Swing keel paint

[RichieR]

Hi,

I'm going to be checking out the swing keel on my v21. There seems to be some rust bubbles. Relativity small but I want to nip it in the butt now. I'll have it moored for about 2-3 months in the summer. So any suggestions on a paint? I want to keep it cheap. I already have some industrial type rust converter/primer that works great. So after I scrap the rust off I'm going to apply some of that. I have some rustoleum professional enamel paint. But it says it's not recommended for submersion in water. So I assume I can't use that. I don't want to put a ablative or bottom type of paint on it. Since it's only going to be in fresh water for 3 months max and that stuff costs you an arm and a leg. Really just looking for a cheap paint that will seal the keel up. Thanks!

 

[Tsatzsue]

I used the converter then an industrial primer and Rustoleum grey industrial paint. That lasted two years. I sail in the ocean but trailer and it didn't last. I coated two years ago with POR 15 and top coated with Rustoleum. Still pretty good but needs touch up every year.
Ken B.
Cmdre - NETS

 

[Jackdaw]

This is really two problems:

1) Stopping/removing ALL existing rust. then

2) Keeping water/moisture off the metal

Fail either step and all your work on the other is for naught.

Probably the BEST write-up is here.
https://stingysailor.com/category/keel/

 

[RichieR]

Im debating using some rustoleum spray paint over the converter (I need to get it done quickly). Then maybe waxing the keel before I put it in the water. This may be pointless. But I figure maybe it will work to clog up some of the porousness of the paint to keep water from working it's way in. Since it will only be in fresh water for 3 months max, most likely less. I assume it will work, but then again I could be dead wrong. Any thoughts on how effective that would be?

 

[woodzy]

I can tell you from experience small rusty bubbles are the tip of iceberg check out my post on keel redo. Mine came out beautifu,but I sandblasted bondod and used two part epoxy from west marine

 

[dale4643]

I trailer my boat but I wanted a inexpensive alternative as well for painting my hull bottom and keel on my 22 Mac so did a lot of homework and found something that worked for me. I got the keel down to the metal, used POR 15 then Rustoleum Pro primer then Rustoleum Pro (available at Home Depot) topcoat with Majic catalyst hardener that I got from Tractor supply. I have not been sorry, the hardener mixed with the topcoat makes it very hard and I beach my boat all the time and that stuff will not come off (couple of minor touch ups). I don't know about submerging for that long but we keep ours in the water for 2-3 days at a time 3 times a month and I have not seen any issues. Yes there are better options for a lot more money but this has worked for me and others after I researched it online. I don't think i would use it in salt of course. It has been on there for 3 years.So if your dead set on the Rustoleum I would Google it mixed with the hardener look do that. Good luck. I think Rustoleum started out in the marine paint business BTW!