[TowerTalk] Regalvanizing tower sections

[K7LXC at aol.com]

In a message dated 3/19/04 11:00:02 AM Pacific Standard Time, ncoxsr at wt.net 
writes:

> I have a Rohn HDBX tower that contains sections where the galvanizing has 
> failed and the metal is rusting. I've considered rust stabilizer coating, "
> cold galvanizing", and having the sections regalvanized.
>  The sections can be regalvanized at a moderate cost in the North Texas 
area 
> for $0.48/lb. However
>  a representative for the firm providing me the quote warned that warpage 
of 
> the sections would probably
>  take place because of the high heat involved in the process. I have 
learned 
> that "cold galvanizing" isn't
>  galvanizing, just coating with a zinc rich paint. The rust stabilizer 
sounds 
> good but I wonder how it well
>  it would work on a tower constantly exposed to the weather. Also, the 
> regalvanizing processs includes
>  removing the old galvanizing and then hot dip galvanizing. The cost is 
$0.16/
> lb to strip and $0.32/lb to
>  galvanize. My Rohn HDBX32 has been up for 21 years. Any suggestions?
>  
    Rohn BX uses zinc plated steel so it's never been hotdipped. I think 
another problem is that the rivets will get melted out during the hotdip process. 
Anyway, don't get it hotdipped galvanized. 

    Get a wire brush and wire wheel for your drill and use LOTS of elbow 
grease to manually get the rust off. Then spray with a *good* cold galv spray. 
(You'll know it's a good cold galv because it'll cost more than the typical 
hardware store stuff.  <A HREF="http://www.championradio.com">www.championradio.com
</A> has some professional grade stuff.) It'll be good for years afterwards. 

    BTW my first tower was a used BX. By the time I spent HOURS getting the 
rust off and the $$ to buy enough cold galv spray, I'd have been MUCH better 
off buying a new one. I'll never try to refurb another one, that's for sure! 
(It's only slightly less ghastly a job than refurbing a KT34A or XA. Ugghhh!)

Cheers,
Steve     K7LXC
TOWER TECH --