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Old 02-04-2016, 05:54 PM   #1
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1973 25' Tradewind
Beautiful , Oregon
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What can protect tow safety chains from rusting

Howdy Folks
I am hoping to get a little advice.

I have been restoring my 73 Tradewind, the safety chains were in good condition with rust on about 5 links. I put them in Ready Prep, the stuff you use before painting with POR 15. It did a pretty good job getting rid of the rust. (A little pitting but in good shape) I then rinsed it off with water and left overnight to dry. I already got a light coating of rust over the chain.

I am wondering if I damaged the rust resistance of the chain?

Should I use some kind of protector? Is Naval Jelly a recommended option?

Other?

Any help would be much appreciated.

Thanks

Tony
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Old 02-04-2016, 06:15 PM   #2
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2003 25' Classic
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I've never done anything to protect our chains....they do have surface rust where the zinc is worn...I don't worry about it.


I've used [U]Evapo-Rust[/U] on stuff with very good results...you do have to re-coat though.

Bob
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Old 02-04-2016, 06:49 PM   #3
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Mine didn't rust because they were so messed up with grease from the Hensley! (They say to grease the zerks on the Hensley every 500 miles until it oozes out the bottom of the spring bar bushings, and I did that reasonably religiously!

But recently I dismantled the Hensley hitch to strip the crummy powder coat Hensley use and then I painted it with Por15, top-coated with black and orange anti-rust paint.

At the same time, I cleaned all the gobs of excess grease off the chains with degreaser!

Now, I clean up the excess grease that oozes out as soon as I lube the hitch so that it doesn't make such a mess everywere - including my pant legs!!

Without all the grease and dirt on the chains, now I just spray them lightly with WD-40 now and then and call it good!

Brian.
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Old 02-04-2016, 07:49 PM   #4
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I like "Ospho".
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Old 02-04-2016, 09:19 PM   #5
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after cleaning as Bob recommends above, get some 'zinc' spray from a local industrial supply company (McMaster is an online one).. then just spray the chains again,... as often as you like...
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Old 02-04-2016, 09:59 PM   #6
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I spray mine with WD-40 every now and then....Cheap and easy.
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Old 02-05-2016, 04:47 AM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by cwf View Post
after cleaning as Bob recommends above, get some 'zinc' spray from a local industrial supply company (McMaster is an online one).. then just spray the chains again,... as often as you like...
That's what I would do too. This will work.
http://www.rustoleum.com/product-cat...ompound-spray/
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Old 02-05-2016, 08:23 AM   #8
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1973 25' Tradewind
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Thanks guys, I'll do that.

Just a quick follow up. Does the chains of that day (1973) have an inordinate rust resistance to them? Did I damage that by using the Ready Prep. on it?

Tony
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Old 02-05-2016, 08:41 AM   #9
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If it's the POR15 Ready Prep it should be OK...like EvapOrust it's a water based product that only reacts to the oxidation.

Bob
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Old 02-05-2016, 10:31 AM   #10
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Hello Tony

Typically the chains are galvanized. The nature of galvanizing is, as you're probably aware, that isolated scratches or other compromises in the coating don't tend to rust because of the electrochemical properties of the zinc in the galvanized coating. Once all the zinc is gone, the chain will rust.

I see surface rust on trailer chains all the time. It is only a cosmetic issue. If the appearance is problematic I would suggest replacing the chains using galvanized chain for the replacement.

If you do replace the chain you should use grade 70 chain. I did a quick search and there are a couple of sources for galvanized grade 70 out there:

http://www.westmarine.com/acco--grad...05_154_001_512

You may also be able to find a local source.

Some states require the tow chains to be attached "permanently" which complicates the installation. The existential question becomes, "what is permanent?" I have a twin clevis on mine but a hammerlock would probably be a better choice:

http://www.tulsachain.com/asccustomp...&navParent=437

I've come across twin clevises that are hot dip galvanized but have never found a galvanized hammerlock, although they're up and out of the road spray a little more than the rest of the chain so corrosion may be less of a problem.
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Old 02-05-2016, 10:34 AM   #11
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Chains are cheap.
Replace them!
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Old 02-05-2016, 11:23 AM   #12
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Get a can of rust inhibitor from an industrial/automotive paint store. When it dries, you can paint right over it.

Tom
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Old 02-05-2016, 11:38 AM   #13
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Corrosion X is about as good as it's going to get for rust and other corrosion control. Buy it on Amazon, or any marine supply store..

Larry
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Old 02-05-2016, 11:55 AM   #14
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I use a product called G96. Formulated as a cleaner and lubricant for firearms . Longer lasting and much better lubricant than WD40 and other light spray lube. Also safe around other finishes.
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Old 02-05-2016, 09:14 PM   #15
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1973 25' Tradewind
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Thanks Guys

I will consider replacing them for sure. I replaced almost everything else in the trailer. It wasn't a matter of money. It was a matter of being good ole North American made.

Special thanks Jammer for the links

Tony
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Old 02-07-2016, 09:53 AM   #16
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I clean mine with a rust remover, then spray 3-4 coats on them with Rustoleum black spray paint.
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Old 02-08-2016, 09:12 AM   #17
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Good ideas!
When a boater, I used old home water hoses, split then zip tied around the safety chains.

The inside chain is coated with "corrosion inhibitor"

Another tip is to protect the chains from dragging in first place. This can be done with a bungee cord across the tongue supporting the center of the chain..

If your AS is out doors most of the time, they can rust even when still. A blast of CorrosinX could stop the rusting.

I cleaned my chains yesterday with WD-40, then Denatured alcohol (don't waste real alcohol on this) to remove the cleaner. Next hit them with CorrosionX then quickly wipe with dry rag.
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