how to remove rust from swage rig fittings

[Captain Abo]

Hello

Considering purchase of a boat (2003 Bavaria 44) Owner had standing rig replaced two years ago but I notice rust buildup where the wire enters the swage fittings, specially on the uppers.

Not sure if it is superficial or if there is an issue there.

Once I make up my mind I WILL have a professional surveyor or a rigger inspect it, but before commiting to that I,d like to have it cleaned to see how it looks.

What is best to clean and maintain rig fittings and terminals? WD40, acids (citric, ospho) etc.?

Thank You
Abo

[Allan S]

Watching; same issue here.

[tkeithlu]

Here's some rust stain remover:

https://www.amazon.com/Whink-1081-12...=&hvlocphy=101
5014&hvtargid=pla-309620124898&th=1

I'm mildly concerned that rust is showing up after only two years.

[Captain Abo]

Originally Posted by tkeithlu

Here's some rust stain remover:

https://www.amazon.com/Whink-1081-12...=&hvlocphy=101
5014&hvtargid=pla-309620124898&th=1

I'm mildly concerned that rust is showing up after only two years.

Actually the job was done sept 2020. Not even 2 rears
The terminal itself is not rusty, but that last bit of the wire as it goes into the swage and specially right there at the end

[meirriba]

1. Make syre ut is really rust. It maybe solidified dust that tends to look like rust. It is common occurrence.
2. If it is really rust, it is very suspicious. May be wrong material used to for the rig.

[sailing_gal]

You can paint the rust with a phosphoric acid solution, about 40%, leave on for a couple of minutes then rinse off. Be sure to do it on a cloudy day, as sun and phosphoric acid will stain stainless steel. Or, you can try something a little weaker- oxalic acid solution is the most common acid used in anti-rust compounds for cleaning stainless steel, Brush on a solution, let it sit for a while, then rinse. Again, best done on a cloudy day or very low sun.

There is a special blue dye that is used to find cracks in stainless. It is kind of nasty to work with. A rigger should have it, or you can probably find the stuff yourself and follow the instructions on the can.

[JPA Cate]

Do you know if the wire is 304 or 316 stainless? 304 doesn't last as well as 316, but in either case it should just be surface stain, and wipe off with a little Emergel, or some similar oxalic acid wipe, and rinse well.

Ann

[sinnerman]

The newer stainless cleaning solutions are citrus-based. Less damaging, more eco friendly. Les dangerous to your skin.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

[zstine]

The rust can be from the steel tooling used to swage the end... anyway, lots of acid solutions to get rid of rust from the mild, vinegar, to wild... oxalic acid is my go-to and works great for that brown stain you get on the boot stripe in the ICW. You can get it in powder form on amazon cheap. I got 2 lbs like 5 years ago and still have half left.

[Captain Abo]

Ok, thanks for the comments
Abo

[washarman]

Clean A Hull

[purplesunrise]

I have found that CitriSurf 2310 works better than other acid solutions because it repassivates the stainless. Definitely do not use muriatic acid. I am still trying to get shine back as a result of that mistake.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

[Statistical]

Rust on SS rigging after less than two years is strange. You have any photos?

[s/v Jedi]

I once checked out someone’s rig with that complaint and it turned out to be brown sealant used for the swage.

For cleaning I recommend the spray bottle of Barkeepers Friend.

[double u]

could be a broken inner strand...