Rusty Anchor..

[St Andrew]

Need advice on treatment of a rusty anchor.... sand down / seal / anti- rust paint

[noelex 77]

Regalvanising is the only durable coating. Most anchors can be regalvanised reasonably cheaply, but it is difficult/impossible in some anchors with lead ballast.

Paint does not last very long on an anchor that is used frequently. Some galvanisers don't like, or charge more for products that have been painted, so try an avoid it if you plan to regalvanise in the future.

Anchors have improved dramatically over the last decade or so its worth considering if a new anchor may be worthwhile. If you keep the old anchor just as spare (to cover a lost anchor) painting with a zinc rich paint is fine if it only has to sit in a locker.

Spade have a zinc/epoxy coating system that they have developed (because their anchor is difficult/impossible to regalvanise). It is reasonably expensive and still does not last long, but it could be used on any steel anchor so it may be worth considering, or perhaps copying using generic products if you don't want to regalvanise. Presumably they have developed a paint system that is optimum, but don't expect miracles.

Here is a link:
Anchor Kit; #1 Refinishing Anchor Kit by Sea Tech and Fun USA

Otherwise its attack with an angle grinder to get rid of the rust (sand blasting is better, but if going to this trouble regalvanlising is far superior) then some paint like this:

[captain58sailin]

Use it, wear off the rust. Otherwise you can regalvanize it.

[gjordan]

Why is it that regalvanising is so hard for an anchor that has lead in the tip (ie plow)????? I would think that the original maker galvanised them, and then poured the lead. If lead was melted out before the anchor was sent to the regalvaniser , and then fresh lead poured after regalvanising, then I dont see a problem. Every seaport has people that cast lead fishing weights, so finding someone with a lead pot should not be too hard. Am I missing some major point that makes it a bad idea??? _____Grant.

[noelex 77]

The original CQR did not use lead for its tip weight, so regalvanlising is not a problem. This is the same with most other anchors. Ultra is the only new generation anchor other than the Spade with lead in the tip and it is made in Stainless Steel partially to eliminate this problem. The aluminium Excel (but not the steel version) also has a lead tip weight, but galvanisation is not used on aluminium.

I not sure how Spade overcome the problem when manufacturing their anchor (does anyone know). Spade state it cannot be regalvanised. I suspect a rusty Spade could be "flame spray galvanised" rather than hot dip galvanised, but I never met someone that has managed to have this done.

[gjordan]

You just shattered a 40 year belief of lead in the tip of a CQR. I always had heard they had lead, but after owning 5 of them, I wondered where it was put. Now I wonder how many of my other long held beliefs are wrong. I guess we are never too old to learn. I am actually waiting on an email right now to possibly buy another CQR tomorrow. Must be a slow learner. _____Grant.

[noelex 77]

Originally Posted by gjordan

Must be a slow learner. _____Grant.

Don't feel bad I thought the same thing until reciently

My excuse is that most anchors I see are on the seabed, where the tip balast cannot be seen, but that ignores that I have a CQR stored away in an outside locker.

[gjordan]

I must say that I have had very good luck with CQRs, but one of mine was an imitation (Danforth plow) which wasnt worth spit. Of course I am one of those guys that believes bigger is better. It works for me. ______Grant.

[charliehows]

hmmm...rusty anchor...yeah, been looking at the rust on my CQR for a few years now, wondering if i should do something about it. Might put the question to the next EntMoot...

[svsoltura]

How about sandblasting and then having it zinc and clear dichromate plated? Any thoughts?

[Scott Berg]

I've had several (and a lot of chain) dipped and galvanizing galvanized... Like new afterwards. Not all shops can do chain, requires a shaker basket. The jobber in Aston, VA, is great...

[hpeer]

I paint mine with Ameron zinc rich epoxy, 302. Two part epoxy paint. Comes in gallon cans for under $60. LOTS cheaper than the Spade stuff. Hell, I even paint the new anchors, to protect the galvanizing. Just mix up as much as you need, save the rest, it lasts a long time in the can.

PPG sells it, they deliver it to my door at no charge!

Bet you haven't heard THAT for a long while.

[billr]

When I was living in Micronesia I tried some "Cold Zinc" epoxy based paint. It lasted 6 months in the sun. Of course, that was about as long as any un-protected organic coating lasted out there. Hot dip galvanization seems to be the best way to go.
Billr

[M/V Moonchild]

Good Morning From St Maarten ! i just refurbished my 60 LB CQR ... used an angle grinder, then brushed on Ospho, then applied 93 % zinc rich sealer/anti corrosion paint ... and given the ease with which this was accomplished, i would repeat yearly ( without grinding) as necessary.

[Spade Anchor]

Noelex as usual is spot on. We have a 2 part epoxy resin kit that works well. It is not perfect. It is rated for 89 days underwater use with out showing any signs of defect ( chipping, flaking, or smearing). $89.99
The Spade Anchor can be re galvanized. The issue is it takes extra steps and some shops do not want to mess with it. You have to melt out the lead in the tip first. Then sand blast the anchor. Then Re galvanize it. Add a liner between the lead and the anchor (paint). After that the correct amount of lead has to be added back to the anchor. So most shops can do it but do not want to do it.