From:
Fred Hopengarten K1VR 781/259-0088
Six Willarch Road
Lincoln, MA 01773-5105
permanent e-mail address: fhopengarten@mba1972.hbs.edu
From: Scott Bullock <twoway@scoden.ma.ultranet.com>
To: <towertalk@contesting.com>
Date: Mon, 21 Apr 1997
Subject: [TowerTalk] Followup on painting used tower
For those that were interested in the thread on cleaning/painting
a used tower with surface rust on it: I decided to go the
inexpensive way-local paint store got me a gallon of Rustoleum
rust reformer-$47.00, not cheap but will do the job. It's the
same stuff as in the little bottles. Will probably have alot left
over, but will have a lifetime supply :-)
Going to follow this up with brushed on paint-should last a few
years as many had said. Anybody got any electron/invisible paint?
BTW, for any New England hams interested, there is a local shop
near Boston that can pickle and galvanize up to 70' lengths-might
be nice for those home brew projects. They are: Duncan
Galvanizing 617-389-8440 They were reasonable for the entire
tower at $500.00, but a little more than I wanted to spend.
Scott KA1CLX
=====
On Tue, 26 Aug 1997, Jeffrey Maass wrote:
> My Rohn 45 is showing some signs of surface rust.
> What is the recommended paint / treatment to extend it's useful
> life? Preparation? Are the spray-on "cold galvanizing" of any
> value?
> Jeff Maass (jmaass@freenet.columbus.oh.us) Amateur Radio K8ND
=====
From: w5hvv@aeneas.net (Rod Fitz-Randolph)
To: <towertalk@contesting.com>
Date: Tue, 26 Aug 1997
Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] Tower Painting?
You bet! I have used it on a number of items over the years.
Cold Galvanizing made (or sold) by LPS is the one I suggest. It
is 95% zinc and lasts and lasts and lasts.
Rod N5HV
=====
From: Frank Donovan <donovanf@sgate.com>
To: <towertalk@contesting.com>
Date: Tue, 26 Aug 1997
Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] Tower Painting?
The American Galvanizers Association has an excellent pamphlet
entitled "Painting Galvanized Steel Structures." You can get a
free copy from them by calling 303-750-2900. Basically they
recommend the typical approach to any painting job:
- Surface preparation
- Proper paint selection
To prepare the surface, remove all loose rust with a wire brush -
- there is no need to remove all rust, just remove loose rust.
If dirt or grease is present, clean the tower with a solvent or
detergent.
You could use spray cans of zinc rich paint such as Rust-Oleum
Model 2185 cold galvanizing compound or a can of Rust-Oleum
brush-on "Zinc-Sele" paint - a zinc rich paint that contains 86%
pure zinc in the dried paint film. A can of brush-on paint is
much more economical than spray cans if you have a large project!
Another zinc dust/zinc oxide paint conforming to Fed Spec TT-P-
641, is McMaster-Carr's p/n 7725T2 ($22.92 per quart) or 7725T1
(83.33 per gallon).
Frank W3LPL donovanf@sgate.com
===
From: Chuck Dietz <dietz@texas.net>
To: <towertalk@contesting.com>
Date: Tue, 26 Aug 1997
Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] Tower Painting?
I have used the cold galv sprays for spotty rust with excellent
success. A wire brush will prepare the surface for painting. --
Chuck, KE5FI
=====
From: K7LXC@aol.com
To: <towertalk@contesting.com>
Date: Wed, 27 Aug 1997
Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] Tower Painting?
IMO cold galv is one case where you get what you pay for.
The most important properties I have found for the paint are
adherence and coverage. You want the cold galv to adhere to your
tower surface. Cheaper rustoleum-type hardware store types
sometimes only spray on a thin coating and then run. The more
expensive types (Klein, LPS, etc.) spray on a thicker coat with a
minimum of running.
And like Frank said, surface preperation is the key to
success.
BTW TOWER TECH has the Klein for nine bucks a spray can.
=====
From: Scott Bullock <twoway@scoden.ma.ultranet.com>
To: <towertalk@contesting.com>
Date: Wed, 27 Aug 1997
Subject: [TowerTalk] Painting towers
If anyone is interested, email me your fax tel #, I have some
specs on a special cold galvanizing compound that I found here is
Boston. It's called ZRC, and it comes in sprays, 1/2 pints,
quarts, gallons, and 3.5 gallons. This stuff has great specs, I
plan on using it here.
