Iron Keel, rust, and

[Kevin Muhledorf]

I recently purchased a 1985 Hunter 31 with an iron keel. The keel has some rust, mostly along the leading and trailing edges and towards the bottom. My yachtyard, after inspecting, suggested doing the work myself. I am following the procedure posted on the Interlux site - blast or sand to "bright metal," (I am using a grinder as opposed to sandblasting, which may be the problem) one coat Interprotect 2000e, fill with yav 135, sand, 2-3 more coats Interprotect. My question is this -having spent the better part of two days trying to get bright metal, I am only able to do so in some areas - how "bright" is "bright metal" - Is it a waste of time if there is still a dark coating on the keel before putting the first coat of Interprotect on the keel? My concern is that you are supposed to apply the Interprotect withing an hour, but it is taking too long to get down to bright metal to make that possible over large areas on the keel.

 

[Steve Dion]

Haven't done this myself.

Kevin:I have not done this myself, so all I can do is offer some suggestions. You mentioned that you used a grinder to get the cast iron bright. Have you considered a wire wheel (like a wire brush). Then you can apply primer as you go. You can polish up several square feet and then prime the area.

 

[Ken]

Steve's right

Kevin,My friend actually painted within seconds last haul no rust. He worked in small areas, actually workinging the innerlux in with a hand wire brush after using the wire wheel in that area.Ken