Sound technical content, curated with aloha by
Ted Mooney, P.E. RET
Pine Beach, NJ
The authoritative public forum
for Metal Finishing since 1989
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Removal of Rust from Marine Stainless Steel Cables Used for Rigging and Subsequent Protection
I have an 11 month old trimaran sailboat with stainless steel standing rigging (approximately 3/8" stainless cable that holds up a 42 ft aluminum mast. The boat was in a boat yard (not in the water) in a marine environment for 7 months with the mast down. The base of the stainless steel cable rigging now has rust where it is pressed into the stainless steel fittings that attach to solid components that connect them to the stainless steel u-bolts on boat. The solid components, called HiField levers, also have rust around their swivel pins.
1. What are the preferred methods, process and compounds for safely removing the rust?
2. Once the rust is removed, what substance(s)/process could be applied to the stainless steel standing rigging to retard further rust?
3. What measure of strength might have been lost in the stainless steel cables due to rust in this period?
4. What can the various manufactures recommend for use of stainless steel cables and components in a marine environment, where there can be direct contact with salt water.
Your kind consideration to this "consumer" question is appreciated. I just need some help here. THANKS
2006
2006
Stellar Solutions [a finishing.com supporting advertiser] has citric acid solutions in brushable & spray formulations for cleaning and passivating stainless.
The grade(s) of stainless used seem insufficiently saltwater resistant or perhaps weren't initially passivated. Frequent rinsing with fresh water may be necessary. Resistance increases in the order: 304 < 316 < S31803 (2205) < S32750 (2507). From "Corrosion Resistance in Marine Environments" on the Australian Stainless Steel Development Association's website http://www.assda.asn.au
See also the books 'The Boatowner's Guide to Corrosion,' ISBN 0071550194 and
'Metal Corrosion in Boats: The Prevention of Metal Corrosion in Hulls, Engines, Rigging and Fittings, 2nd edn.' ISBN 1574090542.
Since wire rope is very difficult to rinse, consider vinyl- or PTFE-coated stainless (304) wire rope or polypropylene-impregnated and coated galvanized steel wire rope. Page 1281 at http://www.mcmaster.com
- Goleta, California
Finishing.com honored Ken for his countless carefully researched responses. He passed away May 14, 2015.Rest in peace, Ken. Thank you for your hard work which the finishing world, and we at finishing.com, continue to benefit from.
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