- 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.