Recondition corroded snaps

[jsc7]

Snaps are one of those things that are often made of cheap metal and are pretty thin to begin with, so corrosion is a problem.

What is a good way to rejuvenate corroded snaps?

[JPA Cate]

Get a good snap setting tool, with long handles, for the leverage, and replace them. Sometimes, you can use different kinds of fasteners than snaps, but others, snaps are best. If you do it yourself, you can sister the fabric they go into with some nylon webbing, sometimes they can bet a better grip that way and you are less likely to tear the dodger, or whatever.

This doesn't help them when they get corroded, but I smear the stud half with Vaseline on all the snaps before i put the object back on the boat, and clean out and grease the socket side, as well. It only makes the object easier to put on and take off.



Ann

[GordMay]

Originally Posted by JPA Cate

Get a good snap setting tool, with long handles, for the leverage, and replace them...

Ann's right (again).

[a64pilot]

I like lift a dot, I’m not a snap fan

[Lepke]

If you really want to save the corroded snaps - Archoil AR5100 works on all metals, is water based and will not hurt cloth, vinyl, etc. You can put the solution in a cotton ball and leave on the snap so it stays in contact. Or if the whole item is small, soak in a bucket. It mixes 16:1 or less with water. I have only used the 16:1 mix with good results on removing rust and corrosion for various metals.

[Suijin]

Polishing them with a dremel or similar helps protect them and is a fast way of reconditioning them. The higher the polish the more resistant they are.

If you get a snap tool make sure it’s strong enough to do stainless. The cheap hand ones never are.

[Paul L]

There easy to replace. Drill out the center and push out. Get a decent install tool like this Sailrite one