painting tinnny

We use a Dremel with grinding wheel clean up small patches followed by epoxy. We have had little luck with patent cures which claim to turn the rust into something impregnable - it just starts to bubble up again, whatever you put on it. If you haven't used a Dremel before, I would recommend them, they look like toys but don't be fooled. They are amazingly powerful and flexible tools.
 
This is a perennnial problem - you need to strike a deal with your marina so there is some corner you can use for angle grinding. Alternatively with a generator or big inverter you can anchor off some place for this operation.

As an alternative for light rusting on an open surface, brushing with a heavy-duty wire brush fitted on the angle-grinder will clean the area without scattering hot iron filings, the bane of posh GRP. Even so, partial tenting is advisable. After wire-brushing until it looks clean, use a chemical de-ruster such as Kurust just to catch any last remains.
 
Have a chat with your local chemical company (or even your pharmacist) ask for Phosphoric acid. you are looking for between 50 on 80% solution. this will remove rust and almost any other stain with out damaging your paintwork. used it for years on GRP and on painted GRP with no damage.

Regards Simon
 
Hi folks,I have a Tahitiana made of newcastle pine(steel) last summer i did the big blast off the hull I have written a essay and put it onto a cd rom with 200 pics about the whole operation. Tried the Hilti needle gun yet? or the wetblast sand option? email for a copy
 
Hi Geoff I'm doing the exact same job at the moment, my rubbing bands are removed for a major refurb of the steelwork. I'm removing any major scale with a chipping hammer (used with care to avoid scarring the steel). Then I'm using a grinding disc to get down to fairly bare steel, followed by a flap disc (40 grit) for finishing. You need a pretty coarse grade, a finer grade can actually polish the rust without removing it. I don't know how bad your problem is, but if substantial you really need to use the decent equipment or you'll be there for ever. A Dremel type tool is only really suitable for very small patches. I have other boats on one side of me so I have to pick the right wind conditions, otherwise I would be obliged to rig proper screening/tent.
 
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