Scott KA1CLX
P.S. I can't email it, as it was faxed to me, but I do have it
stored in the computer.
=====
From: "Charles H. Harpole" <harpole@pegasus.cc.ucf.edu>
To: <towertalk@contesting.com>
Date: Wed, 27 Aug 1997
Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] Tower Painting?
I have had vy gud luck with cold galvinizing spray paint. Some
here in Fla. sprayed onto a slightly rusty spot on otherwise
galvanized tower are still there ok after 7 years. Also, have
had gud luck with Hammermill "paint directly over rust" stuff.
The chemical statement is that it bonds with the rust and makes
the rust help out. But, it forms such a thick coating, I don't
know how it might impede a connection if needed to clamp onto
whatever it is covering. Had the Hammermill over heavy rust--no
scraping even--for two years, still looks like day I put it on!!
Metal was outside all that time. K4VUD
=====
From: Pete Soper <psoper@encore.com>
To: <towertalk@contesting.com>
Date: Fri, 29 Aug 1997
Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] Painting towers (ZRC sources)
Scott Bullock <twoway@scoden.ma.ultranet.com> said about finding
the ZRC cold galvanize people:
> 617-328-6700 HOW'S THAT??? :)
That's pretty good!
Judy at ZRC is on the other end of that line. She sez to use 800
831 3275 from outside Mass. Judy sent me straight to my local
distributor but since they only sell gallons she took an order
for two quarts on my VISA card and they'll be on the way after
the weekend. ($26.08 per quart, by the way). You know this but
the other readers should note that ZRC sells two types of cold
galvanize, a "shiny" version that looks like brand new hot dipped
galvanize and a "flat" version that will match the "Older than
the Hills" decor of my tower. Also, while on hold for a moment I
heard that UL labs approves ZRC finish for food prep areas. So if
I can get it done before too long I can celebrate my new tower by
frying an egg on it and eating it :-)
Pete KS4XG
=====
From: Scott Bullock <twoway@scoden.ma.ultranet.com>
To: <towertalk@contesting.com>
Date: Wed, 3 Sep 1997
Subject: [TowerTalk] Liquid Galvanizing update
I picked up the gallon of new ZRC galvy paint today (25lbs/gal),
and spent this late afternoon and evening outside coating the
legs of the 4N SSV section. I thought some of you may be
interested in hearing how it works out.
First of all, wear gloves! This stuff is nasty! Stinks to all
high heaven too. It took about 1/2 hour of mixing to dissolve
the zinc solids in the paint, and even then, you can never get it
completely stirred. Once it is stirred, it goes on very nicely
with a regular paintbrush. They recommend a 1.5 mil thick finish,
but the brush definitely puts on more than this. It dries to the
touch in about 20 minutes, and they say it's ready to recoat if
necessary after 24 hours. Based on what I have seen for coverage
so far, it only needs one coat. After doing all 3 legs of the
first knockdown section, I hadn't even made a dent in how much is
in the can. A little goes a long way!
It also cleans up with standard thinner (got some on my arms),
though they say use xylene.
Scott KA1CLX
BTW, I got it at Corrosion Control Specialists, Inc.,in Boston,
they have a large warehouse full of any kind of weatherproofing
material for metal! Talk to Chris @ 617-737-1677, he's a really
nice guy to deal with, and even gave me a pint of organic based
urethane paint to try too, which he said they used before to
paint some towers for the Navy up in Maine.
=====
From: Pete Soper <psoper@encore.com>
To: <towertalk@contesting.com>
Date: Thu, 04 Sep 1997
Subject: [TowerTalk] cold galvanize spray vs cans
You wrote:
> That settles it! I'm going to stick to Cold Galvanizing by
LPS. It is only $6 + change for a 16 oz. spray can that covers
quite a bit of area, and it is 95% zinc!
The ZRC in cans is around $26-30 a quart, give or take for
shipping (so find a local source). If my math based on Scott's
mail is right, that makes the cost comparable to the spray cans
at $6 on the basis of weight, not counting a small fudge factor
for the propellant in the spray version. However, it takes me 2
1/2 spray cans to properly cover a section of 25G because I'm
also painting a lot of newspaper behind the tower. I'm convinced
it will be worse for both me and the surroundings when trying to
spray paint sections that are erected. With the cans of paint and
a mit (& plastic gloves) and brush I'm hoping to get 2-3 times
the coverage of spray for this case.
