Iron filings all over Play d'eau

Piers

Piers

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Location
Guernsey, Channel Islands
www.playdeau.com
Aargh! A contractor at Beaucette Marina has been replacing a number of the huge girders which hold the pontoons in place. The cutting and grinding that went on has covered some of the boats in fine iron filings. Although Play d'eau was furthest away, the strong winds have carried the filings and they are all over the boat.

I'm having an estimate tomorrow but initial thoughts are 2 men for 10 days. Using an acid to dissolve the iron and remove the rust stains, followed by a full cut back and polish. And that's before we look at the teak decking to see what that might need.

Other boats in the marina have suffered worse then Play d'eau....Just hope the contractor has a good insurance.
 
Piers said:
Aargh! A contractor at Beaucette Marina has been replacing a number of the huge girders which hold the pontoons in place. The cutting and grinding that went on has covered some of the boats in fine iron filings. Although Play d'eau was furthest away, the strong winds have carried the filings and they are all over the boat.

I'm having an estimate tomorrow but initial thoughts are 2 men for 10 days. Using an acid to dissolve the iron and remove the rust stains, followed by a full cut back and polish. And that's before we look at the teak decking to see what that might need.

Other boats in the marina have suffered worse then Play d'eau....Just hope the contractor has a good insurance.
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what a nightmare, often especially with the boats closer to where the grinding was done these filing when hot attach themselves to GRP very well indeed, if not attended to these can weep rust spots for years to come. Sounds like you are on top of the remedy, Sincerely hope you do not have an issue with the claim.
 
That's nasty! I used to overwinter my sailing boat at MDL Saxon Wharf (Southampton) and would often find the boat covered in fine metal dirt and dust, blown over from the large mountain of scrap metal on the wharf next door... not as serious as your issue though as this stuff would wash away, though still inconvenient and a pain to deal with.
Good luck with your situation - 'hope it's properly dealt with by the culprit.
 
I had the same when I was moored in Ocean Village some years ago when they were building the flats there - it happened twice. A really horrible mess on the boat, but the contractors put it right on both occasions and IIRC wasn't as big a job as I had first feared, but the process was the same as you mention - some sort of acid then a cut & polish.
 
there is a car valeting product called iron x.

IT is designed to remove metal dust ( mostly from brakes ) from cars.

It might be worth a small sample area test.

I had something similar in jersey when they were building a hotel by the marina.
 
Oxalic acid. Bar keepers friend power cream will remove rust staining from GRP. But if the problem is hot iron particles it may be a more difficult problem to solve.
 
jrudge said:
there is a car valeting product called iron x.

IT is designed to remove metal dust ( mostly from brakes ) from cars.

It might be worth a small sample area test.

I had something similar in jersey when they were building a hotel by the marina.
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have come across that product, very common problem with commuters who park their cars in station cars parks every day next to the railway lines, trains have or certainly had cast iron brake blocks, can still be a problem
 
I use a product called Feromet (I think thats how it is spelt) only ever seen it in Spain though. Pink liquid disolves rust stains and iron fillings very quickly, leaves no mark or stain in about 10 - 20 minutes depending. Its designed for getting rid of rust stains around stainless fittings. I had to use it to remove some self inflicted iron fillings etc from white gel coat bilge area.
Can't use it on teak though- a good stiff brush would probably shift that along with wessex two pack for any marks.
 
Not that an unusual a problem and quickly and easily sorted by any marine valeter who knows his stuff.

It can be sorted in not too serious cases by owners if no obvious source of blame.
Even if not rectified immediately rust spots will diminish with repeated cleaning.
 
kashurst said:
I use a product called Feromet (I think thats how it is spelt) only ever seen it in Spain though.
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I used the exact same (in Spain) after the guy next door had some metal work done. The deck was quite a mess but after just touching each spot with the product, the rust spots just disappeared never to return.
Best of luck with your more severe problem but I'm sure all will be fine after the treatment.
 
Ironx or fallout remover might help but be carful as it can react and rust certain metals afaik (not sure how much of an issue this would be with stainless though). It might also be worth trying a claybar or claybar mitt and some detailing spray or claybar lube - for the sake of a few quid it might work well.
 
Whopper said:
It might also be worth trying a claybar or claybar mitt and some detailing spray or claybar lube - for the sake of a few quid it might work well.
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The claybar is a great way to remove any contaminants from a painted surface in the automotive industry, and should be fine on smooth gelcoat, lubed of course, I use either window cleaner or heavily diluted detergent.
Any existing rust of course, oxalic or equivalent.
 
Marine & General came to inspect Play d'eau today after speaking with Fleming's GRP specialist. They've tested one area and want to wait to see if any further rust staining returns by Monday. After this, they will complete an estimate.
 
Piers said:
Marine & General came to inspect Play d'eau today after speaking with Fleming's GRP specialist. They've tested one area and want to wait to see if any further rust staining returns by Monday. After this, they will complete an estimate.
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What a pain!

Anyhow, might be worth a call to Scott Bader or whoever supplied Fleming with their gelcoat for a second opinion.
 
Working in marinas most days it never ceases to amaze me how stupid they are.
There all getting to think more about health and safety rules than how to do a job without any real though just H and S and that’s it , this is a typical example of someone not watching what is actually going off in the marina, obviously work that’s required On a maintenance level by an outside contractor who has no idea what damage this does to GRP Like already said I hope his insurance will cover the cost to rectify the damage , if not the marinas liability to you should as they employed them. I bet it states your boats in there marina though at your risk in which case the duty of care card might need to be played.
 
Piers said:
Marine & General came to inspect Play d'eau today after speaking with Fleming's GRP specialist. They've tested one area and want to wait to see if any further rust staining returns by Monday. After this, they will complete an estimate.
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Good luck. Can be soul destroying that. Last year when they lifted my boat in, after replacing the vinyls and getting a professional polisher in, some yard hand tramped all over the boat in muddy black soled work boots, and scuffed the vinyl to boot, tramping over those as well. Was livid and heartbroken all at once.
 
BruceK said:
Good luck. Can be soul destroying that. Last year when they lifted my boat in, after replacing the vinyls and getting a professional polisher in, some yard hand tramped all over the boat in muddy black soled work boots, and scuffed the vinyl to boot, tramping over those as well. Was livid and heartbroken all at once.
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Many years ago they use to almost do this on purpose at a Marina nr Portsmouth soul destroying when on newly delivered boats straight off the truck.
 
Phildorset said:
That's nasty! I used to overwinter my sailing boat at MDL Saxon Wharf (Southampton) and would often find the boat covered in fine metal dirt and dust, blown over from the large mountain of scrap metal on the wharf next door... not as serious as your issue though as this stuff would wash away, though still inconvenient and a pain to deal with.
Good luck with your situation - 'hope it's properly dealt with by the culprit.
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I still berth at Saxon Wharf, MDL did i believe pursue the scrap yard through environmental dept, this has reduced the issue but I had made a customer all over cover which keeps the boat so much cleaner
 
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