replacing rusted screws

agesilaus wrote:
Well if nothing else go down to your hardware store buy some replacement screws (I'd get stainless) and a can of white spray paint. Paint the screws white, let them dry and give them a second coat and there you go--white screws.

BK

There you go. In my efforts to marinise my 5er I have been replacing with stainless hardware. Not cheap but once done they won't be replaced again.

Thanks for the advice on the stainless, as that was what I was about to buy.

I've looked on the web for these screws as I have found that I can buy a box of 100 fasteners for what Lowe's wants for 15. Boltdepot.com and mcfeelys.com are my 2 go to sources, but they didn't have any painted screws. scrooscoop.com has them, but their minimum order appears to be 2000.

Looks like a trip to lowe's is in order...either that or paint my own

Ace Hardware or True Value is your best bet for stainless steel screws. Much cheaper than Lowes or Home Depot. The already painted screws are .50 each but if you need more than a few, just buy the spray paint. We've replaced over 300 screws on ours because we spend time close to the ocean.

Rust on your screws is probably not from water but rather an electrical current flowing between the two dissimilar metals. The rust is from the weaker, sacrificial, metal...in your case steel. If you were put stainless without some type of barrier you will have the aluminum corrode away. Here in Florida we see this very often when folks replace their steel screws with stainless. In fact, my pool cage had some steel fasteners replaced with stainless and the stainless screws dropped right out of the aluminum. Using anti-seize lubricant on any screw will help reduce this corrosion. I use Permatex Anti-Seize Lubricant which should be available in any hardware store. I understand that there are screws which have a coating on them which will insulate them from the other metal.

White headed screws are standard stock in most lumber yards and hardware store I frequent.

2 weekends ago I walked into a Home Hardware and bought a box of #6 X 1" PHS screws with the heads painted white.
(PHS - Pan Head Socket)

You may want to check where the screws are located. Rusted screws indicate water contact

X2

Try any Rv dealer for screws. Also look at screws for gutters and downspouts at Lowes or Home Depot, they come white.

You may want to check where the screws are located. Rusted screws indicate water contact

Beware of using stainless. As a hardware dealer I have seen people use stainless in aluminum. The result is the aluminum deteriorates. If you want to use stainless make sure you use an antisieze or some type of product which will prevent the corrosion. It may be better using coated steal fasteners.

agesilaus wrote:
Well if nothing else go down to your hardware store buy some replacement screws (I'd get stainless) and a can of white spray paint. Paint the screws white, let them dry and give them a second coat and there you go--white screws.

BK

+2 That's exactly what I did.