Stainless Staunchion staining
 

I have Stainless staunchions and life line fittings (all Ronstan I think
although I could be wrong about the make of the staunchions) which are
for some reason getting discoloured by something that looks suspiciously
like rust where the line goes though the staunchions. There is no sign
of this rust colour anywhere apart from on the interface between the
two. The Ronstan pelican hooks are looking decidedly rusty.

Does anyone have any idea why this is happening and more importantly
what if anything I can do to fix it?

Is there a cleaning product suitable for getting it back to looking nice?

Cheers,

Steve

On Wed, 02 Feb 2005 15:49:15 +1300, Steve wrote:

I have Stainless staunchions and life line fittings (all Ronstan I think
although I could be wrong about the make of the staunchions) which are
for some reason getting discoloured by something that looks suspiciously
like rust where the line goes though the staunchions. There is no sign
of this rust colour anywhere apart from on the interface between the
two. The Ronstan pelican hooks are looking decidedly rusty.

Does anyone have any idea why this is happening and more importantly
what if anything I can do to fix it?

Is there a cleaning product suitable for getting it back to looking nice?

Cheers,

Steve

There is no such thing as stainless steel. ;-)

I'm pretty sure any light abrasive will remove the rust, unless it is far
worse than I am imagining.

--Mac

It is probably electrolytic corrosion due to dissimilar materials in a wet
environment. The solution is to isolate the lifelines from the stanchions if
possible. You might try using passivation paste on the corrosion. This can
be obtained from a welder's supply. Thoroughly wash with water after using
the paste and use rubber gloves. This will remove all iron particles from
the surface. If you are lucky, there will be no pits and mechanical
polishing will not be necessary. Do not get the paste on the lifelines. Try
using heat shrink tubing for isolation.
Steve

"Steve" wrote in message ...
I have Stainless staunchions and life line fittings (all Ronstan I think
although I could be wrong about the make of the staunchions) which are for
some reason getting discoloured by something that looks suspiciously like
rust where the line goes though the staunchions. There is no sign of this
rust colour anywhere apart from on the interface between the two. The
Ronstan pelican hooks are looking decidedly rusty.

Does anyone have any idea why this is happening and more importantly what
if anything I can do to fix it?

Is there a cleaning product suitable for getting it back to looking nice?

Cheers,

Steve

A little time and a little cleaner wax will remove the stuff

Thanks for the info. I had not heard of passivation paste but have now
bought some. I have yet to try it. I was wrong about the rust being on
only on the interface between the lines and staunchions though. It is
all over the place but only in very thin films. I will still try the paste.

One question... Why not get it on the lifelines?

Thanks again,

Steve

Steve Lusardi wrote:
It is probably electrolytic corrosion due to dissimilar materials in a wet
environment. The solution is to isolate the lifelines from the stanchions if
possible. You might try using passivation paste on the corrosion. This can
be obtained from a welder's supply. Thoroughly wash with water after using
the paste and use rubber gloves. This will remove all iron particles from
the surface. If you are lucky, there will be no pits and mechanical
polishing will not be necessary. Do not get the paste on the lifelines. Try
using heat shrink tubing for isolation.
Steve

"Steve" wrote in message ...

I have Stainless staunchions and life line fittings (all Ronstan I think
although I could be wrong about the make of the staunchions) which are for
some reason getting discoloured by something that looks suspiciously like
rust where the line goes though the staunchions. There is no sign of this
rust colour anywhere apart from on the interface between the two. The
Ronstan pelican hooks are looking decidedly rusty.

Does anyone have any idea why this is happening and more importantly what
if anything I can do to fix it?

Is there a cleaning product suitable for getting it back to looking nice?

Cheers,

Steve

Passivation paste works really well. The rust just vanished! Thanks.

Steve

Steve wrote:
Thanks for the info. I had not heard of passivation paste but have now
bought some. I have yet to try it. I was wrong about the rust being on
only on the interface between the lines and staunchions though. It is
all over the place but only in very thin films. I will still try the paste.

One question... Why not get it on the lifelines?

Thanks again,

Steve

Steve Lusardi wrote:

It is probably electrolytic corrosion due to dissimilar materials in a
wet environment. The solution is to isolate the lifelines from the
stanchions if possible. You might try using passivation paste on the
corrosion. This can be obtained from a welder's supply. Thoroughly
wash with water after using the paste and use rubber gloves. This will
remove all iron particles from the surface. If you are lucky, there
will be no pits and mechanical polishing will not be necessary. Do not
get the paste on the lifelines. Try using heat shrink tubing for
isolation.
Steve

"Steve" wrote in message ...

I have Stainless staunchions and life line fittings (all Ronstan I
think although I could be wrong about the make of the staunchions)
which are for some reason getting discoloured by something that looks
suspiciously like rust where the line goes though the staunchions.
There is no sign of this rust colour anywhere apart from on the
interface between the two. The Ronstan pelican hooks are looking
decidedly rusty.

Does anyone have any idea why this is happening and more importantly
what if anything I can do to fix it?

Is there a cleaning product suitable for getting it back to looking
nice?

Cheers,

Steve