Cleaning up Norseman terminals
 

I'm rebuilding my mast, and I'd like to get my rigging terminals looking better. At the very least so I can inspect them better.
Currently, many of them have that golden-brown patina that old stainless gets. I've thought about sending them somewhere to get electropolished (outside only), but I was hoping for a better DIY solution (mechanical, chemical, or both). I've got almost 30 terminals to clean up.

Any suggestions?

Winchenox
 

Hi Ryan, a DIY ss cleaner is that product called Winchenox, (sp-?) and can be purchased from West Marine.

My understanding is that winchenox is a paste of combined acids, nitric, hydroflouric, and phosphoric acids.

When I was in Honolulu, I could only find a rust removing chemical called "Wink", which is only hydroflouric acid,,,, found it it the laundry soap section at a super market,,, it does an ok job, but it is to liquidy, and doesn't stay on the metal , well ,,,,, thus a paste with the acids is better.

The combo 3 acids in a paste, can also be found in welder's supply shops, as welders use the acid paste to clean off the blue heat tint, on the ss after welding.

Don't use sulpheric (sp-?) acid on ss .

This website will help you ,,,,, http://www.outokumpu.com/application..._113142858.pdf

This is the acid paste that I found here in Asia, and it works well to clean and pasivate my ss fittings ,,,,,, http://www.nabakem.com/

Douglas

Oxalic Acid
 

i've used oxalic acid to clean up fastenings, comes in a liquid or crystals. I used the crystals so i can change the strength depending on the nature of the job. Got them from a pharmaceutical suppliers i found in Auckland. I just left them in a container with a acid/water mix over night, almost looked like new...

Regards Rob