Toe Rail hardware rust?

[quirozson]

I have a 2001 Montgomery 17. Rust is showing on the mounting bolts and nuts of the teak toe rail. Considering a temporary fix of a bead of 3M 4000 or 4200 around the entire toe rail to prevent water intrusion. Don't feel the condition warrants removing the entire railing at this point, as I fear teak is more likely to be ruined in areas where the bond to the deck is still strong. The toe rail is mounted to the ridge where the deck and hull are joined together, so the bolts go through solid fiberglass with no core wood susceptible to rot. Thought, suggestions? Thanks in advance!

[OldManMirage]

It looks to me like the washers are the culprits, they are likely a poor grade of stainless steel and so they are rusting a little from the moisture that gets behind the rail.

I would probably try removing them one at a time, clean up the area around the bolt, put down a little bead of silicone around it and re-fasten with a new washer. Could use the same nuts or not. Do them each one at a time before moving to the next one, or maybe do every other one at once.

[tkeithlu]

The Old Man has it. Consider in addition to his advice making an attempt at preventing water from coming down the bolts, if indeed that is happening. Back off a nut until it clears the end of the bolt, and tap it upward with a soft hammer (brass, copper, plastic head) to see if the teak cap will pop off (don't lose it!). If so, you can pull the bolt, coat it in 3M 5200, and put it back in place.

[Nicholson58]

Good advice. You are right, not a big problem now, just cosmetics. This is a common problem you will be chasing a long time. The best solution requires total replacement of the fasteners with a better grade of metal. Inside the hole is an oxygen starved zone. This makes it worse.

We use Starbright to remove rust stains from gel coat and Awlgrip. Works well on SS as well.

[roverhi]

Originally Posted by OldManMirage

I would probably try removing them one at a time, clean up the area around the bolt, put down a little bead of silicone around it and re-fasten with a new washer.

NOT SILLYCONE!!!!!!!! Use any sealant but sillycone.

[Calif.Ted]

Originally Posted by OldManMirage

It looks to me like the washers are the culprits, they are likely a poor grade of stainless steel and so they are rusting a little from the moisture that gets behind the rail.

I would probably try removing them one at a time, clean up the area around the bolt, put down a little bead of silicone around it and re-fasten with a new washer. Could use the same nuts or not. Do them each one at a time before moving to the next one, or maybe do every other one at once.

Agree, only new washer and nut, but no sealant.

[jackjb53]

Practical Sailor just put out an article on corrosion which would be a good read for your situation. I agree with most of the comments on how to fix. Bear in mind stainless steel will corrode in the absence of oxygen.

[jackjb53]

Ooops! Forgot to add the link to the article. https://www.practical-sailor.com/boa...oatMaintenance

[Nicholson58]

Followed the link. Good information BUT they note the use of 304 SS for boats. In my opinion, 304 and 305 should not be used. They are prone to crevice, stress and intergranular corrosion and are also herder to maintain shiny. Use 316 or 316L is better yet.