Greater Fort Foote

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Preservation of the Rodman Guns at Fort Foote National Park

 

Joe Henson, President South Potomac Citizens Association, Robert Stellabotta of Duron Paints, and Bill Clark, Manager of Fort Foote and Fort Washington National Parks discuss long-term preservation of the 15-inch Rodman cannons. Rick Vain, Region Vice President of Sales and Operations has authorized the donation of high tech paint materials to preserve these great guns. Photo by Jim Hudnall, Southern Prince George's County Trails Coalition.

Dale Anderson, VFW chaplain, Owner of Selesia Printing, puts on the first coat of primer on the first of the two Rodman Cannons located at Fort Foote National Park.

Getting ready for work, part of the eight member VFW team, from left to right, Joe Henson, west Preble, J, Harrell Pelerson and Dale Anderson.

Community work at Fort Foote

Date: 5/14/01

CLEANING AND PAINTING

 

We are dealing with a historic artifact, thus utmost care must be taken when working on these great guns. Specifically, when one starts to remove the rust and scratches of vandals, we must first be sure that these are new and not marks put on by the manufacture or the troops of that time. For this reason no grinders of any kind shall be used and sanding must be lightly done along with a very careful reading of all makings.

 

Initial Cleaning of the guns

A tent structure will be erected over the cannon(s) prior to any work being performed. This will be done to protect the guns from the elements and to ensure that the completed work is the best that can be done.

 

The gun(s) shall be power washed with a hand power sprayer(s) using a mixture of TSP (one tablespoon) with one gallon of bleach along with three gallons of water. A clear water wash will complete this process.

Rust Removal

Removal of light markings of recent vintage: the first plan of attack shall be the use of sand sponges, viewing the area and looking for any old markings.

 

The second stage of the removal of rust shall be accomplished by use of a portable electric power drills equipped with a 2 ½"coarse wire cup brush. The drill equipped with a wire brush will not be jabbed or stabbed on to the surface, but very lightly worked in and around the rust areas. Flat sand paper, 80 grit shall also be used in the rust removal process.

 

The whole cannon(s) and particularly the areas that are sanded shall be wiped clean with paint thinner, i.e. mineral sprits.

 

Cloths used in the cleaning and paint process will be of bed sheet quality; this will leave the least amount of lint. In cleaning the cannons the cloths shall be turned frequently in order as not to rub the dirt back onto the surface of the gun(s)

 

Painting

Primer is silver in color and is designed to lock into any tight rust, this will minimize the need to dig or scrap into the guns. Note: after the primer is applied, the guns will have to be painted with the final coat no later then six hours after the primer has dried. This means that weather conditions must be taken into consideration. This also means that the gun will be: (1) cleaned (2) rust removal completed and cleaned with paint thinner in one day.  The inside of the gun barrels will be cleaned, primed and painted using a cut off string mops.

 

On the second day, priming of the guns and final painting shall be accomplished in one day. Priming starting in the morning, and after a lunch break final painting.

 

Care when painting: This primer and paint will tend to stick to the skin, thus hospital type rubber gloves should be worn, long sleeve shirts and Vaseline should be rubbed on one's face. NOTE: This whole process can be completed in one day, getting and early start.

 

A team of two and no more then three shall work on each gun. Each team will be lead by one with more five years experience in painting.

 

Tools and Supplies Required

Heavy weight drop cloths around the base of the gun(s)/ Three gallons of paint thinner / One case box of sand sponges / Ten sheets of 80 grit sand paper / One battery powered 14-volt electric drill / Six 559GC roller covers 3/8 thick, 4 inch wide / Four roller handles / Four rag mops / Six old sheets / one large container of Vaseline / two gallons of bleach / water / and one 12 foot fiberglass or wood ladder.

 

Note: Upon completion of the cannons we will then move to have the concrete surrounding one of the guns repaired.

 

Robert Stellabotta/ Joe Henson 05/14/01

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cleaning the interior of the 15 inch barrell of the rodman. Pictured, Joe Henson using a mop coated with cleaner. Another mop will be used to prime, and then paint the interior. Assisting in this effort are West and Harrell.