What to paint steel p-brackets with?

[BoatingBeginner]

My two p-brackets are made of steel, and have never been painted. The boat's been out of the water for a while, and I want to paint them before the boat goes back in as they're starting to rust badly (this never happened much while she was in the water, odly).

But what with? Presumably some kind of epoxy paint - but any particular type or brand? What about primers? Help!

 

[Seajet]

My boat has a steel keel plate, originally galvanised but that scrapes off in time.

I tried just about every coating going on the previous keel - I used to work in a chandlery and also know the engineering treatments.

I'm very wary of epoxy, as a slight crack or ding will let water in and keep it there against the steel; by far the best coating I've come across is Dulux Metalshield.

Don't laugh at the 'Dulux', this stuff stays on like no other; it's single pot, but requires the Metalshield primer, also single pot.

It's also fine on alloy.

About £22 each 750ml tin, from places like Brewers.

 

[BoatingBeginner]

Thanks for the suggestion.

I painted it once -with International Primocon, but that lasted about a week! Maybe I didn't prep the metal properly first...

 

[Seajet]

I tried Primocon, and was deeply unimpressed too, but if it only lasted a week maybe the prep' was a little lacking.

 

[BoatingBeginner]

Maybe - I used a drill with wire brush attachment, but the Primocon had virtually been completely flung off.

Does the Dulux need any form of primer/undercoat, or did you just slap it on?

 

[Seajet]

As mentioned, it needs the special Metalshield 1 pot primer; below that just a good keyed surface, be it bare metal or well attached paint, either way sanded first.

 

[ostell]

Interesting conversation, since Dulux took over Hammerite

 

[BoatingBeginner]

Thanks (sorry - should have read your post properly - was just thrilled someone could offer some advice!).

 

[Seajet]

Interesting conversation, since Dulux took over Hammerite

This Metalshield stuff has about as much relation to Hammerite - the most over-rated rubbish since the Beatles - as a Morris Minor has to a Bugatti Veyron...

 

[AndrewB]

As you say, the best answer is to keep them immersed.

Now they are rusty, no paint system on earth is going to last unless you can first rid them of the rust. If the P-brackets come off reasonably easily, get them grit blasted. If not, grind them clean, and finish with a rust-neutraliser such as Fertan. You should start painting with an etch primer, but that won't be essential as long as the steel is not highly polished. A zinc based epoxy primer is probably the best paint to use - three coats at least. It can be directly overcoated with antifouling, though a barrier coat of chlorinated rubber paint would be ideal - but not really worth it for just a couple of P-brackets.

Don't knock Primocon, which is intended as a cheaper alternative to two-pack epoxy, and works reasonably well *provided* the rust is completely cleared. If you ask a yard to do the job, that is what they will use.

 

[lenseman]

Rub it down then treat it with Naval Jelly first before primer coat.

Google "Naval Jelly"

 

[Jassira]

I've owned a steel boat for the last 10 years and the best paint I have found is two pack coal tar epoxy (Sigmacover 300 or similar). At least 3 coats, but the more the merrier.
Preparation is an issue, grit blasting it ideal, as grinders, sanders and the like tend to leave a polished surface, but at the end of the day, you can only do your best.
The tree huggers don't like it, it's a bit difficult to source, the smallest size I have found is 4lt and it bleeds through anything you try to over coat it with, but it doesn't cost a fortune (4lt about £40) , it's very tough as old boots and sticks like that stuff to the blanket.

 

[ostell]

This Metalshield stuff has about as much relation to Hammerite - the most over-rated rubbish since the Beatles - as a Morris Minor has to a Bugatti Veyron...

It's amazing what advertising can do. Dulux own the Hammerite brand now (look at the tin) so it seems strange that they should now have the same range of products that Hammerite have on the market.

 

[rogerthebodger]

I've owned a steel boat for the last 10 years and the best paint I have found is two pack coal tar epoxy (Sigmacover 300 or similar). At least 3 coats, but the more the merrier.
Preparation is an issue, grit blasting it ideal, as grinders, sanders and the like tend to leave a polished surface, but at the end of the day, you can only do your best.
The tree huggers don't like it, it's a bit difficult to source, the smallest size I have found is 4lt and it bleeds through anything you try to over coat it with, but it doesn't cost a fortune (4lt about £40) , it's very tough as old boots and sticks like that stuff to the blanket.

I also have a steel boat and 110 % agree with the above.

two pack coal tar epoxy in not a brittle as normal epoxy and is also less hygroscopic. (less permeable to water than even normal epoxy).

 

[BoatingBeginner]

Thanks very much for your suggestions.