[TowerTalk] Rust Inhibiting Paint for Steel Towers - Suggestions Needed

[Fred Kleber]

John,

One of the most amazing materials I've ever seen for this purpose has served
well in Hawaii.  The 5 or 6 towers from the original KH6XX (then N6VI, now
KH6HH/KH7R) super station use this stuff.  The station's a bit further away
from the shore (and probably higher) than your QTH, but still experiences
salt corrosion from the trades.

I don't know the name of this stuff, but if I describe it perhaps someone
will.  It looks like peanut butter and is "caked" on the legs.  I'm not sure
if it was applied before or after the towers went up, but they've been up
20+ years!  It had started to crack last time I climbed one of the towers
several years ago, but that's probably a given after 15+ years.  Only down
side is that you better be wearing some thick gloves when you climb - but
you should be doing this anyway.

Ken, KH7R's e-mail address is KH7R@contesting.com.

Good luck!
Fred, K9VV

John Crovelli wrote:

> I hope someone on this reflector will be able to help me.
>
> Problem:  How to inhibit corrosion of Rohn 25G steel tower in salt water
> envirnoments.
>
> Problem Detail:  My Rohn 25G tower at P40W has rusted to the point that
> it must be replaced for safety reasons.  The location, in the middle of
> the island, is subject to substancial exposure to airborne salt vapor.
> During certain times of year, the buildup of salt residue is very
> substancial, especially when there is no rain to wash it away for weeks
> or months at a time. It is not uncommmon at sunset to actually feel the
> salt brine on tower surfaces.
>
> Also of some concern is the effects inposed by constant 20 mph trade
> winds, which over time, seem to act as a sand blaster, causing
> accellerated deterioration of surfaces on the east side of the tower.
>
> Proposed Solution:  Find a paint product that can be applied (by brush)
> to my used but rust free Rohn 25G sections that has a high adherence
> characteristic, provides significant resistence to abrasion from wind
> driven sand, and protects the steel tower from corrosion caused by salt
> residue buildup.
>
> I hope someone has a "silver bullet" solution, a suggested paint product
> will meet or exceed my needs, and can tell me where it can be purchased
> in the USA.
>
> Looking forward to a discussion of this topic.  BTW, the current tower
> survived about 5 years after being painted prior to erection.
> Unfortunately the paint product used, supposedly a battle ship paint,
> was ineffective.
>
> 73,
>
> John  W2GD/P40W
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>
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