The authoritative public forum
  for Metal Finishing since 1989
-----

Furniture designer's stainless steel patio furniture is rusting

2007

To anyone,
I have had a stainless steel sectional sofa and 2 chaises made for outdoor use. They have cushions on them. THey seem to have small rust spots appearing ? The metal is 1"x2" tubing and I was told that it is 16 gauge. Does anyone know why it might be rusting in certain places? I wonder if it isn't really 16 gauge?

Thank you,

Tomas Newsom
Furniture Designer - Los Angeles, California, USA

---

"Gauge" refers to thickness of the metal rather than the type, Thomas, and would have little to do with rusting. You need to determine what kind of stainless steel it is. If the grade is okay, things that are known to cause rusting include cleaning with bleach or steel wool, and exposure to muriatic acid ⇦this on eBay or Amazon [affil links] fumes.

Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
2007

---

There are safe ways to remove the rust and passivate the surface to help prevent future corrosion.

adv.
Let us know if we can help.

Ray Kremer
Stellar Solutions, Inc.

McHenry, Illinois

2007

---

Dear Tomas,
We've been working with a company in Florida that builds Stainless Steel railing systems for upscale homes and businesses. They were having the same problem with light rust spots as you are. To repair their railings, they take a (fine) Scotch-Brite pad under a constant trickle of water and lightly rub the rust spots away and blend the spot into the rest of the frame.

adv.
Then follow up with a couple of coats of Sharkhide ⇦this on eBay or Amazon [affil links] Metal Protectant and the rust won't return.
Hope this is of some help.

Clint Bland
O'Fallon, Illinois
2007