Small rusty areas on anchor

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I have a large (33kg) genuine Bruce anchor that has been much used though the galvanising is excellent all over except for a couple of spots where I have encountered rocks and a couple of fouled areas. In these spots, the galvanising has been broken and there are small rusty areas about 3mm diameter, mostly on the edge of the flukes. I would like to treat them to prevent the rust spreading. We use the anchor all the time in the season so painting it doesn't sound like a good idea.

Next winter I will try to get the chain and anchor re-galvanised but is there anything I can do this season? What about zinc paint? Presumably rust-treatments would dissolve the zinc or is there a chemical that is suitable? Any advice gratefully received though we are in southern Spain so sending it to a UK dealer isn't practicable.

Many thanks.
 
You can get spray on zinc, which you can use to touch it up. Sand off the rust so you have clean steel, then spray it on, and that'll last you a while. The zinc is sacrificial to the steel, so you won't see huge holes in the steel any time soon as long as there's a fair amount of galvanizing still on the anchor in general.

No reason to send it to a UK dealer. There will be local galvanizers; for maybe 50 euros max they'll redo it for you. Try asking locally, or just look in a phone directory.

If you're going to do the latter, don't bother looking for the spray-on stuff, as it'll be a waste of money.
 
Thanks. I saw spray-on zinc in the local chandlery but I wondered whether it bonds electrically to the surface to [edit] restore the self-sacrificial properties or whether it is little better than a paint. I'll give it a try. Many thanks.
 
Check out local trailor makers they send loads of stuf to the galvanisers and ask if they will include your stuff with it for a fee, I believe that its usually done by the kilo anyway so it should be no problem?
 
[ QUOTE ]
so painting it doesn't sound like a good idea.

What about zinc paint?

[/ QUOTE ]

You have there the question.... and the answer!... (In inverse order...)

You are absolutely right.. painting is NOT a good idea! as the mechanical abrasion of sand (for example..) is very strong.. and no paint, including zinc paint will last for long..

As you are planning to re-galvanise soon.. (the only good solution) I will suggest you to simply put on the rusted points, some waterproof grease.. just enough to avoid some more rusting.. and to wait until you can re-galvanise..

Safe anchoring..

Alain
www.spade-anchor.com
SWORD
 
Thanks, hylas, and thanks to all for your input. I think I'll use grease this year and be sure to regalvanise in the winter.
 
I used to have a very well used 30kg Bruce anchor on my previous boat with most of the fluke galvanising worn away. I used to brush whatever paint was available over it at the start of each season. Its now over 20 years old and is still servicable and does not seem to have lost any significant amount of steel. The current owner has treated it in the same way.
Of course if your concerns are cosmetic then more expense can be justified.
 
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