Zinc paint for rusty keels

[Paul]

It was recently suggested that I repair my slightly rusted steel keel by removing all the rust and then painting with a "zinc" based paint to eliminate any possible corrosion. Finally I will be painting the hull and keel with an antifoul paint. One question. Is there a possiblity that it will corrode due to stray electronics in the water?Comments...

 

[Scott Satur]

Rusty Keel

When I bought my 25.5 8 years ago it's keel was very rusty. The dealer I bought it from suggested sanding the keel down to bright metal and put a barrier coat on it. I used Interlux 2001 for the barrier coat and besides a couple of touch up's over the past couple of years I haven't had a problem with the keel rusting. This is the method that I'd recommend since it has worked so well for me.

 

[Graham Green]

Zinc

depends if you are sailing in fresh or salt cos in salt especially, you are making a battery and you will lose your A/F!! better to use a conventional anticorrosive paint designed for u/w application.

 

[Mike]

Rusty Keel

We had the same thing on a tanzer 22. After we knocked the loose rust off with a wire brush and grinder we painted with Rustoleum Rusty Metal Primer. Then 6 coats of Primocon. In fresh water this worked well.

 

[John Dawson]

Rustlok and Rustlock

Rustoleum might be a similar product but my friend with a steel boat recommends Rustlok from Pettit or Rustlock from West Marine for metal etching/priming.

 

[Daryl]

Rusty Keel

Do it right or don't do it at all. If you plan to wire brush or scrape off the rust it will be back very soon. The proper method is to sand blast the iron and coat it within an hour. I've had best results using west epoxy. I used Petit Rustlok once after grinding the rust off and it was back in 1-2 years. Had similiar results using VC Tar barrier coat. If you decide not to sand blast, touch up your rusty spots and plan on doing it every time you haul.Rust Never Sleeps

 

[John K Kudera]

Like the others

who posted, I use rustlock, there is always a small amount of rust, but I clean it off and prime with the rustlock before the bottom paint, its a pain, but must be done, nothing lasts forever!