GEAR ON TEST - FLAG RUST CONVERTER
 

Most boats have at least a small area of metalwork that’s started to rust and needs to be stopped before it becomes a real problem, whether it’s on a section of anchor chain or a centreplate. In my case it’s the short section of chain that lies across the deck between the anchor and the chain pipe. Nothing too serious, of course, but annoying and unsightly. How to treat it? I hope the answer is Flag Rust Converter.

This is a water-based coating that ‘grabs’ onto the rust, neutralises it and forms a smart said-to-be-tough finish. It can be used as either a primer or a complete finish.

The bit I liked the sound of was ’water-based’, which means you can wash your brush out in plain water after use; no need for white spirit or any other sort of solvent.

Application is by brush, the coverage is about 2-3m³ per 250ml tin – and the finish is satin. Drying time at normal fitting out temperatures is around about an hour, but the Rust Converter should only be overcoated after about 4-6 hours. The current version of the converter is quite thin and two to three coats are advised if it is not to be overcoated with another finishing product, but the composition of the Converter is likely to be modified to reduce the coating requirements to one or two coats.

I found that the Rust Converter went on very quickly and easily once any loose dirt and rust had been wire brushed away. Painting anchor chain is fiddly, to say the least, but once done it looked a lot better in dull black than it did in spotty rust. Cleaning the brush after use was just a matter of rinsing it thoroughly under a tap. Now I have to sit back and see how it wears during the season.  (FLAG Paints Ltd) 01621 785173

Contact Bainbridge International

Tel 01489 77600

Email info@bainbridgeint.co.uk

Web www.bainbridgemarine.co.uk   www.flagfinishes.co.uk

June 2007 Sailing Today