Stainless steel - Aluminium
Submitted by garffield on Wed, 2020-02-05 09:21
Hi All,
Sorry, but yet another thread asking for help.
As stated within this forum before I bought an aluminium trailer and as it was Chinese within a couple of months all of the steel components on the trailer started rusting out quite badly. I am fixing it up so I can sell it and I am wanting to replace the rusted bolts with stainless steel bolts but I am concerned about corrosion as I've read somewhere before in the past that mixing the 2 together will cause corrosion 100% for sure.
I am just wondering if there is a better alternative to using the stainless steel bolts or if I can still use them with something to prevent the corrosion taking place.
Any advice much appreciated.
Thanks
Geoff
scubafish
Posts: 949
Date Joined: 15/08/12
$$$$$
Stainless Steel,OMG.
Galvanized would do OK,IMO
http://img.gg/BQ91Sys
ranmar850
Posts: 2702
Date Joined: 12/08/12
yes, I would go galvanised.
If the bolts started rusting immediately they were just cad plated, or more likely, just bright finished, no rust resistance whatsoever. Most things will cause corrosion if placed in direct contact with ali, the bolts should have insulating sleeves where they pass through. The whole dissimilar metal thing has always been my greatest turn-off with aluminium trailers, good construction methods can minimise it.
sea-kem
Posts: 14857
Date Joined: 30/11/09
Stainless steel or galv 8.8
Stainless steel or galv 8.8 structural bolts will do the job just coat them in silicone grease or at least grease to give them a chance. As Ranmar says above disimilar metals are a real problem.
Love the West!
garffield
Posts: 31
Date Joined: 28/06/18
I have got some 304
I have got some 304 stainless steel bolts, washers and nuts from work for nothing otherwise I'd be going the cheapest option available.
I think the bolts that were on it were just cheap Chinese bolts not gal, not even painted.
sea-kem
Posts: 14857
Date Joined: 30/11/09
Sounds about right, but like
Sounds about right, but like I say coat them in grease especially the threads when you go to tighten as stainless bolts tend to friction weld when dry.
Love the West!
bellony
Posts: 94
Date Joined: 27/01/10
Duralac
In a perfect world wichever bolts you end up using should have something like duralac used on them. Whitworths and better fastener shops stock it.
sea-kem
Posts: 14857
Date Joined: 30/11/09
I'd actually not recommend
I'd actually not recommend that stuff sorry mate as it hardens and clogs up threads. That's why I recommend silicone grease, gives a good barrier and says soft. As long as he washes the trailer, won't have to much of a problem with galvanic corrosion.
Love the West!
North Coast Marine
Posts: 74
Date Joined: 23/05/16
Use TEF-GEL in place of
Use TEF-GEL in place of Duralac, same concept but stays soft. Expensive but best product I have used for this application.
Duralac sucks to work with, goes EVERYWHERE except where you want it.
garffield
Posts: 31
Date Joined: 28/06/18
Thanks for the
Thanks for the replies.
Would fibreglass washers help also? I can get them for nothing from work also.
sea-kem
Posts: 14857
Date Joined: 30/11/09
Absolutely, I used nylon
Absolutely, I used nylon washers on my boat either side of any stainless to ali bolting.
Love the West!