It's the surface prep for erected sections that's the killer. I'd
pay for spray cans of abrasive pad :-)
Pete KS4XG
=====
From: "MarchandJohn" <jmarchand@ecrm.com>
To: <towertalk@contesting.com>
Date: 4 Sep 1997
Subject: [TowerTalk] Source of Galv. products?
Was reading the threads re: cold galvanize paints etc, from K8DX
AND KA1CLX.
At the same time I was flipping thru a West/E & B Marine catalog.
Decided to peruse the paint section and found a couple of
products which may have some potential for TowerTalk viewers.
The first is:
CRC Marine Instant Galvanize
"Renews and repairs galvanized surfaces. Offers the
protection of expensive hot dip galvanizing. Ready to use right
out of the can."
16 oz. spray can CRC #06054 West #279646 $7.75
The second is:
Petit Marine Paints Trailercoat
"Seals and prevents rust on galvanized and stainless steel.
Bright silver-colored urethane coating forms a moisture-proof
barrier against rust, and seals existing corrosion to prevent its
spread. It adheres tenaciously to both galvanized steel and
roughened stainless steel. It can be applied by roller, brush or
spray and can be left as is or overcoated with other paints."
Coverage: 100-150 sq ft/qt. Dry time 1-2 hrs. Thinner: none
required.
West #379594 $16.95/qt.
This is just for information, I have no ties with West/E&B. I
just happen to have their catalog for my boating stuff.
John K1RC (ex-K1CGJ)
===
From: "MarchandJohn" <jmarchand@ecrm.com>
To: <towertalk@contesting.com>
Date: 4 Sep 1997
Subject: [TowerTalk] Source of Galv. paint
Boy, did I mess up my last message --but good--.
I had a lot of good info, but blew the contact numbers. Thanks
to Dick K9APW for bringing that to my attention.
Here goes the rest of the story.
West/E&B Marine has about 100 stores around the country.
The toll free order number is: 1-800-538-0775 (24 hrs/7days)
The fax order number is: 408-728-4360 (24 hrs/7days)
Technical Support number: 1-800-538-0775 (M-F 5am to 5pm
pacific)
Customer Service line: for returns, delivery or repair info:
call either of the above numbers M-F 5am to 5pm pacific, Sat 6am
to 3pm pacific
Sorry for the mess-up
John K1RC
=====
From: Pete Soper <psoper@encore.com>
To: <towertalk@contesting.com>
Date: Thu, 04 Sep 1997
Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] Source of Galv. products?
You wrote:
> Following on with what John said... A few months ago I went
to purchase cold galv from Home Depot. The ONLY brand they have
is Rustoleum. Anyone have any opinions on that brand?
I've used 6-8 of the 16oz cans of Rust-oleum brand of spray
cold galvanize. It appears to me to be excellent. The spray
action is very uniform and of high quality. Of the three brands
I've used it's my favorite.
The CRC spray is the same to a touch, worse with respect to spray
quality, but more expensive here (RDU area of NC) while the
Illinois Bronze brand of cold galvanize gets my "unacceptable"
label because of the quality of the spray fitting on the can.
Once out of the can, except for the blobs and streaks caused by
the crummy version, it all looks the same. We should check back
on this thread in a year or two :-)
By the way, quarts of cold galvanize weigh about 6.5 pounds,
so a spray can with 16oz of net contents corresponds to five
fluid ounces of the non-spray type.
Pete KS4XG
=====
From: "Randy Lake" <rlake@monad.net>
To: <towertalk@contesting.com>
Date: Fri, 5 Sep 1997
Subject: [TowerTalk] RE:Galv. paint
A gud source for galvanizing paint is NAPA Auto Parts..
The product is called "ZINC-RICH" part# 765-1610
price abt $5.49 / can. This works very well!
-- Randy N1KWF
=====
From: K4OJ@aol.com
To: <towertalk@contesting.com>
Date: Sat, 6 Sep 1997
Subject: [TowerTalk] Re: Home Depot Cold Galvanizing
The cold process galvanizing from Home Depot in the Dark Blue
Labeled spray can, by CRC, is nice, but it ain't the really good
stuff.
