Advice for cleaning bow rails-gctid349332

[Guest]

Hi all,

Need some good advice for cleaning bow rails that have been in salt water climate for 12 years.

The rails look good but, have started to pit.

I have ordered some brass wool but, I have not started the project yet.

I really do not want to use the brass wool unless it is necessary.

Anybody got any advice on the best method to start with?

After I have gotten them looking good, what should I use for protection due to the fact they have started to pit? I have never been around a salt water enviroment to deal with this.

The boat is now in fresh water.

Thanks in advance,

Bob

[JimMc]

I would use a buffing wheel and a compound made for stainless. Maybe one of the Mothers auto buffing balls. A dremel with a buffing wheel would be slow but would work, again use a compound.

Flitz polish is made for stainless.

You cant make the pits go away.

Stainless chemically reacts with the air to prevent it from rusting so don't coat the stainless with anything but a wax.

[Guest]

Jim,

Thanks! i have one of those Mother's balls and never even thought about it.

Bob

[richardson]

+2 on the Flitz. You probably can't get rid of the pitting you already have.

[Guest]

Flitz is good, Autosol also has a good reputation, but a little harder to find.

[yachtman]

Never dull. Works great ...no steel wool

[boatworkfl]

Brasso or flitz

Do not use brass wool!

[kwb]

boatworkfl wrote:
Brasso or flitz

Do not use brass wool!

I have had great luck cleaning stainless rails with bronze wool - why the aversion?

I know steel wool is a PITA to clean up from on a boat.

[boatworkfl]

kwb wrote:
I have had great luck cleaning stainless rails with bronze wool - why the aversion?

I know steel wool is a PITA to clean up from on a boat.

brass no, bronze is different. I would use brasso or flitz, it is used by some of the charter boats in Seward, AK.

[Guest]

boatworkfl wrote:
brass no, bronze is different. I would use brasso or flitz, it is used by some of the charter boats in Seward, AK.

Bronze is what I ordered, have no idea why I typed brass.