Cutting a chain link bad mistake

Rhylsailer99

Rhylsailer99

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Last week I cut a chain into 2 pieces , my worst mistake was doing this on the boat on a windy day. Just got back from the boat to find orange spots everywhere, I think it's going to be a nightmare to clean off.
 
Been there done that. Oxalic acid makes them temporarily disappear, but they come back. For a permanent solution on non textured gelcoat 1200 grit or finer wet & dry then get the shine back with Farecla compound. Hand polishing small areas is fine. Give it a good hosing to finish off to wash away any bits. It doesn't take long & is easy to do.
 
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Rhylsailer99 said:
Last week I cut a chain into 2 pieces , my worst mistake was doing this on the boat on a windy day. Just got back from the boat to find orange spots everywhere, I think it's going to be a nightmare to clean off.
Click to expand...

Been there got the tee shirt...

Oxcilac acid mixed into washingup liquid will do the job...

I consider that these specks are bits of steel...that have rusted the acid will take away the rust but the steel will live on until it is all turned to rust...a few treatments over a week will probably deal with it once it gets wet in between...

Sandpaper will take away the gelcoat...which is only so thick....
 
pandos said:
Been there got the tee shirt...

Oxcilac acid mixed into washingup liquid will do the job...

I consider that these specks are bits of steel...that have rusted the acid will take away the rust but the steel will live on until it is all turned to rust...a few treatments over a week will probably deal with it once it gets wet in between...

Sandpaper will take away the gelcoat...which is only so thick....
Click to expand...

1200 to 2000 grit sandpaper only takes away the porous oxidised surface, unless you rub all afternoon. It's this porous surface that absorbs the rust staining. It takes about 5 seconds of rubbing to remove them, not enough to take off good gelcoat. The problem is gone for good. The only problem is polishing with Farecla compound afterwards soon leaves a shine you can see your fizzog in, which then shows up the rest of the boat!
 
I found that Barkeepers Friend (active ingredient = Oxalic acid) is quite effective for removing the orange stains. Use a stiff nylon brish, and hopefully some of the yet-to rust iron particles will go too. But as has been said, expect to do it several times.
 
Did you use a hacksaw or an angle grinder? If the latter the filings will be more deeply embedded in the gelcoat. For anyone else contemplating doing the same, either remove the chain from the boat or use bolt cutters.
 
As Alan d says the fragments of steel are embedded fused into the gel coat, the 'sparks' are white hot comeing off the angle grinder. Highly concentrated acid will dissolve steel, hydrochloric or sulphuric - but I would not touch it - to dangerous to handle. I suspect it can only be sourced from a laboratory supplier - and I don't know what such a concentrated acid might do to gelcoat (but its awful on skin - so don't go near it! )

Just keep applying the Oxalic as the steel oxidises - and be patient. Use a wooden chop stick and spot drop on each rust mark.

If there is any fragments on a neighbours yacht - they will not be fused to the gel coat and any stain is superficial. Swep, or wash, acid wash if stains appear subsequently - job done.

As said - use bolt croppers - that's one reason you carry them. If they are not big enough - your bolt croppers are too small :(

Jonathan
 
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