Rotten bilges!

[jake_crew]

I would have got a shot blaster in .....

Effective yes, but it makes such a mess, esp INSIDE.

[Tom Richmond]

Thank you for posting. Good job! You make it seem so easy; maybe my bilges will look like that - eventually .

 

Be careful when using the angle-grinder with a wire brush as they tend to shed bristles at high speed. They sting a bit when they hit bare flesh but could do serious damage to eyes.

 

I agree, it is a nasty job, especially in a confined space. I don't think breathing in fine iron-oxide dust is good for you but wearing even a simple filter mask is uncomfortable.

 

Unless I was certain that I had removed all rust (i.e. shiny steel) I would apply a proprietry rust converter/inhibitor (Fertan, Owatrol etc.) before priming. Rust continues to chemically react (slowly) even in the absence of air and moisture. Keeping the bilges dry is the best policy.

 

Alan

 

It is a job I have done before, and having escorted someone to a Greek hospital with a piece of wire brush in the side of his eye, I took no chances! Goggles, ear defenders, dust mask, gloves and all skin covered!

 

I used Owatrol in with the paint. I had intended to do a whole layer of Owatrol, followed by paint, but it said on the can that if the steel was only mildly rusty, then mixing two parts paint to one part Owatrol would be sufficient.

 

 

Wow Tom

 

You are a patient chap, well done, that would have driven me mad. Just out of interest, how long did that take. I would have got a shot blaster in as I'm just too old and lazy

 

A time factor would be interesting though to way up the cost for others attempting such daunting work.

 

 

Removal of old (mulch) fit out and cleaning of floor and walls: 4 days

Experimentation with water tank to calculate new ballast amounts, + removal of water tank: 1 day

Cutting back of wall lining to good wood, and removal of engine room bulkhead: 1 day

Grinding steel (5 x 2' full width sections, plus 2' up the walls): 1 1/2 days

Cleaning and painting: 2 x 1/2 days (I painted up to where the ballast was stacked, then let that dry overnight. The following day I moved the ballast onto the painted area and painted the rest.

Cleaning the dehumidifier before returning it to its owners: 1/2 day

 

Total: 9 days

(Based on an 8 - 10 hour working day)

 

NB: I have returned home this week because I have to work. I am completely exhausted and have been walking around like a zombie. I would suggest that 8-10 hours of this kind of work a day for nine days straight is possibly a little too much, and that anyone using this as a reference potentially doubles the amount of time needed.

Very impressed with your positive approach Tom, its quite unique, oncommon and a very nice change. All the very best to you and your ongoing referb. by the looks of what you've done so far, you will have something to be proud of when finished.

 

B~

 

What's there not to be positive about? I have a boat, I am super dooper happy!

[Ex- Member]

Effective yes, but it makes such a mess, esp INSIDE.

 

Did you see the mess he started with

 

I would guess grinding would make as much mess but over a much longer period of time, then you risk breathing in all the crap you're grinding and getting filthy into the bargain. The area Tom has covered would take around 20 minutes at a guess with a shot blaster, of course that doesn't allow setting up time and getting to the job. But if you have a lot to do I would certainly pay for shot blasting.

[Polishicebreaker]

Shot blasting inside a partly fitted boat? That's almost as ridiculous as jet washing the inside of a partly fitted boat. ( shame it was me that did this though:) but I was a boat newbie at the time and It was on a well meaning neighbour's advice!

[Tom Richmond]

 

Did you see the mess he started with

 

I would guess grinding would make as much mess but over a much longer period of time, then you risk breathing in all the crap you're grinding and getting filthy into the bargain. The area Tom has covered would take around 20 minutes at a guess with a shot blaster, of course that doesn't allow setting up time and getting to the job. But if you have a lot to do I would certainly pay for shot blasting.

 

Yes, grinding was filthy dirty horrible... If cost had not also been a factor I would certainly have considered shot blasting. I guess more covering of things (the engine for example) would have been in order, but no reason that couldn't be done.

 

Out of interest, does anyone know what a mobile shot blasting operator would charge for this, I guess it'd be a half day for them?

Shot blasting inside a partly fitted boat? That's almost as ridiculous as jet washing the inside of a partly fitted boat. ( shame it was me that did this though:) but I was a boat newbie at the time and It was on a well meaning neighbour's advice!

 

Hehehe. Sorry to laugh at your misfortune. You obviously have a good story from it though!

[Ex- Member]

 

It is a job I have done before, and having escorted someone to a Greek hospital with a piece of wire brush in the side of his eye, I took no chances! Goggles, ear defenders, dust mask, gloves and all skin covered!

 

I used Owatrol in with the paint. I had intended to do a whole layer of Owatrol, followed by paint, but it said on the can that if the steel was only mildly rusty, then mixing two parts paint to one part Owatrol would be sufficient.

