Steel Keel Painting

[Arrann1]

I have read with interest past posts on this subject and would just like to clarify the processs for painting of a keel with minor rust spots.

Am I correct that the approach is basically as follows:

1. Remove blistered and loose antifoul and clean all areas that show signs of any rust. I understand that the final phase of cleaning can be acomplished with hydrochloric acid.

2. Neutralise with a rust inhibitor. Any suggestions?

3. Prime bare metal with a suitable underwater primer for steel (zinc phosphate based again any suggestions?...or alternatively I have some of the west system epoxy can I use this?

4. Fill areas that have bad corrosion or are just casting faults with suitable filler...epoxy again? On this issue How worried should I be about filling minor areas of imperfection when there is no sign of any major rust where keel attaches to hull?

5. Add more primer as required to filled areas.

6. Paint with antifoul.

Have i got the basic approach right?

Thanks in advance for your oppinions.

 

[rogerthebodger]

Only real way is dry grit blast to clean "white" metal and prime with epoxy tar with in 4 hours.

Thats how I did my steel boat.

 

[kgwanchos]

after extensive research and questions on this forum I opted for the POR-15 treatment on my bare steel keels on a Trident 24 (www.frost.co.uk) for UK distributor. 3 Coats black POR-15 then 2 coats POR15 Black Cote overcoat then antifoul. Surface prep is the advanatge of this stuff loose rust removal only, altho I did use a needle gun in the end as some of my rust was up to a cm thick! Cannot personaly vouch for effectiveness yet as I only just put it on but if you search the internet you will find alot of fans of this stuff. As with all these things the key is in the prep of course...... Good Luck

 

[KellysEye]

Sand blasting is the only way to get rid of all corrosion. Immediately after blasting use compressed air to clean the keel i.e. use same kit used for blasting but with no sand. Immediately after cleaning apply one coat of zinc rich epoxy. Fill with epoxy filler. Apply three coats of epoxy primer. Antifoul.

Note: immediately means immediately, do not delay, corrosion sets in fast.