Rusted galvanized waterer - what to do?

[Fowl Engineer]

Any ideas on a way to restore a galvanized waterer that has rusted throughout the tray? I was thinking of scraping out the rust with steel wool and then applying some sort of coating, hopefully one that won't kill the birds.
Thanks a bunch!

 

[Ole rooster]

The only thing I would do is buy plastic one so I could use ACV.

 

[JackE]

Two part mix for autobody. BONDO, Once it cures you have a semi permanent repair.
Jack

 

[Reyvaughn]

I repaired one that was rusted and had split the bottom seam. I sanded it to clean off the rust and used JB weld and let it cure a week. My BW/W Ameraucanas have been drinking out of it for weeks and they are still alive.

 

[Egghead_Jr]

Once cleaned with sandpaper or steel wool apply a primer for galvanized metal. A Sherwin Williams or other large supply store should have it in quart size. It's a serious primer, don't apply indoors and let cure for days before using. Galvanized steel requires a special primer, I've had people working 50 ft away have to leave when using this stuff, it's some noxious but works like nothing else will.

 

[SteveBaz]

Yep you need to put it in a sand blaster and blast it to the original steel base and then dip or spray a new Galvanic process on it. I believe its a 2 step process with a catalyst on the bare metal and then the galvanic treatment to finish. We did that to a new piece on my boat trailer a few years back.

 

[southerndesert]

There are a couple different methods mentioned here that may help... http://www.iowadot.gov/erl/current/IM/content/410.pdf

 

[wyododge]

You can sand the rust off and solder on a new piece to cover the hole. HOWEVER, when you heat galvanized steel it releases substances that are very, very harmful if you breath them, so wear an appropriate respirator. If is easy to solder though. I have built, or repaired many a roof jack that way (mostly for evaporative coolers).

Then paint it. Once cured there is nothing to leach, just watch out for paint chips (although they are pretty benign) as it indicates further corrosion.

I must say that I HATE galvanized fountains though, I went with a five gallon bucket and poultry nipples, I actually cut up the galvanized waterer to make flashing for my roof. Worked great for that.