Achilles Rusty Keel

[MikeWilliams]

The centre keel of my Achilles 24 ( Triple ) is beginning to show rust through
the antifoul. Previously I have treated, painted witha zinc-based product and then re-applied anti fouling.

Does anyone know of a more permanent solution - possible encapsulating after treatment etc ?

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[philip_stevens]

You could do as I and a few others in the yard my boat is kept in have done over the past few years with rusty keels - and I will be doing with my new boat.

Get the yard to sand blast the keels to a shiny surface, and then leave it for aobut two months to aquire a surface rust film. Get a bottle of Rust Converter from Screwfix Direct, D18770-72 @ £4.99, (page 45) and apply it. Two coats would be more than ample.

It looks and has the same consistancy as double cream. When applied it goes to a purple colour and then hard black. After the two coats have dried black, apply a coat of AF.

I did my last boats keels over 5 years ago, and when she was on the slip for the buyers survey three weeks ago, there were only a couple of rust spots showing through - after 5 years and only AF on top each year.

I think the stuff Screwfix sell is the same as NeutraRust 662, that was on sale a few years ago.

<hr width=100% size=1>regards,
Philip

 

[AndCur]

Hi Mike

I to have a Achilles 24 and have never had many problems with a rusty keel. I cleaned my keel back to bare metal 4 years ago and painted it with 5/6 coats of priacon and it is still rust free. Sand blasting is the best way to go but make sure you get the coating on before you get flash rusting. Have you had a look at the Achilles web site.
http://achilles24.users.btopenworld.com/index.htm



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[MikeWilliams]

Philip

Thanks for the advice, which sounds a fairly simple way of dealing with it after sandblasting

Regards

Mike

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[MikeWilliams]

AndCur

Thanks for the advice - is Priacon a 1 or 2 part application and is it temperature-prone ?

Regards

Mike

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[philip_stevens]

Further to my last night post, the Rust Converter is water based, so it doesn't matter what the temperature or humidity is. It can be applied even on a damp or misty day. Brushes wash out in water.

I am awaiting my boatyard to sandblast the bottom and keels, so that I can epoxy the hull and treat the keels before launching next year. They will have to do the keels at least a month before I can treat them. The hull can be sandblasted at any time but I would like it done sooner rather than later to allow the hull to dry over the winter.

With this Rust Converter, you are not restricted by weather attacking the shiny keels, as you would be when applying other remedies.

<hr width=100% size=1>regards,
Philip

 

[AndCur]

Hi

Priacon is a 1 part paint so works in a wider temp range. In the past i have used 2 part paints on keels and would not recomend them unless the conditions are prefect.

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