Years ago I had access to a product called Galvicon. This was
the real thing. Unfortunately they were bought out by Sherwin
Williams (or one of the big paint outfits) and they have since
dropped this item.
Galvicon is my standard of comparison. I used to buy it from a
welding supply place. After the welders working on a high rise
job would do their thing, they would paint this on top of the
weld. It was really good.
We used the Galvicon in Homestead for the towers that Andrew took
down. Wherever we used Galvicon there was no sign of rusting.
Here in Florida this is a miracle.
Should you happen to be in the trade and have a supplier who
still has some galvicon on the shelf, I would be willing to have
it shipped to me....it was THAT GOOD.
So, Home Depot product was okay - but really a glorified paint
(dunno what I expected from something that would come out of that
tiny a nozzle....the good stuff is so thick in zinc it takes
serious thing to get it to spray.
k4oj
=====
On Sat, 13 Sep 1997 Terry Sharar <terrys@romulus.ncsc.mil>
writes:
> Just purchased some cold galvanizing compound from ZRC.
Their data sheet recommends clean up with their own stuff called
"XXX" (wow!) or "Xylol" or "Xylene". Anyone have any experience
with any or all of these clean up solutions? How much do the
cost, where can they be bought,are they hazardous, etc.?
>
>Terry WB3DSB
From: Scott Bullock <twoway@scoden.ma.ultranet.com>
To: <towertalk@contesting.com>
Date: Sat, 13 Sep 1997
Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] ZRC Clean Up?
Don't bother with the special stuff, just use regular paint
thinner, I got mine all done with the ZRC and it cleans up nicely
with the thinner. The ZRC does a real nice job and hardens to an
unbelievably hard finish too.
Scott KA1CLX
From: mainhart@juno.com (Rick Mainhart)
To: <towertalk@contesting.com>
Date: Sun, 14 Sep 1997
Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] ZRC Clean Up?
Contact ZRC and have them send you the MSDS (Material Safety Data
Sheet) for both the cold galvanizing, and for their "XXX"
cleaning compound.
If they decline to provide this, contact OSHA, and ask THEM to
forward you a copy ... also advise the distributer you will be
contacting OSHA.
The MSDS will contain such information as flash and boiling
point, health issues, exposure limits, first aid for accidental
contact/consumption/ingestion and will give you the proper use
(and contitions) for the product, including appropriate disposal
instructions.
=====
From: k9ofg@juno.com
To: <towertalk@contesting.com>
Date: Thu, 19 Feb 1998
Subject: [TowerTalk] Tower paint
Sherwin Williams has Tower-Guard specifically formulated for
power company transmission towers. It is heavy with zinc
chromate and goes on with one coat. It is available from any S
W dealer or store, but they will have to order it--nobody stocks
it. It is available only in 5 gallon cans, and, as of last
October, was list priced at $55 per gallon. I painted 50 feet of
Rohn 25G with one gallon and had enough left to paint another two
sections, I estimate. It is an alkyd enamel, and the tote weight
of the wet paint is 16 pounds per gallon. The guys at the paint
store said it was the heaviest paint they had ever handled. I
assume the zinc chromatic is responsible for that. I have their
catalog page, but there is no mention of cat number.
Richard Owens, K9OFG k9ofg@juno.com
=====
From: Scott Bullock <twoway@scoden.ma.ultranet.com>
To: <towertalk@contesting.com>
Date: Fri, 20 Feb 1998
Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] Tower paint
Call Corrosion Control Specialties in Boston, ask for Chris, I
don't have their number handy, but should be in 411 information.
They sell ZRC-Galvilite paint which is a brush-on 94% zinc paint
and it goes on slicker than !@#$.
I bought a gallon to redo my Rohn SSV tower last summer, was
$97.00 per gallon, I only used 1/2 a gallon. Lots left over for
future projects. It's real nasty stuff, and must be used out-
doors, but it makes an incredibly hard/durable surface! Don't
waste your time with the spray on junk, as it won't be thick
enuf, and you'll end up doing everything all over again.
