Anchor coating

[vhoisington]

Hello all,

I have an old (40 years) steel anchor which was probably originally galvanized and is now painted white. After 40 years, the rust is starting to show. I'm looking at alternatives.

Obviously, replacement is the best but new anchors are expensive and other than the rust the anchor is in good shape. So after sandblasting the best I can tell my options are as follows:

- Repaint - easiest but will require constant maintenance
- Hot dip galvanize - not sure the cost but probably the best long term solution
- Powder coating - interesting idea I've never heard discussed. Can you even powder oat an anchor and will it hold up to salt water?

So for options 2 or 3 what are everyone's thoughts? What other options should I consider. If I choose the Hot dip galvanize can I do the chain as well. Would that work for powder coating?

Again, thanks for the feedback and opinions everyone always has good ideas.

 

[jssailem]

I have not seen a powder coating that can stand up to the scraping of rocks or coral. Touch up is non existent.

So Galvanized or paint. Paint is going to chip on the rocks but can be easily repainted.
Galvanizing will last for a while then you will repeat when it wears through from normal use.

Your boat, your time. your choice. What a great country....

 

[Chief RA]

Cut off the paint, spray on the galvanized stuff! Chief

 

[gettinthere]

use a bronze wire brush to clean off loose rust and old paint. Paint rust with ospho rust reformer. Then spray galvanizing paint on the whole anchor. You will need to renew this as using the anchor will rub off the paint. How often depends on frequency and type of bottom you are anchoring in. Mud wont do much but gravel certainly will.

 

[Gunni]

You should have a hot-dip galvanizing shop in the Bay Area. And yes, take your chain to them and do the whole thing. Mark the current anchor end and swap it to the other end upon reinstall.

 

[gettinthere]

I had a horrible experience hot dipping used chain. From very experienced sources, I learned there are very few that can do rusty chain properly. I think there needs to be a process that preps the rusty parts that many hot dip galvanizers dont do because they arent dipping old metal. I believe there is a good dipper in Virginia. I think it relates to new vs old facilities, maybe epa regulations?
My experience was that all the galvanizing chipped off where there was rust. Useless.

 

[Gunni]

Valmont Coatings in Petersburg. However there is a place in Oakland, CA. It is essential that the chain is first pickled in acid. For an anchor I would wire brush any heavy rust first.

 

[gettinthere]

Acid pickling, that's the ticket! Seems that some dont.

 

[vhoisington]

Cool, Thanks to everyone for their reply's. Further research shows that Powder Coating is soft and will be easily rubbed off, might as well save the effort and just go with a good paint. For the best option I should get it cleaned pckled and the HD Galvanized, that will provide the best long term coating.

Again, thanks to everyone for the great details/information

Victor

 

[thinwater]

If the anchor is 40 years old, it is probably so outdated as to not justify the HD galv. Really.
What is it?

 

[JamesG161]

Why worry?
Does your anchor locker wet the anchor or chain? If no bathing from rain or salt water in storage, then inspect it.

You have to loose 25% of the steel to meet original design loads.

Rust is an ugly scab to prevent further oxidation in storage.
Jim...

 

[vhoisington]

The anchor is kept on the bowsprit as one of 2 anchors. Chain is fed through a endless to a chain locker no closed storage on the bow for anchors. I'll probably get it Hot Dipped, along with the chain

Thanks