[BlueDragon]

I was an Alaskan crab fisherman back before it was cool.

Out of almost thirty years of fishing, back in '87 I did one season on the Isafjord.

Remember that boat?

Speaking of needing repainting, the so-called "tool room" of the Isafjord, at the back of the house on the starboard side corner, not far the hauler, was nothing but rust back when when I was there.

I doubt Sherwin Williams makes a paint which could cover that. But Devoe used to. Bar Rust 231. It was designed as tank coating primer.

Still, for rust, the only thing to do is remove it all, right down to shiny metal. Nothing else really works, but a lot of things (treatments & paints) can slow the rust process. Some better than others, along with how well things are prepped.

I thank the same god who invented duct tape for having invented sand-blasters.

Speaking of tape...as general marine advice (worth possibly more than it's being paid for) for anyone contemplating such things as 'boat' (otherwise known as "break out another $thousand$) and rust (it never sleeps, as Neil) try to avoid using tape (or even twine) for securing antenna cables and other wiring to masts and booms.

Water will get underneath, not dry out -- and then cause rust -- right at those places tape or twine is used.

And no...please nobody ask me how I know this. Names were changed to protect the (not) innocent.

[Kenny Bunk]

......for rust, the only thing to do is remove it all, right down to shiny metal.....

Outa Date, Dragon. Various compounds containing Pyrogallic Acid convert rust .....Ferrous Oxide .... into Stannous Oxide .... in effect, tin-plating the rusted metal into a stable base for priming with coal tar epoxy or somesuch and painting.

Not a totally permanent cure, but plenty good enough for between paint jobs. If it's scabby, flaky rust, some mild sandblasting or soda blasting is OK, and the treatment actually works better if the metal is wet with fresh water. The blaster is a great way to find out if there is enough structurally useful metal left to paint!

Pyrogallic Acid, or other members of the chemical family can be obtained from oak barks and other natural sources, or brewed up synthetically.

Now for the duct tape. Us modern young fellows prefer speedy ties in their infinite variety. Duct tape should be on every commercial fishing vessel, though. It is the only known cure for the inevitable psychotic episodes among the crew.