[TowerTalk] galvenizing vs painting a tower platform

[Pat Barthelow]

Hello Tom and group,

I have a tower trailer; Photos follow:

http://groups.msn.com/towertrailers/shoebox.msnw?action=ShowPhoto&PhotoID=1
http://groups.msn.com/towertrailers/shoebox.msnw?action=ShowPhoto&PhotoID=2
http://groups.msn.com/towertrailers/shoebox.msnw?action=ShowPhoto&PhotoID=8
http://groups.msn.com/towertrailers/shoebox.msnw?action=ShowPhoto&PhotoID=9
http://groups.msn.com/towertrailers/shoebox.msnw?action=ShowPhoto&PhotoID=10
http://groups.msn.com/towertrailers/shoebox.msnw?action=ShowPhoto&PhotoID=33
http://groups.msn.com/towertrailers/shoebox.msnw?action=ShowPhoto&PhotoID=35

The tower proper is old, but in near perfect shape, once cables, rollers, 
and associated
hardware are replaced.
Please take a look at the rust on the trailer...I think I want to sandblast, 
and repaint, recoat.

A local, state run, recycle facility often has 2 part epoxy paints available 
for free to the public.
Should I sandblast and apply a 2 part polyurathane paint?  Does it need a 
primer paint first?  What is the best solution?
Also is it practical to sandblast,  without damaging/contaminating the 
mechanical machinery related to tower movement?  I.E. motors,  worm 
gear/roller winches,...can they be masked off from picking up grit used in 
sandblasting?  Or do I have to remove the tower from the trailer before 
sandblasting?
tnx,
73, DX, de Pat Barthelow AA6EG aa6eg at hotmail.com

>From: "Tom Sessions" <RADIO_K4RV at peoplepc.com>
>To: <towertalk at contesting.com>
>Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] galvenizing vs painting a tower platform
>Date: Fri, 7 Oct 2005 20:56:05 -0400
>I have to whole heartedly agree with Daron N7HQR.

Two part epoxy oil based exterior (Marine, Polyurethane, etc.) paints are at
the top of list for long term protection and sealing from rusting.  That's
what the navy uses.  A similar paint is on your car.

Those paints are much longer lasting than cold galvanizing compound and much
much much longer lasting than the basic Rustoleum paint, which is really
just a coating, not a sealer, like any other typical paint (Krylon, etc.).
The Rustoleum company has gotten a lot of mileage out of that name.

Occaisionally a miracle "one coat lasts forever - right over rust - paint
product appears on these pages".  If it works for you, then go for it.  But
after livng on the Gulf Coast I have seen nothing better than two part epoxy
exterior paints.  They are expensive and labor intensive, requiring removing
any rust first.

No paint lasts forever.
Tom K4RV

   ----- Original Message -----
From: "Daron J. Wilson" <daron at wilson.org>
To: <towertalk at contesting.com>
Sent: Friday, October 07, 2005 8:13 PM
Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] galvenizing vs painting a tower platform
> >
>>Is the cold galvanizing compound adequate?  How many coats should be
>>applied?
>>Is it better than just painting it with regular paint?
>
>We use this on galvanized conduit where we had to cut threads, and on lots
>of other outdoor stuff on the coast.  It is better than nothing, but seems
>to last less than a year before rust sets in.
>
>You might consider a marine epoxy paint.  We've used this stuff on
>untreated
>pipe and steel components with very good results.  It's expensive, but
>seems
>to better than rattle can paints.
>
>Good Luck!
>
>N7HQR