CCS will ship this stuff too, shouldn't cost too much. If you
want to see the finished product go to:
<http://www.qsl.net/ka1clx.htm> for all the pics. Have fun, and
take your time doing it for a real nice job-it's well worth it! -
- Scott KA1CLX
=====
From: Jonathan Starr <kalepa@maui.net>
To: <towertalk@contesting.com>
Date: Fri, 20 Feb 1998
Subject: [TowerTalk] Re: Galv. Paint for Towers
The American Association of Hot Dip Galvanizers recommends zinc
dust in an epoxy base primer, which doesn't need a topcoat if you
like matte dark grey.
We use a 2 part product (the dust is separate from the epoxy)
from Enron that works great. Contrary to the spec sheet, you can
mix it in small batches if you fractionalize the two parts.
It is set off by humidity, so the drying time varies depending on
climate. When it starts to thicken, we add a bit of MEK thinner
to extend the pot life a bit.
Jonathan KH6X kalepa@maui.net
=====
From: Malcolm Clark <rudder1@ibm.net>
To: <towertalk@contesting.com>
Date: Sun, 22 Mar 1998
Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] Painting a new mast?
Turner, Bob wrote:
>
> I have purchased 24' of chrome moly 4130 mast that I probably
will be cutting at the 19' mark. The mast needs to be protected
from the elements. I'm planning on using RUST-OLEUM at the
moment. First a coat of RUST-OLEUM primer, then the paint. Any
suggestions for primer or paint? What color should I paint the
mast to make it disappear from view? How do I paint inside?
Should I cap the top end of mast?
I personally haven't had much luck with any of the hardware store
variety of paints as far as rustproofing goes. What works better
is cold galvanizing spray (zinc spray). You should be able to
find it at good industrial supply or marine supply--sometimes a
good hardware store will carry it. I have used the CRC brand
with excellent results on steel around saltwater.
A two part industrial epoxy coating (not paint) will give even
better results. One such product is Ameron Protective Coatings
Corp.'s Amerlock-400. It is available in a number of colors and
can be rolled or brushed on. This stuff (and other similar
brands) needs to be handled with care though. You definitely
don't want to breathe the fumes. Hardware stores don't carry it-
-you have to get it from an industrial supply.
Malcolm KR4HP
=====
From: SavageBR <SavageBR@aol.com>
To: <towertalk@contesting.com>
Date: Fri, 15 May 1998
Subject: [TowerTalk] Tower Paint.
I am getting ready to paint a Rohn galvanized tower to renew the
finish. I have read most of the old thread on "Tower Paint". I
have found a product at Sherwin Williams called Zinc Clad #5. It
is approx 90% zinc, and $61 per Gal. It is the only Sherwin
Williams product that is available in gal's. Has anyone used
this product or know anything about it?
Bruce AA4Z
=====
From: K7LXC <K7LXC@aol.com>
To: <towertalk@contesting.com>
Date: Sat, 16 May 1998
Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] tower paint
In a message dated 98-05-16 08:29:38 EDT, Ed Stratton W1ZZ,
stratto@tiac.net writes:
<< I seem to remember a thread or two about touching up rusted or
tarnished Galvanized tower with some type of paint? Any
suggestions? >>
For minor surface rust, after prepping the surface spray
on cold galvanizing paint. These contain lots of zinc. This is a
case of 'you get what you pay for'. The cheap hardware store
varieties run and don't adhere very well. LPS makes a good one as
does Klein.
For bigger problems, you can use Rust Converter. You apply
it and it reacts with the rust. It neutalizes it and then forms a
hard coating over it.
If you're interested, you can check the yellow pages and
call a local industrial coatings supplier. There are lots of
products out there depending on what you want to do and how much
you want to spend.
Steve K7LXC
=====
From: seweber@netnitco.net
To: <towertalk@contesting.com>
Date: Sat, 16 May 1998
Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] tower paint
I bought 7 sections of used Rohn 25 about 15 years ago and used
steel wool to remove rust and brush-on zinc coating to touch up
the nasty spots. I wrapped the end of a 10 stick of 1/2"
thinwall conduit with coarse steel wool and used it to clean the
INSIDE of each leg, then used a rag on the
conduit to make a giant Q-TIP for painting the inside of each
leg. Three coats inside and out, with at least 24 hour drying
time between coats. I pulled the tower down after 10+ years and
it came right apart and looked as good inside and out as the day
I put it up.
Steve Weber, KD9BO seweber@netnitco.net
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