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Dock hardware; Galvanized or Stainless Steel?

April 22, 2008

Which will last longer?
I am building a dock on freshwater lake. Looking at dock hardware kits I am finding Stainless Steel angles and supports offered with galvanized bolts, washers, nuts which I fear will corrode.

Other suppliers offer stainless steel supports w/stainless steel bolts, nuts etc but remember working with SS bolts/nuts can prove frustrating with galling and such.

Is there a proper way to mix SS with galvanized or should I stick with galvanized brackets, supports, and attaching hardware.

I have no idea of the stainless or galvanized material, if there are better or worse types for this application.

Will painting SS with zinc-chromate eliminate the possible corrosion problem?

Thanks

Rick Grossbohlin
homeowner - Dunmor, Kentucky

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April 29, 2008

If you use good quality stainless steel (such as type 316) for all components, they will last for many lifetimes. A dab of grease on the threads before assembly will help with galling.

If you use good quality galvanized components, they will last one lifetime in fresh water.

Jeffrey Holmes, CEF
Spartanburg, South Carolina

304 or better yet 316 stainless. 316 only in salt water. Have all parts electropolished. This will greatly improve the corrosion resistance, brighten, deburr, and leave the surface very clean. Electropolishing dissolves all surface impurities like iron deposits from tooling etc that cause rusting.

Cliff Kusch
electropolishing shop - North Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
September 23, 2009