Browse Forums DIY, Home Maintenance & Repair 1 Feb 08, 2010 9:45 am We have had a stainless steel mailbox in place for 5 months. It is now "rusting" in places. Also the 2 posts don't look like s/steel but polished chrome - I could be wrong : Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ I thought s/steel didn't rust ! That's why we paid $200 for that particular mailbox The supplier suggests we live in a "harsh" environment. We are about 1 km from a river. He has advised that we should clean the mailbox with a scotchbrite scourer and soapy water and then use a stainless steel cleaner like 3M. My questions, if you have any advice : 1. Is it possibly a low grade s/steel? 2. Are the cleaning suggestions feasible? This is what is said about the 3M product : 3M Stainless Steel Cleaner and Polish is an easy-to-apply invention that is ideal for stainless steel, chrome, laminated plastics and aluminium surfaces. With a high gloss formula, it wipes clean with no streaks or build-up, helps resist fingerprints and surface blemishes. It doesn't sound like a product for the outdoors, to me 3. Can we seal it ourselves with a product for further protection? Built the Eden Brae Cambridge 34 Family with Boston Corner Facade Re: SINCE WHEN DOES STAINLESS STEEL RUST ?? 2Feb 08, 2010 10:14 am The ability of stainless steel to resist corrosion depends on the chromium content. Low grade alloys will eventually rust and are not really "stainless". Try a magnet on the surface to see just how little chromium there is in everyday items, like cutlery for example. If stainless steel fridges were really high grade material the fridge magnet industry would be out of business Re: SINCE WHEN DOES STAINLESS STEEL RUST ?? 3Feb 08, 2010 10:43 am As Merlin suggests "stainless steels aint' stainless steels...Sol"...god I hope people remember that commercial. Some stainless are highly corrosion resistant....some are highly abrasion resistant...some are free machining (ie. easy to machine on a lathe)...some are more easily weldable than others. Looks like there is a stainless post there as well - does that have the surface corrosion - because I suspect that's probably a different grade and the box itself is probably a less corrosion resistant grade. And yes use a plastic scourer...metal one will scratch it (obviously) but also contaminate it with ferrous particles (which rust). And 1 km from a river (even a salt water river) I wouldn't consider "harsh"...has he heard of a "boat". mmm....donuts Homer Simpson 1956- Links: Site Costs Ready Reckoner | H1 Addiction Medical Advice | Château TDL: The Backyard Re: SINCE WHEN DOES STAINLESS STEEL RUST ?? 4Feb 08, 2010 10:54 am to_do_list Looks like there is a stainless post there as well - does that have the surface corrosion Yes, it's starting to tdl, mostly on the top of each post Quote: And 1 km from a river (even a salt water river) I wouldn't consider "harsh"...has he heard of a "boat". That's what we thought too tdl but how does one define "harsh" ? I should have asked them to explain their definition of "harsh" before ordering. You live & learn Built the Eden Brae Cambridge 34 Family with Boston Corner Facade Re: SINCE WHEN DOES STAINLESS STEEL RUST ?? 5Feb 08, 2010 6:22 pm Stainless steel WILL rust especially if working with steel over it, as I found out several years ago at a winery doing the catwalks So, if the scotchbrite scourer has any hint of steel (something like steel wool) in it it will certainly corrode as they are incompatible. Arfur Re: SINCE WHEN DOES STAINLESS STEEL RUST ?? 7Feb 09, 2010 3:14 pm OUCH! Internal and External Building and Colour Consultant Online - Worldwide http://www.denovoconcepts.com Re: SINCE WHEN DOES STAINLESS STEEL RUST ?? 8Feb 10, 2010 8:24 pm Just get some oil-based stainless steel cleaner from the supermarket - I bet the 3M one is oil-based (and way more expensive ). Our outdoor light fittings are brushed stainless steel, and they recommend oiling them regularly. So far, I've done it once. Clean, oil, wipe off the excess.....you should only need to do it now and then, but if it's inferior grade stainless steel, it might need to be more regular. Re: SINCE WHEN DOES STAINLESS STEEL RUST ?? 9Feb 10, 2010 8:38 pm Oh Ok, thanks kek or fitbodies.......or whoever you are Seriously though, I might contact the supplier & ask just what they mean by 'harsh' Ridiculous to classify our location as subject to 'harsh' conditions as we're nowhere near salt water Built the Eden Brae Cambridge 34 Family with Boston Corner Facade Re: SINCE WHEN DOES STAINLESS STEEL RUST ?? 12Feb 10, 2010 11:17 pm You could always spray it with a sacrificial lanoline or other clear oil/wax/barrier. Well just a thought Where you are coming from is where you are going to... Re: SINCE WHEN DOES STAINLESS STEEL RUST ?? 14Feb 10, 2010 11:30 pm Sacrificial coverings are materials that will protect what's underneath but in the process they degrade (hence they need to be re-applied). Like a sacrificial anode if you're familiar with them Lanolin is a greasy waterproof substance that comes from sheep Hence, the waterproof lanolin forms a barrier to prevent oxidation of your stainless steel, but over time it will need to be re-applied. Re: SINCE WHEN DOES STAINLESS STEEL RUST ?? 15Feb 10, 2010 11:35 pm very good -V Sacrificial... as in it does wear but protect the bit it covers sacrificial as in it does need to be redone but at minimal cost and minimal energy. I found this on the wiki: a bit lame but you get the drift The sacrificial coating protects the hull, but because it takes the damage the hull doesn't, we must replace it annually. Where you are coming from is where you are going to... Re: SINCE WHEN DOES STAINLESS STEEL RUST ?? 17Feb 11, 2010 12:00 pm Sacrificial anode is the correct term for applying a less noble metal (such as zinc) to the structure. They work by sacrifically corroding and thereby protecting the metal. The cover does not have to be continous to provide protection. That is, scratches will not reduce their effectiveness. Paints, lanolin and the like are a barrier protection. They work by excluding water or air, therefore no corrosion can occur. The barrier must be continous. All barriers will eventually wear away, evenifit is every 10 yeas with paint. I better get off my soap box... Demolition August 2009, Construction Started September 2009, Completed December 2010 Re: SINCE WHEN DOES STAINLESS STEEL RUST ?? 18Feb 11, 2010 12:07 pm yeh I was thinking more like when it looks dirty give it some lovin' Where you are coming from is where you are going to... Re: SINCE WHEN DOES STAINLESS STEEL RUST ?? 19Feb 11, 2010 12:14 pm I'm all for accuracy, thanks Casa! Consider me better educated on the subject now You’re on the right track, wire brush in a grinder then a zinc rich epoxy primer then a top coat of some sort, like a waterproofing membrane. Raising the concrete would… 1 7034 if l cannot get a sandblaster would a sander with sandpaper be better then a wire brush 4 7348 That just protects from further rust, l want first to apply a rust converter or rust killer to kill the rust thats there, whats the best one for galvanized steel 2 7505 |