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Last season I was quite lazy and I neglected to spray fresh water on the SS parts each night when we got back to the slip. As a result, by the end of the summer I had rust spots all over the surface of the rails and tubes (safety raisl and rudder linkage).

As has been previously posted different qualities of stainless stand up to corrosion differently and some Mac owners have experienced some surface rust spotting as a result of the "medium" quality stainless steel used on the 26X.

I was really dreading the chore of buffing and polishing as I assumed it would be a labor intensive process. I spoke to my Uncle who owns a used car lot and several boats about polishing stainless and he recommended I use a product called "Never Dull". This was a totally different approach than I had planned (buffing compound w/buffing wheel and elbow grease) but his confidence in the product sent me to the local NAPA to get a can, I figured what's the harm in trying something easy.

I should point out the rust spots on some parts were significant and were begining to pit in places. The rudder tubes and safety rails were covered in a light rust which didn't come off at all through typical cleaning.

I bought a can of "Never Dull" ($5.95) but I didn't have a lot of confidence it would work on the more rusty areas. Opening the can revealed what looks like a cottony/raggy material soaked in mineral spirits (magic spirits I tell ya). You tear off small amounts and use it to polish with, it's really quite easy to get going.

I started on some of the worst areas and withing one or two wipes the surface rust was completely gone, it was like I was performing an infomercial... I was shocked the rust wiped away like nothing. The mineral spirits left behind quickly dry to a pasty film which wipes away with a papertowel in one swipe. I did the entire boat in about 20 minutes and it looks phenominal.

The long and short of it is I usually expect my boat maintenance projects to grow by 280-300% by the time I finally get completed however "Never Dull" is crazy good stuff. I used about 10% of the can to do the whole boat so I'm set for a while... If you've got a similar surface rust situation this may be the solution for you.

I should point out that I don't know how the stuff will wear in the long-term. The claim by my Uncle is that the mineral spirits left behind do a good job of protecting the steel for quite a while. I guess we'll see how it lasts... For now I'm sold on the magic of "Never Dull".

Thanks to all those who have posted so many of the tips I have used over the last few years. I'll be channeling the wind to cut through the Bay for the first time this year on Saturday, I hope to see some of you on the Chesepeake this summer!

Respectfully,

Greg

Sounds a bit like the stuff I used, it was recommended by a welder as I had used a standard wheel for cutting and cleaning up some of the jobs I did on the boat.
He called the product I got pickling paste but I see on the container it's written as Piknall paste? what I got was out of a larger container at a fabrication works.
This paste is wiped on and left for a few minutes and then wiped off and even the deep ingrained ferrous material that had rusted just dissappeared, the only problem was that where it hit polished stainless it took the gloss off and it needed polishing again.
The areas done with this product are like new over 6 months later.
If I can buy it in a small lot would be keen to get some more so might look for "Never Dull", hope it doesn't make any skin it touches go yellow like what I used.

Rum
I use Rum
I sit on the boat (on the trailer) and drink rum while I look at the rust spots.
You might be suprised but after 3 or 4 rum the rust spots start to fade.
After 6 or 7 I can hardly see the rust spots anymore.
But its nasty stuff, gives me a headache, and doesn't seem to last very long.
Usually the stains are back the next time I look at the boat.

Next time I'll give 'Never Dull' a shot.
Do you mix it with coke or just straight with some ice cubes.

Sorry, thought I was in the pub

As you know, I have a few used Macs thru my yard.
Had the worker busy cleaning S/S on every boat....never a quick task....then along comes the wife.
She told us to use her kitchen product.....well, talk about excellant....probably takes my worker 10-15mins (very outside)to do every bit of S/S on the boat.
The product is called "Steel Clean" S/S cleaner and repellant.
My dear wife got it into her head about 1 yr back that all our appliances in the house had to be replaced with the S/S looking ones, and this is the cleaner she buys for the cleaners to use on them.
It comes in a 250ml pump spray; you hardly use any, and it works perfectly.
Now a word of warning....about putting it on your steering wheel as it makes it sort of slippery....not really a problem but be aware of it.

Cheers
Phillip

Phillip
So where did your wife get it? will help my wife too as she had the same idea with stainless fittings etc.

I wonder if 'Never Dull' works on teenagers....

I thought this may be of interest. It's the Never Dull web site. http://www.nevrdull.com/

Ray

Anita got it from the Supermarket.
Here is Hillmark (manufacturers) wed site.

http://www.hillmark.com.au/contact_us

go to
Products, then
Appliance Care Solutions, then
Stainless Steel Care

we have the pump spray

they have a store locator there too.

Kelly HE
you havn't got dull teenagers have you?
Send them over here to this house for their long holidays.
My young bloke (14) won't stand still, never has. Starts at dawn and finished at 2030hrs. He mows lawns for me and neighbours, works on the property, insists on cleaning inside of every boat, waters and maintains all the gardens daily (gets paid of course), and then comes guitar practice, and coming up the rear.....assignments...always at the last moment.

Cheers
Phillip

Excellent thanks for that Phillip will be near a Bunnings store Monday so will get some to try.
The paste we have is really good but also very strong which at the time was what we needed but for ongoing care this product looks the goods especially with your praise.
Our son and one daughter were like your bloke on the go all the time and never been bored in their life, always another project around the corner, must get it from their mother

I was unaware that the SS rails were imported from Poland.

I was unaware that the SS rails were imported from Poland.

Just informed the missus that I have a great cleaner for your stainless called Steel Kleen and she walked over to the cupboard and said, "what like this one"
Guess I should have learnt at my age to stop being a smart A and listen, as do remember her telling me it was good but I knew better.
Maybe as well, prior to opening my mouth I should check facts first or in this case cupboards.

LOL, Bob.

No wonder they called admiral.

Could not find the steelkleen at Safeway, but there were several other makes.
Bought a 200ml spray called Stainless Steel Magic.