Stainless Cleanup

[Dave]

I was wondering how to clean some of the discoloration that has surfaced on the stainless steel. What appears to be rust is showing in the welded areas of the stainless steel, for instance on the welded rung to ladder area of the swin ladder.Is there any thing out there that would take this discoloration away?If I brush it with a stainless wire brush will the discoloration disappear or will I just see it all the way down in the steel?How do I keep this from happening again If I do get it clean?

 

[Tim Op't Holt]

Sainless Stainless

I had the same problem as I faced a bottom job and stained stainless. My solution was to go to Wal-Mart. In the automotive dept was a selection of cleaners for stainless and chrome. I picked a creamy paste (like silver polish). I spread it on with a clean cloth, then buffed it with another. It worked well, and leaves a silicone protective film. All it took was a few bucks and elbow grease.

 

[Len O'Connor]

Try "NEVR DULL"

NEVR DULL is a metal polish that is impregnated into a cotton wadding in the can. It works well on stainless and requires less effort than a lot of other metal polishes. As far as preventing it from happening again, apply some wax over the cleaned stainless but expect to have to do this procedure periodically as this is the nature of boating!P. S.: I would recommend against using a wire brush as this will only create more scratches in the surface to begin rusting.

 

[Lloyd Patrick]

Clean up everything

3-M makes a couple of products that are truly superior. "Fiberglass cleaner and wax" and fiberglass restorer and wax". The ease of use and polishing out is remarkable, they really clean the fiberglass, and they clean that surface rust off stainless with a single swipe + layering a coat of wax on it which slows down its inevitable return.

 

[Gene Barton, s/v Paradigm]

Shine and Protect

I agree with Len on both points. The Never Dull works great for me, and it leaves a slight film that helps to retard staining. Once you get caught up, you can just a do a stanchion or two every now and then, and stay on top of it. But please heed Len's other advice, too. Never use a wire brush on stainless steel, or you'll ruin it.