i've heard that scrubbing stainless steel with steel wool will clean the rust off; i've also heard that fine bronze wool is better --which is it? once the stainless stanchions are free of rust, can the steel be coated to prolong the shine and retard possible rust? any comments welcome. thanx (new owner....)
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David
BAR KEEPERS FRIEND
Once again, I urge anyone to try Bar Keeper's Friend on exactly the conditions you describe. Get it at any grocery store!
Once again, I urge anyone to try Bar Keeper's Friend on exactly the conditions you describe. Get it at any grocery store!
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david lewis
Steel Wool on Stainless
I want to try to answer your question but I am very concerned that SeaShantyMan and Peggy might take offense to my comments. I don't know if I can take the criticism. I am very depressed by it all. Anyway, I do not recommend using steel wool on stainless to clean off rust. Stainless goes through a process called passivation to remove microscopic contaminants like iron that will cause the stainless to corrode through galvanic action. Steel wool will contaminate the surface, yes the rust will be removed but you will have activated the surface with a contaminant that will cause more corrosion in a very short time. At the atomic level you will be introducing atoms of iron and other alloying elements to a material specifically designed to be corrosion resistant. 3M makes a stainless cleaner and polish which I have used and was happy with the result. No idea what the chemical formula is but I trust 3M as an innovative company with great scientists. If Peggy or SeaShantyMan have a better suggestion accompanied by their credentials in metallurgy I anxiously await their recommendations. Happy polishing, dave
I want to try to answer your question but I am very concerned that SeaShantyMan and Peggy might take offense to my comments. I don't know if I can take the criticism. I am very depressed by it all. Anyway, I do not recommend using steel wool on stainless to clean off rust. Stainless goes through a process called passivation to remove microscopic contaminants like iron that will cause the stainless to corrode through galvanic action. Steel wool will contaminate the surface, yes the rust will be removed but you will have activated the surface with a contaminant that will cause more corrosion in a very short time. At the atomic level you will be introducing atoms of iron and other alloying elements to a material specifically designed to be corrosion resistant. 3M makes a stainless cleaner and polish which I have used and was happy with the result. No idea what the chemical formula is but I trust 3M as an innovative company with great scientists. If Peggy or SeaShantyMan have a better suggestion accompanied by their credentials in metallurgy I anxiously await their recommendations. Happy polishing, dave
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Peggie Hall/Head Mistress
I'm not a metallurgist, but I do know...
that steel wool rusts. When it's used, it "sheds," leaving little bits behind to get into any crack and crevice to rust and leave rust stains behind. Bronze wool, otoh, does not rust. NEVER use STEEL wool on a boat, only bronze wool. It's available from most hardware stores in a wide range, from very coarse to very fine. Whether metal wool of any kind is an appropriate choice for a particular job is topic I'll leave to others to debate.
that steel wool rusts. When it's used, it "sheds," leaving little bits behind to get into any crack and crevice to rust and leave rust stains behind. Bronze wool, otoh, does not rust. NEVER use STEEL wool on a boat, only bronze wool. It's available from most hardware stores in a wide range, from very coarse to very fine. Whether metal wool of any kind is an appropriate choice for a particular job is topic I'll leave to others to debate.
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Russell Egge
Steel Wool
Ok so I am a metallurgist (haven't been in a lab for 15 years but I'll try) Steel wool can be a dangerous product. Not only will it ruin any stainless it will burn. Atomic iron is unstable in an oxygen rich environment use as ours, and will oxide to typically form Fe2O3 or Fe3O4 (both of these are the major compounds found in iron ore) If heated in our atmosphere this reaction happens very quickly. Take steel wool outside, hold it with a pillars and light it with a match. It appears to burn (really it is oxidizing or rusting very rapidly) and gives off heat in the process. Oh yeah, I use 3M and chemicalyy clean my stainless (and leave a passivated surface) Even the oil on your fingers can activate the surface and promote rust. Russell
Ok so I am a metallurgist (haven't been in a lab for 15 years but I'll try) Steel wool can be a dangerous product. Not only will it ruin any stainless it will burn. Atomic iron is unstable in an oxygen rich environment use as ours, and will oxide to typically form Fe2O3 or Fe3O4 (both of these are the major compounds found in iron ore) If heated in our atmosphere this reaction happens very quickly. Take steel wool outside, hold it with a pillars and light it with a match. It appears to burn (really it is oxidizing or rusting very rapidly) and gives off heat in the process. Oh yeah, I use 3M and chemicalyy clean my stainless (and leave a passivated surface) Even the oil on your fingers can activate the surface and promote rust. Russell
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Andy Falls
Magic on Stainless
There is a line of Magic cleaners available at most hardware stores. Stainless Magic, Coutnertop Magic, Wood Magic. Has anyone tried the Stainless Magic product on their boat? I've used it on an Origo stove with good results. Might be the 3M stuff w/o a trademark!
There is a line of Magic cleaners available at most hardware stores. Stainless Magic, Coutnertop Magic, Wood Magic. Has anyone tried the Stainless Magic product on their boat? I've used it on an Origo stove with good results. Might be the 3M stuff w/o a trademark!
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Bryce
stainless
Wichard makes a product called Wichnox. It both cleans and re-passivates SS. Available at Boat US WM etc. Bryce S/V Spellbinder
Wichard makes a product called Wichnox. It both cleans and re-passivates SS. Available at Boat US WM etc. Bryce S/V Spellbinder
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Bryan C.
Soft scrub
I use soft scrub on tough gel coat stains. By accident I found out that a little soft scrub and a rag cleans up SS very easily and nicely.
I use soft scrub on tough gel coat stains. By accident I found out that a little soft scrub and a rag cleans up SS very easily and nicely.
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