Rust on stainless (cleats, fittings, etc)

[zigzag930]

I've used Colinite Metal polish on some of the stainless fittings on the front deck (cleats, etc). They looked great for a few weeks but are not starting show moderate surface rusting. The fittings I didn't clean are still fine, although they could use cleaning.

Is there something I should use to protect the stainless after cleaning it? This was never an issue on my Harley, so not sure what's going on.

[SEVEN]

Typical in a saltwater environment. I even get a little bit in fresh water. After a good cleaning I usually wax the stainless. I’ve tried woody wax and that seems to work really well, it was recommended by one of the fellow Hatteras owners on this site.

[JuiceClark]

Every time I wash the boat, I wipe Aluma-Guard on all the metal stuff. You can't do the ladder or anything requiring a sure grip.

It's a real hassle, but looks great. I doubt it's better than Woody Wax, but it's a bit cheaper.

[racclarkson@gmail.com]

Woody Wax probably isn’t expensive if you use it as directed and considering it’s good for wood and fiberglass.

[zigzag930]

I'll have to try some of those suggestions.

Frustrating as I never had this issue on my Whalers ('79 17 montauk or '07 210 Outrage). Never a spot of rust on any of those fittings.

[cenger]

WD-40 is the same as aluma-guard. It is good an all metals, protects and leaves a nice shine.

[wpc691]

I'll have to try some of those suggestions.

Frustrating as I never had this issue on my Whalers ('79 17 montauk or '07 210 Outrage). Never a spot of rust on any of those fittings.

Are original Hatteras fittings problematic? I don’t have a spot of rust anywhere, and I never really do anything to them. I have many issues (lol), but rust spots isn’t one of them.

[racclarkson@gmail.com]

Are original Hatteras fittings problematic? I don’t have a spot of rust anywhere, and I never really do anything to them. I have many issues (lol), but rust spots isn’t one of them.

I don’t either except around the mounting bolts. I think the salt works in there and can’t easily be rinsed away. What I do is paint those areas with phosphoric acid and rinse-maybe once a year. The rust stains go away and stay away. I’ve never waxed or otherwise treated my SS hardware beyond the mounting hardware.

[ageless]

Woody Wax probably isn’t expensive if you use it as directed and considering it’s good for wood and fiberglass.

Fluid Film is another great productive like Woody's that is about $7-8/can