Corrosion - a bit of winter maintenance

Keith Hart · 14 January 2004, 10:52

'Pentland Warrior' - formerly 'Quicksilver' is about 3.5 years old now. It is used all seasons of the year and was out in sub-zero temperatures last week.

Each time it is out the engine is flushed (I now have my own barrel) and the boat is thoroughly washed down with fresh water, dried then put away in my garage. The windows of the garage are covered so that the sunlight does not fade the fabric of the boat. I also let some air out of the tubes so it is not 'under tension'.

Yes, when it is out and about it does get a bit of stick! But when back on land it is thoroughly looked after.

Anyway I gave it a check over in the new year and I found that the engine plate on the transom had gone a bit powdery and the coating seemed to be comming off. I decided to take the plate off and pain it.

However the stainless steel screws were impossible for me to shift. So, over to my pal Charlie (you know, him with the world's best shed), to drill them out. He had just cleaned our chinmey so he was already on hand!

When we (okay, when Charlie) had got the plate off I was amazed to find that the coating from the back of the plate fell off in one piece revealing a rather badly corroded rear.

Anyway a tin of Hammerite paint and 24 hours later and all was cured and the plate was refitted looking nice and new again.

I must admit that I was surprised that after all that cleaning and hosing and being kept out of the water the plate had still corroded so badly.

It must be a real problem with RIBs kept in the water all the time and then parked outside.

Keith (the hose) Hart

PS here is Charle getting to work...

PPS yes, that is the seat at the bottom of the garden...

Keith Hart · 14 January 2004, 10:54

The drill comes out...

Keith Hart · 14 January 2004, 10:57

The rear of the plate...

Keith Hart · 14 January 2004, 10:58

The screws come out and then the transom is cleaned up...

Keith Hart · 14 January 2004, 11:00

The wire brushed, acid dipped, re painted plate dries out...

Keith Hart · 14 January 2004, 11:02

Back where it should be, and looking good...

Keith Hart · 14 January 2004, 11:04

BTW, here is the slipway that is actually at the bottom of my garden.

Keith Hart · 14 January 2004, 11:08

Not a day I would have launched on the beach but here is a neighbour, Steve' happily surfing in his canoe...

Rogue Wave · 14 January 2004, 11:12

It looks like Charlie wsn't allowed to come out of the shed until he'd fininshed. When you say Acid cleaned what sort are you talking about.

I've got a SIB now also ( you've converted me)

You live in an enviable place Keith ( ya Bstd)

Louise · 14 January 2004, 11:30

Quote:

Originally posted by Rogue Wave
I've got a SIB now also

But does it go?

jwalker · 14 January 2004, 11:43

Look out, big head has arrived.

Sorry to tell you, but you may not have been successful. Leave the aluminium open. The more is it open to oxygen the thicker the protective layer, albeit slowly, will develop. Aluminium oxidises instantly in contact with oxygen(air). The paint will not adhere properly and Hammerite in particular will not stay there for long. If fact, it used to say on the Hammetite tin that it is not suitable for use on aluminium. You can paint aluminium with etching primer, which is designed to improve the adhesion, followed by top coat. Perhaps that is what Charlie has done, in which case, just ignore me.

Removing stubborn screws.... the aluminium is sacrificial to the stainless screws so corrosion around them will be at its greatest. Get a good fitting pozidrive screwdriver, hold the screwdriver in your left hand as though it's a dagger (presuming you are right handed), place it into the screw head and whilst undoing the screw hammer the end of the screwdriver to apply a shock load to the screw. Of course, if you've previously chewed up the head it'll be more difficult, in which case, hit the screwdriver into the head before attempting to undo the screw by the obove method.
It's just a crude version of an impact driver, but it works.

Rogue Wave · 14 January 2004, 12:31

Yes it's goes quite well at the moment, but give me time and I am sure 1'll get to the engine

Louise · 14 January 2004, 13:05

Bilge Rat · 15 January 2004, 07:15

Keith.... Dont worry mate every time i look at my boat something new has rotten or corroded away, seems to be a fact of life if it goes anywhere near the sea it corrodes, dont think your'll ever beat it, just look at the Mary Rose.

Rat