 

 

 

 

Removal of old (mulch) fit out and cleaning of floor and walls: 4 days

Experimentation with water tank to calculate new ballast amounts, + removal of water tank: 1 day

Cutting back of wall lining to good wood, and removal of engine room bulkhead: 1 day

Grinding steel (5 x 2' full width sections, plus 2' up the walls): 1 1/2 days

Cleaning and painting: 2 x 1/2 days (I painted up to where the ballast was stacked, then let that dry overnight. The following day I moved the ballast onto the painted area and painted the rest.

Cleaning the dehumidifier before returning it to its owners: 1/2 day

 

Total: 9 days

(Based on an 8 - 10 hour working day)

 

NB: I have returned home this week because I have to work. I am completely exhausted and have been walking around like a zombie. I would suggest that 8-10 hours of this kind of work a day for nine days straight is possibly a little too much, and that anyone using this as a reference potentially doubles the amount of time needed.

 

What's there not to be positive about? I have a boat, I am super dooper happy!

 

 

No wonder you're knackered, to do all that in that time is almost heroic, I used to work like that when I was younger, that's probably why I'm knackered now

 

Still you seem to have got that steel really well prepared. the cost of shot blasting varies greatly. We found a really reasonable company in Swindon 12 miles away, who charged £60.00 per hour + v.a.t. So to get here and do the job would probably have been 2 hours charged £144.00 You possibly would have earn't that in 2 days in your regular job.

 

Never the less Tom a superb job, but others contemplating such a task, I would recommend getting quotes from local shot blasters.

 

I should add some companies like you suggest might charge a minimum half day, however if you've an open time frame, it's the sort of job they could do when passing on the way back from another short day job.

 

It's about shopping around, we had quotes as high as £2000 and ended up with the hull blasted for £400, not bad for a 60 x 10/6 widebeam.

Edited February 26, 2014 by Julynian

[Captain Fizz]

Shot blasting inside is a little more problematic.

Every sack of sand that is used, has to be cleared out again and disposed of.

Depending on where you are operating, it may also be classed as hazardous waste with all the problems/cost that that will entail.

Tom was operating in a pretty tight space and constantly having to move stuff around due to lack of off boat storage.

A needle scaler is another option but would still require an adequate air supply.

[Ex- Member]

Shot blasting inside is a little more problematic.

Every sack of sand that is used, has to be cleared out again and disposed of.

Depending on where you are operating, it may also be classed as hazardous waste with all the problems/cost that that will entail.

Tom was operating in a pretty tight space and constantly having to move stuff around due to lack of off boat storage.

A needle scaler is another option but would still require an adequate air supply.

 

Our entire hull used just 4.5 bags of shot, the bags were small too about the size of cement bags. The medium used is not gravel or sand, it's Silicon Carbide, half a bag would easily sufficed for that area.

 

Shot blasting is messy so is grinding. What you have to remember is shot blasters rarely use sand or gravel any more, there are several mediums used now, even walnut shell, glass beads is another. These are a lot less messy than grit. Most of the mess will be the rust and crud removed and that will be apparent weather you blast it or grind it off. Basically if you can get a blasting lance to it, then blast it IMO.

[Richard T]

Tom,

How did you get the water tank out? Did it have pinhole somewhere near the bottom?

Having seen the set up in person I think the water may have been from a small leak around the water pump which had some dodgy looking plumbing leading to it.

You are doing a great job so keep going. You are now getting to the interesting part which is building the bed and storage. Removing the tank will also give you a through route to the stern as the bed will turn through 180 degrees.

 

The phone still works after a fashion - it sometimes has a mind of its own?

Are you around this weekend? If so I might stop by to see the outside of your boat in better lighting conditions!!!

[Tom Richmond]

Tom,

How did you get the water tank out? Did it have pinhole somewhere near the bottom?

Having seen the set up in person I think the water may have been from a small leak around the water pump which had some dodgy looking plumbing leading to it.

You are doing a great job so keep going. You are now getting to the interesting part which is building the bed and storage. Removing the tank will also give you a through route to the stern as the bed will turn through 180 degrees.

 

The phone still works after a fashion - it sometimes has a mind of its own?

Are you around this weekend? If so I might stop by to see the outside of your boat in better lighting conditions!!!

Hi Richard,

 

Tank came out after a very tight manouver to turn it through 90 degrees, (with lots of archimedian principles employed). It did not have a hole, but the pump was leaking like crazy! Definitely the source of the water.

 

Glad to hear the phone is somewhat functional! Not back on the boat til Monday I'm afraid. Would be very happy to show you outside as well as what I've been up to inside. Will be there all next week, including weekend.

 

Best - Tom