUROCARBONS or PFAS, these are the chemicals that are known as forever chemicals as they do not ever break down. Please contact your local sailmaker for more information, or Ocean Flexible Coatings directly. For further information, call our team now on +44 (0) 23 8212 8444 or email us at info@oceanflexiblecoatings.co.uk