Problems with the stainless steel sinks

[Snaken49]

The kitchen and bathroom stainless steel sinks in my 2008 Safari 25 SE are rusting not only around the drain but also in other bottom areas. It seems that the stainless is of very poor quality.

Has anyone else experienced this problem and is there a fix short of buying new sinks? Thanks!

P.S. Will post pictures later today.

[purman]

Here is another example of AirStream cheeping out to increase the profit margin...

I'm finishing the redo of my 68' and put the original stainless sink back in the kitchen that is 41 years old (and it still looks NEW)

It sad to here, If it's still under warranty take it back and have them fix it..

[dwightdi]

If the sinks are rusting it may be that they are not properly passivated or you have done something which has caused the sink surface to be contamenated by iron. The most common cause of this problem is someone trying to make the sinks look good by using fine steel wool to polish the surface. This leave microscopic particles of steel behind which then start to rust and corrode into the surface of the stainless. If you insist on polishing the sinks, do it with a non-metal abrasive. Early Airstream stove tops were not actually stainless but chromed steel. These start to rust because there are holidays (microscopic holes in the plating) and the underlying steel starts to rust.

[jkcru]

You could try powder coating or plating, but in the long run it whould be better to try to find a replacement sink of higher quality.

[rangebowdrie]

Yes,,,Dwightdi has a point, in regards to using steel wool. Always use bronze wool.
In my work, doing yacht restoration (boats have lots of stainless steel),the use of regular steel wool leads to future rust problems. When I find steel wool, (or silicone products), on a boat, I throw them in the trash, and kindly let the owner know, that such products are worse than useless.

Stainless, is not "stain proof",, it just "stains less".

[mello mike]

If it's still under warranty I'd have it replaced.

[mojo]

Push for warranty replacement regardless of time since delivery.

You will have many years to to look forward to repairing other problems...

[Foiled Again]

Originally Posted by rangebowdrie

Yes,,,Dwightdi has a point, in regards to using steel wool. Always use bronze wool.
In my work, doing yacht restoration (boats have lots of stainless steel),the use of regular steel wool leads to future rust problems. When I find steel wool, (or silicone products), on a boat, I throw them in the trash, and kindly let the owner know, that such products are worse than useless.

Stainless, is not "stain proof",, it just "stains less".

I scrub with "Bartender's Friend" - found it last at WalMart. It will polish the sinks up nicely. My regular campground has lots of lime in the water and this is the only thing that keeps the sinks from looking like crap.

Paula (also agree on steel wool, it's wicked stuff)

[Tim A.]

As others have pointed out, stainless steel is not absolutely rust proof and there are many things (not just steel wool) which can kick off a bit of rust on the surface. Bleaches and cleansers containing bleaches are examples.There are any number of good stainless steel cleaners on the market which will remove the rust. On stainless steel, that rust usually does not penetrate deeply.

The warranty route is probably a poor idea. Exactly the same sink from the same manufacturer would be the likely replacement.

[knunut]

Our's looked like some one "Sanded" it. Dealer Replaced it ! Now need fix/upgrade for paper Backsplash !!

[TBRich]

Our galley sink drain rusted and we had it replaced but it was not covered under warranty, unfortunately... I think part of the problem was putting the sink cover on the sink while the sink and drain were wet...it couldn't dry out and that just lead to trouble. We also use wipes that are made for cleaning stainless steel...they work great and get the mineral stains off pretty well. Bartender's Friend is good, too.

[tallytwo1994]

I use Bar Keepers Friend, but my favorite product is Bon Ami which can be used on aluminum as well.

Carol

[robert claus]

Check the sink with a magnet- it should not stick to it. That means that it is high quality 300 series stainless steel and will not rust. Cheaper 400 series will hold a magnet, and will rust due to its ferrous content. If it is non magnetic 300 series, and rust appears, then it is surface contaminated having been cleaned with steel wool or other material, but can be restored with an abrasive cleanser. Make sure to rub only with the grain, or you'll make it appear all scratched up!

[ROBERTSUNRUS]

Hi, I agree with robert claus. I use a magnet on stainless steel items, if it sticks, it will rust.

[7husker]

I am also having rusting kitchen sink issues with my 2008 Safari. Airstream has replaced 3 under warranty. The third sink did not even make it through one camping trip before it started rusting. Do you know who manufactures these sinks? I'm sure to get some "push back" about another replacement. Any ideas?

[Cracker]

-----and if you have the old painted sinks - as in my 2000 Excella - the paint flakes off exposing the stainless or aluminum underneath.

[richinny]

i found this thread on stainless sinks very interesting:
http://www.airforums.com/forums/f468...nks-54514.html

[dvenzor]

I love stainless steel sinks, I will swear by them. True stainless steel does not rust.
There are different grades of SS. 316 stainless is the best, No iron in the steel.It has a grain and does not show water spots. 304B also does not have iron but is a polish finish, harder to keep clean, it shows water spots. Anything other than these two(2) types will rust because of the iron content. FYI, Commercial kitchens use 316 ss.
From a Sheet Metal worker for 36 years.

[dwightdi]

All 300 and 400 series stainless steels contain iron. 300 series stainless are true stain proof. They are generically called 18-8 stainless because they contain 18 percent chrome and 8 percent nickel. The rest of it is iron. 316 also contains 2 percent molybdenum. The rust problem is caused by the actions of the users. People have a tendency, to use steel wool which wrecks the passive nature of the surface. Some cleaning compounds can also cause problems. Follow Airstream's recommendations. Any "stainless steels" that are magnetic are only stain resistant.