Preparing keel after antifoul removal

[lumphammer]

We are having antifoul removed back to gel coat and keel blasted back to bare metal and then treated with Fertan.

I will be left with a lot of small holes to fill to get a smooth surface.

Should I fill and sand smooth and then prime or prime then fill the holes?

What is the best mix to do the filling? I am tempted by Chemical Metal filler but should probably use an epoxy with microfibres to bulk it out.

 

[robertj]

We are having antifoul removed back to gel coat and keel blasted back to bare metal and then treated with Fertan.

I will be left with a lot of small holes to fill to get a smooth surface.

Should I fill and sand smooth and then prime or prime then fill the holes?

What is the best mix to do the filling? I am tempted by Chemical Metal filler but should probably use an epoxy with microfibres to bulk it out.

hi

prime first then abrade slightly then fill and fair then prime again the areas that the sand paper has sanded off. then proceed to what ever top coat after before antifouling.

Ive tried, Hammerite, keel paint of some sort i cant remember, now i am into epoxy primer, then epoxy as I am doing it every 2-4yrs now but nothing seems to stop iron keels from weeping rust.

bob

 

[VicS]

After gritblastin the keel it would be sensible to test the surface with potassium ferricyanide paper
This will tell you if all traces of salt have been removed.

http://www.paint-test-equipment.co.uk/index.php?id=14

Jeez. I've just seen the price. I used to make them in the lab if anybody needed them.