Treating Rust on an Anchor

[Stemar]

I have a couple of Danforth type anchors on Jazzcat but, while they're still solid, on one, there's quite a lot of thick rust, especially on the crossbar. The other has a lot of surface rust, basically no more galvanising.

I propose to bash off what I can of the thick rust then give then a good going over with a wire brush in a drill and treat them to a few coats use a cold galvanising paint. Any better ideas? Would it help to give a Fertan treatment first, or would that defeat any protection the zinc paint could give?

I'm not so enamoured of them that I want to pay for a professional treatment and proper galvanising.

Thanks in advance

 

[vyv_cox]

My Delta had become very rusty at the tip where the galvanizing was worn away. I etch primed it to allow the top coat to adhere, then painted with zinc rich paint. Both were aerosols bought in Corsica. I used the anchor for two seasons, anchoring every night, then bought my Rocna. Since then the Delta has been carried as a spare, for 10 years. When last seen it was only lightly rusted.

 

[neil_s]

My rusty CQR gets treated with etch primer on the exposed metal and then several coats of Dulux. I have to re-do the hinge pin and the plough edges every year, but I like it glossy white - it blends in with the hull colour!

 

[billyfish]

Get them regalvanized you might be surprised how cheap it is. The main cost is getting them there. I took mine to a place near Southampton. Once painted you can't do it .

 

[Neeves]

If you paint it is quite feasible to remove the paint using paint stripper and a wire brush - but you need decent protective kit, gloves, goggles etc. I buy powder coated components for the rode from the lifting industry, this is how I treat them prior to galvanising. The galvanisers are quite happy and the finish is good.

Left to right, as received, after coating removed and the final galvanised products below.





However I would agree with BillyFish - check out galvanising (speak to your local blacksmith who repairs or makes agricultural equipment and add your anchors to one of his deliveries) - it might cost a slab.

If you paint - you will need to paint frequently if you use the anchors.

Personally I'd dump the Danforth (copies?) and invest in a Fortress off Ebay.

Jonathan