T&T: Anchor chain painting

[Gene & Judy Koetitz]

I have been reading this thread with interest as I will soon be publishing an
article on anchor chain "de-rusting" and painting in  the Ship Shape section
of Power Cruising Magazine.
 Our anchor chain was rusting and also needed new length markings.
 We first used a product called Ospho--found at Ace Hardware. We  pulled out
all the chain and soaked it in a plastic bucket with the Ospho. It immediately
takes all the rust off and prepares it for painting, no rinsing necessary.
 We then used Rustoleum Cold Galvanizing Spray paint on the entire chain to
inhibit the reformation of rust.
Next we marked our 200 feet of chain off in 25 foot lengths with our white(25)
blue(50) and red(100) combinations.
Before returning the freshly painted chain to the locker we used a pressure
washer to clean out what we could, and a wet-dry vacuum to suck up all the
cable ties and tape pieces that were lying in the bottom of the locker.  And
yes I heartily agree that paint seems to be the best alternative, as anything
else has the possibility of clogging up the weep hole. We are still "testing"
the marking paint. 







Judy and Gene Koetitz
aboard Lo Que Se A          
Great Harbour 37
on the Chesapeake
judygenek at yahoo.com