Boat maintenance is similar to automobile maintenance. Most parts require regular maintenance from the owner while a few things require maintenance in intervals. Most tools and parts are exposed to salty water and an extremely humid environment. If you live near seaside, the saltwater and humidity in the air will form rust and corrosion, and the tools become rusted in a short period.
We can clean the outer portion of the boat and other larger exposed parts easily, but the minor components like fasteners are ignored. Slowly they start rusting. Above all the kind of material used to prepare the tools also play an important role in rusting and damaging the boat. Therefore, it is imperative to buy the best quality fasteners for long-lasting sturdy boat rides.
Fair Wind Fasteners are known to provide the best quality fasteners. They are located in Newport, Rhode Island. Their silicone bronze boat screws are corrosion-resistant and last decades. Various competitors in the market sell fasteners at a cheap price because it contains alloys that react with salt water, but Fair Wind Fastener only supplies silicone bronze wood screws.
Types of Corrosion Affecting the Tools, Fasteners, and Boat
- Atmospheric: When stainless steel is exposed to solids, airborne liquids, or gases like humidity, mist, salt, grime, or rain.
- Chemical: When steel is exposed to a chloride-rich fabric or corrosive compounds like bleach.
- Contact: When small or minute particles of steel, copper, scale or other foreign substance become trapped in the machine, causing pitting.
Maintenance Tips
- Use a soft cloth or a non-abrasive sponge to clean steel fixtures, dipped in water, and a gentle solution, such as mild liquid detergent. Avoid using steel wire brushes, sandpaper, or anything abrasive.
- Marine metal fittings and fixtures are vastly different from chrome-plated equipment. It is vital to know what equipment on board is plated to properly maintain it.
- After any voyage in saltwater, a fresh-water hosing off the deck and cleaning of metal fittings, and greasing with lubricants can reduce the chance of corrosion.
- Regular maintenance and timely repairs can remove rust and chromium oxide settling on safety equipment like stanchions, rails, and handholds.
- A polish coat is frequently applied to the machine and its parts to protect its luster and quality.
- Metal stains can be removed with a paste of baking soda carbonate and warm water or add vinegar to the paste to make it stronger. You can also try warm water and mild detergent.
Best Marine Metal – Silicone Bronze
While easy-to-maintain stainless steel and aluminum have practically taken over trendy boats, some traditional yachts still use silicone bronze deck fittings. Ancient boat builders employed silicon-bronze screws to secure the boards of magnificent wood boats, and dealers now use the same tactics.
Silicon bronze is a low-maintenance material that only needs to be washed once in a while. You can polish it if you want, but even if you leave it the way it is, it lasts longer than stainless steel and aluminum.
In the boating industry, there are various cleaners available, especially to clean fasteners and motor parts of the machine. All these cleaners are safe and can be found online at a reasonable price.