How to clean barnacle glue off anchor?

[SV__Grace]

As the weather warms here in the PNW the shellfish go crazy and the past two times I raised anchor the shank, shackles, and first couple of feet of the chain were covered in baby barnacles (apparently the parts touching the surface of the mud).

I pressure washed the barnacles off but can't seem to get the "glue" off that the barnacles leave behind, even using Barnacle Buster (photo attached).

I don't want to harm the galvanizing. Any ideas?

[Shrew]

2" putty knife.

[Cheechako]

My most used marine tool! Stiff but thin SS, nylon/plastic handle, rounded corners:

[SV__Grace]

Originally Posted by Cheechako

My most used marine tool! Stiff but thin SS, nylon/plastic handle, rounded corners:

The barnacle "glue" residue is so thin and strong a putty knife or scraper would scrape/damage the galvanizing as well, correct?

[Cheechako]

Originally Posted by SV__Grace

The barnacle "glue" residue is so thin and strong a putty knife or scraper would scrape/damage the galvanizing as well, correct?

Thus the rounded corners and not a knife edge. But generally, with good technique galvanizing will smear (it's got soft metal in it right?) rather than peel off. With a chisel or grinder you can remove some. That's why I love that little spatula I found 25 years ago in a kitchen specialty store. The edge is super precise, square not rounded, but you could never cut yourself with it. Some others have a rounded edge, or others are almost like a knife. etc.

But that barnacle debris IS tenacious. Bottom paint will often chip off before you can remove all the white "glue" they leave.
But use a tool like that spatula to remove the little buggers, just leaving the thin white glue residue, you'll never get it off and it doesn't hurt the galvanizing....

[zstine]

Are you talking about that white calcium like deposit? Have you tried soaking a paper towel in vinegar and wrapping it on the shank with plastic wrap to give it time to soak? More potent acids would work quicker but can etch some metals.

[Jim Cate]

Honestly, why bother trying to remove them? If you use the anchor in a sandy bottom they will eventually be abraded away, and meanwhile they do no harm.

Jim

[zstine]

Originally Posted by Jim Cate

Honestly, why bother trying to remove them? If you use the anchor in a sandy bottom they will eventually be abraded away, and meanwhile they do no harm.

Jim

+1 i agree

[kish]

Originally Posted by SV__Grace

As the weather warms here in the PNW the shellfish go crazy and the past two times I raised anchor the shank, shackles, and first couple of feet of the chain were covered in baby barnacles (apparently the parts touching the surface of the mud).

I pressure washed the barnacles off but can't seem to get the "glue" off that the barnacles leave behind, even using Barnacle Buster (photo attached).

I don't want to harm the galvanizing. Any ideas?

Vinegar [environmentaly friendly] held in place by mixing it with wallpaper paste to make a gel, that can be applied and held in place with cling film to avoid drying out.
Cheap and effective,

[Boatyarddog]

Originally Posted by zstine

+1 i agree

Use your Anchor more.

Do you haul it by hand?
Can't see Any harm in leaving it.
BYD

[sailorboy1]

Originally Posted by SV__Grace

As the weather warms here in the PNW the shellfish go crazy and the past two times I raised anchor the shank, shackles, and first couple of feet of the chain were covered in baby barnacles (apparently the parts touching the surface of the mud).

I pressure washed the barnacles off but can't seem to get the "glue" off that the barnacles leave behind, even using Barnacle Buster (photo attached).

I don't want to harm the galvanizing. Any ideas?

How is the galvanizing holding up on that section of chain? Barncales dont grow on zinc, so ....

[Rucksta]

Barnacle glue attracts future barnacle attachment.
Have you ever noticed they always seem to grow on the same places of your hull?

[geoff3nebel]

Try using the stuff to descale kettles