Rust on anchor - how to treat?

[bobgarrett]

My Delta anchor is getting surface rust at the "pointed end" and on one corner. Any suggestions how I should treat this?

 

[Stemar]

I wouldn't worry too much, but id it bothered me, I's probably just treat it with one of the phosphoric acid rust killers.

The Right Way is, of course to have it re-galvanised.

Or throw it out because it isn't a New Generation anchor and is, therefore completely useless...

 

[Neeves]

All you have done is worn the galvanising off through use. Use it a couple of times and the rust will abrade off. I would not treat it with acid - as the acid will destroy the remaining gal that it touches. If the rust offends - attack physically (with a wire brush on an angle grinder) and then paint with a zinc based paint. This is simply decorative and will wear, very, very quickly.

If the rust is bad - contact you local galvaniser, or Geoff, and they will quote for regalvanising. But when you get the quote you might find it not worth the effort and you might be better buying a new anchor. Having said that - go round the Med and it is full of hand painted anchors, same issues. I assume they repaint every season - using whatever paint they can find (free or cheap).

Jonathan

 

[duncan99210]

The reason we (in the Med) paint our anchors is not to stop rust but so we can see them when we snorkel over them to see how well they’ve set..... Trying to see an unpainted anchor is difficult in more than a few metres of water: paint it white and it stands out nicely. And yes, it’s done every season as well as the chain at 5 and 10 metres, using the same cheapo metal enamel.

 

[vyv_cox]

I painted my Delta many years ago when the galvanising wore away. I used spray cans of etch primer and zinc based paint bought in a French DIY shop. It worked well but I only used that anchor for a couple more years, although I still carry it.

My Rocna is 10 years old and began to rust about five years ago, since when I paint it every couple of years. I do paint it white, as duncan99210 says, to make it more visible.

 

[Joker]

Why would you be worried about rust on your anchor??

 

[david_bagshaw]

Use it, will soon clean it up.

 

[sailaboutvic]

I sorted my our very easy , I sent a photo to Rocna and they give me a new anchor , I have to say I did take the piss , it was maybe a CM on the tip .

 

[MM5AHO]

For those thinking of re-galvanizing an anchor....
Don't bother for only a tip showing rust.
Don't go to a galvanizer, with only 1 anchor. (They're looking for truckloads of stuff, and tiny orders are burdensome)
Most have a minimum order invoice value, often £100 or so. That's the most expensive way to buy galvanizing.

Rather, go to a steel fabricator that gets a lot of galvanizing done and ask them to include it in their next order, and get their buying power. They might mark it up a bit to cover their costs, but you're likely to get the job done for something round 50-70pence per kg that way, as opposed to £120 for Xkg of anchor (£100+VAT)

 

[Mikedefieslife]

The reason we (in the Med) paint our anchors is not to stop rust but so we can see them when we snorkel over them to see how well they’ve set..... Trying to see an unpainted anchor is difficult in more than a few metres of water: paint it white and it stands out nicely. And yes, it’s done every season as well as the chain at 5 and 10 metres, using the same cheapo metal enamel.

I've never failed to see my regular galvanised silver/grey anchor in the med. Grey stands out well against turquois waters and light yellow/brown sand.

 

[ctva]

I sorted my our very easy , I sent a photo to Rocna and they give me a new anchor , I have to say I did take the piss , it was maybe a CM on the tip .

As far as I know, Rocnas have a life time rust warranty.

 

[Bobc]

My Delta anchor is getting surface rust at the "pointed end" and on one corner. Any suggestions how I should treat this?

My Delta has been rusty for years. DILLIGAF.

 

[bobgarrett]

Thanks all. As said it is only surface rust but makes the bow look shabby. I might rub it off occasionally.

 

[Neeves]

As has been said, don't rub it off - use it. If you don't use it - take it off, rub it down, give it a quick spray with a silver paint, keep it dry and store it in a locker.

Jonathan

 

[zoidberg]

Are we going to have a thread on the best colour to spray a rusted anchor?#

Given that the likes of Homebase are 'fire sale' selling off their surplus paints - including those fluorescent spray cans of metal paint - perhaps we might have a very vivid set of photo-pics and a 'beauty contest' of sorts....

 

[JumbleDuck]

If the rust is bad - contact you local galvaniser, or Geoff, and they will quote for regalvanising. But when you get the quote you might find it not worth the effort and you might be better buying a new anchor.

Small individual items like anchors are always expensive to regalvanise. I found a local agricultural blacksmiths who sent a lorry load off for galvanising every week and they included my CQR with one load. As I recall, I was charged 50p per kg, which meant about £6 + VAT for the job.

 

[Neeves]

I confess to having small lots done, HDG, but know no-one on whom I can piggy back (Sydney is hardly the centre of agricultural equipment). I found a slab of beer went down well - galvanising is hot work in the summer (though this might not suit UK H&S).

Jonathan

 

[biscuit]

Try Jelonite, then Zinga, a very effective cold galvanising paint.

 

[bobgarrett]

I do use it. In fact I think that might be why the galvanising has got worn off.

 

[JumbleDuck]

Try Jelonite, then Zinga, a very effective cold galvanising paint.

My Hunter 490 keel is done in Zinga. It seems to work very well when undisturbed, but is brittle and breaks off easily.