Peggie, Hose Clamp Care?

[David Tomlinson]

Peggie, I recently redid my septic hoses an put in new hose clamps (after reading all your great info which made an otherwise imposible job, almost painless).Do you recommend putting anything on the hose clamps to keep them from rusting? Someone mentioned putting vaseline on them? Thanks in advance Peggie for all the great advice!!!!!

 

[Paul Akers]

Stainless?

Hose clamps are stainless steel and should not rust.

 

[Peggie Hall/Head Mistress]

If you used stainless hose clamps,

they shouldn't need any maintenance.

 

[John Visser]

Even stainless steel will rust.

Stainless steel varies a lot, and much of it will rust, albeit slowly. This can be prevented by proper passivation of the SS, which is, to cause a passivating oxide to form on the surface, which is done chemically, with an acid, I believe. Wichard sells a product to do this which I've tried on the on-deck SS with variable success. On SS hose clamps, make sure the screw is SS also - many use plain or plated stell screw, which won't last long. jv

 

[Dave]

Stainless or Stainless?

There are many types of stainless for a variety of purposes. Martensitic stainless (410 series) is hardenable and is usually used at a rockwell C scale range of 32 to 38 HRc.This stuff in a marine environment will not last a week. It rusts very fast. 300 series stainless is not martensitic and thus will not be as hard with lower wear characteristics but is much more corrosion resistant.Then there is 17-4PH, etc, etc.Many grades with varying alloying elements.Inconel (high nickel alloy) is very stain resistant but very expensive and very hard to work with.

 

[Peggie Hall/Headmistress]

Hose clamps are a replaceable item

IMO, it's a good idea to have a reason to inspect 'em at least annually. Even if they haven't corroded and need replacing, it's amazing how many can need tightening...which won't get done if you do anything to let 'em become "out of sight, out of mind."