Rust neutraliser

[AndrewB]

What is the best, most powerful rust neutraliser for use on a mild steel hull?

(I appreciate grit blasting or angle grinding are better, but for a couple of small patches in my bilge the first is too messy and the second is impractical).

 

[castaway]

Have you heard of a product called Fertan. Its an organic based product which I think uses "tannic" acid to neutralise the rust and turn it into an inert layer. I understand that it is a similar principle to that utilised by shipwrights in the "old days" who kept their tools in a box containing oak shavings (which contain this acid in small amounts) and stopped them rusting. Great thing is, its dead easy to use and very tolerant of conditions, also a small amout goes a long way so u can splash it all over.

Do a seach for Fertan and u shud come up with a supplier

Regards Nick

 

[Guest]

Try to buy a product called git-rust it worked on my old transit van and if you can stop that type of rusting then I guess it will work for you,
came from car accesory shop don't think always of boats think what else uses the same materials.
you will find that same products are cheaper in a accesories shop than a chandler
after all car body filler is the same polyester as so called fiberglass marine products!!
adobe

 

[Guest]

I was just about to suggest Fertan it's used on oil rigs .Last price I knew was over £50.00 a gallon. It turns purple then you wash it off.
I have seen it in action and seems to do the job .
RE cleaning up , angle grinder or even a wire brush attached to a drill .
Mick

http://homepage.ntlworld.com/boats
looking for an ex trawler if you see one !!

 

[castaway]

Re Fertan (MTB reply) Ive seen it available in small amounts on the web. Cant remember which site but I found it with a search. Nick

 

[AndrewB]

Thanks guys,

I've tracked down Fertun and will check it out.

 

[Guest]

try your local car spares centre such as Halfords or other such (we don't have halfords on the IOM)
pots about 100ml about £8 each
'K-Rust' or 'Rust-eater' are available (proprietry names of Tanic acid)

 

[jeanette]

Neutralising the rust will have a very short-lived effect if the environment remains damp (which is inevitable on a boat).

Try using a spot or belt sander to prepare the metal. This works well in small spaces or on small rust spots and it is very easy to control.

Then treat the metal properly with zinc followed by paint.


Jeanette

 

[AndrewB]

Thanks for this. I appreciate the limitations of rust neutralisers, and am only too aware that if rust is not eliminated on a boat, it will become active again. The problem is that a few areas in my bilge are too cramped to allow conventional power tools to be used, otherwise I'd be using an angle grinder. I can get in a very small sander or wire-brush, but that just tends to burnish the rust rather than eliminate it.

One has to accept that yachts don't last for ever - my aim is to keep it going for as long as possible!