Why do my SS parts have some corrosion on them?

[NateZ]

The boat doesnt stay in the water for more than about 2 or 3 hours at a timeonce a week, saltwater though. Starting to see some rust rust type corrosion on my stainless steel hardware, like the props, dual drive interconnect bar and brackets, etc... This normal?

Nate

 

[Bt Doctur]

Re: Why do my SS parts have some corrosion on them?

cheap grade of SS, normal for todays boats

 

[Bondo]

Re: Why do my SS parts have some corrosion on them?

Ayuh,... SSteel is not pure chromium, but still has carbon steel in it...
It's corrosion Resistent, not corrosion Proof...

 

[rodbolt]

Re: Why do my SS parts have some corrosion on them?

typically marine hardware is 304 stainless, it has a higher steel content than say 1704,its also slightly softer.
this is due to whats known as chloride stress corrosion.
thats when various salts,some even found in freshwater, interacts with the alloy.
polishing with a fine polishing abrasive will help due to closing up some of the metal pores.
its also why we dont like stainless fasteners in the ex system.

 

[wellsc1]

Re: Why do my SS parts have some corrosion on them?

What grade SS does Harbor Freight sell? I know it's got to be a cheap grade, but how cheap?

 

[DennisM]

Re: Why do my SS parts have some corrosion on them?

What grade SS does Harbor Freight sell? I know it's got to be a cheap grade, but how cheap?

Put it this way, a great saying I have for them, "They sell tools, and tool shaped objects. The hard part is figuring out which is which."

I would bet its a very low low grade.

 

[TilliamWe]

Re: Why do my SS parts have some corrosion on them?

Yep Nate, you are finding out that it's called stainless steel, not STAINFREE steel. It happens, especially in saltwater.

 

[JustJason]

Re: Why do my SS parts have some corrosion on them?

Most if not all of the manufactorers do recommend that you hose down the engine a few times a year with anticorrosion spray if you use your boat in the salt.

 

[tkrfxr]

Re: Why do my SS parts have some corrosion on them?

Water-exposed metal can corrode, no matter the grade of steel. As a general rule, if it moves, grease it; if it doesn't, paint it.

Especially underwater metal exposed to saltwater.