steel or stainles steel screws

[remcolent]

on the exterior everything is fastened with now rusted steel screws
lights, awning , doorhinges
can I use stainles steel screws and bolds or will this material give a nasty reaction with the aluminium skin
Thanks
Remco

[53flyingcloud]

remcolent
Last year, as a part of my project for cleaning up the exterior, I replaced all of the rusting steel screws with stainless steel screws.
Only time will tell but, for now it certainly looks BETTER~!!
I don't recall the thread but, there was a picture posted on the forum of an older A/S that suffered badly around the exterior light from the effects of rusting steel on aluminum.
Plus, I feel better also..
I've read all the articules about the effects of dissimilar metals and, figure if I'm going that route to start with, it just as well be stainless.
ciao

[sander17]

Stainless steel fasteners are a good match to aluminum. The standard material for helicoil thread inserts in aluminum is stainless. Only one thing to remember: when using a SS nut with a SS bolt, always use a little dab of Antisieze. If you crank down on a dry joint, the nut will weld itself to the bolt and gall when it comes time to remove it.

[74Argosy24MH]

This is a chart showing how various metals will react to each other. I agree, use stainless. I use it everywhere inaccessible or exposed to water/salt.

John

[Silvertwinkie]

In stainless we trust....all others will rust!

[Tarheel]

We used aluminum rivets or SS screws for work on the aluminum on boats and ships. When we had to secure an aluminum superstructre to a steel deck we put a rubber barrier between the steel and aluminum and then used SS fasteners.

[imeynstein]

Has anyone used the stainess steel screws with the rubber washers? If so, did you also follow through with a sealant, or can this be omitted since the rubber washers are supposed to form a water-tight seal? I am thinking of removing my roof antenna and am thinking of alternatives to riveting....

[thenewkid64]

The original base I believe is screwed to the skin. I would do the same and use plenty of vulcem between the antenna base and the skin as well as potting the screws once they are installed.

[p.dow]

i replaced our rusted sheet metal screws that had weeped discolor onto the sideing with alum. sheet metal screws we got at ace hardware.
looks are greatly improved.
paul

[imeynstein]

I plan on using the stainless steel screws when I replace the hot water heater. Has anyone replaced their hot water heater with one of those tankless hot water heaters?

[Over59]

Great link with the metal to metal reaction. Thanks.

[Tarheel]

Stainless Steel is a little more expensive, and when you are in a hurry or need them righ now some of the local hardware (if there is still such a thing in your neighborhood) sometimes don't carry them. They are worth the extra expense, and all of your boat supply places carry them and other SS hardware that is hard to find elsewhere.