Swim Ladder Rust

[lehighsail]

Does anyone have any suggestions on how to revitalize the swim ladder?
I don't know if the ladder is aluminum or stainless. It appears to have a light coating of rust and is very hard to pull out and push back in. How do I clean it, protect it, and lubricate it?

 

[kloudie1]

Get some very fine steel wool, like 000 grade or finer. Put an automotive cleaner/wax on it and rub with the steel wool .. You'll be surprised at how well it works.. Some cautions: you have to get all the wool dust off the transom and the ladder or it will rust and really make a rusty mess.. A towel on the ladder is sufficient and a wash down and mop on the transom is good.. Squirt WD 40 or your favorite lube on the hinges and pins and work the ladder a little and it will free up.. Good Luck !

 

[Steve Dion]

Best bet is probably the cheapest. Miracle Polishing Cloth. These can be had for about $2-250 each on e-Bay. It is the absolute best that I have found to remove surface rust.

We actually tried several other products on a friends HC'37 several years ago and the Miracle Polishing Cloth cleaned the best. It was also rated by Practical Sailor as a good option.

Last time I got them I purchased about 10 of them and gave several away so they would not borrow mine. <g>

 

[Warren Milberg]

The aging stainless swim ladder on my 1986 H28.5 gets a bit of fine film rust on it (as do the stanchions, now and then). I do not recommend using regular steel wool on anything on your boat. As noted in other posts here, if you are not careful about the particles it leaves when you use it, you'll get more rust everywhere. I have found that using a Dobie pad with chrome polishing liquid does a nice job of getting rid of the rust and protecting the againg stainless for some months. I've also used an old cheap electric tooth brush with the chrome polish to get into hard to reach places. This job just becomes one of the ordinary routine maintenance chores required on an aging sailboat. If you keep up with it, it's no big deal.

 

[lehighsail]

Thanks for the suggestions, I will try the techniques without the steel wool first.

 

[Dennis W.]

Alternative to steel wool

Brass wool is readily available if you need the abrasive qualities of steel wool. The least abrasive alternative that meets your needs should always be your first choice.