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Rusting 316 Stainless Steel Stair Near Ocean In SC

I have had two samples of the stair electropolished by different vendors. The results are better than the unpolished parts but not without some minor rusting and tea staining.

   

It has been recommended to me that I have the parts electropolished and then flashed chromed. Your thoughts please.

Caleb Wheeler
General Contractor - Robertsville, Missouri, USA
February 3, 2011

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February 10, 2011

Flash chrome, whether the stainless is electropolished or not, would likely solve your problem, BUT..getting complete chrome coverage will be difficult on some of those shapes.

However, I would expect EP T316 to hold up quite well without chrome plating.

Looking at your photos, either some of the components were not electropolished at all, or a very poor job was done. Electropolished T316 should be quite bright and reflective; much in your photos looks like never EP'd dull mill finish.

Look up some photos of EP'd stainless on the web to see what I'm talking about.

Now that the components are installed, you *might* solve your problem by doing in situ passivation with a citric acid passivation process.

We don't recommend specific vendors here, so do a Google search for citric acid passivation.

Jeffrey Holmes, CEF
Spartanburg, South Carolina

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Dear Caleb,

I fully agree with Jeffrey and his solution.
Your parts are definitely NOT electropolished.
Kind regards.
Marc.

Marc Quaghebeur
- Brugge, Belgium, Europe
February 28, 2011

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Near the ocean is of course always a rough place for stainless, even 316. Citric based rust removal/repassivation products and a watchful eye can keep it looking nice. Let us know if we can help.

Ray Kremer
Stellar Solutions, Inc.

McHenry, Illinois

March 1, 2011