Stainless Fasteners

[jmayaa]

I was washing my CT earlier today. I noticed that a lot of the self tapping screws that hold the siding on are staring to rust. Kind of looks crappy.
My question,
Are there any sources for bulk stainless steel screws like are used on the sides?

I'm guessing the originals are galvanized or zinc plated and are starting to rust. The rust around some has actually started to bubble the finish on the siding material around the rusty screws.
Any thoughts on how to repair that?
Thanks,
Jeff in Hagerstown

[Philip]

MCMaster-Car is a good place to find stainless screws in bulk.

http://www.mcmaster.com/#stainless-stee ... s/=13vuzx6

[m.colley]

Try looking at Fastenal. Their usually reasonable and you can buy just about any kind of screw or fastener from them.


Martin

[Iconfabul8]

I have been getting my stainless stuff from these guys. Fast and free shipping and great prices.
http://stores.ebay.com/Albany-County-Fa ... b=21230421

[Shadow Catcher]

i will second Iconfabul8 I have replaced about 300 screws with stainless steel and used the square drive #8 i" and !.5". They are also available special order from Lowes.

[jmayaa]

I found some at McMaster Carr.
I will check these others out also...
Good to know I'm not the only one with rusty screws...LOL...

OK,
One other question,
What if anything can be done with the "bubbling" of the outer skin around these rusty screws?
I have several areas that is really starting to bubble up. I'm guessing its a reaction between the aluminum panel and the rust on the fastener???
My outer skins are red.
Thanks for all the help...

[hankaye]

jmayaa, Howdy;

The bubbly stuff is corrosion. Simply put it's aluminum's version of rust. Whitish powdery stuff.
Find some matching paint to cover the surface after you remove the corrosion.
Scrape off the loose paint with a plastic scraper and use a green Scotchbrite pad to remove
as much of the crud as you can. Always use the mildest method that works. If you are careful
and mask off the area you might get away with using some Navel-Jelly (they have a specific
formula for aluminum), to remove the crud and after rinsing it off it will have left a protective
coating on the now clean alum. Then it a simple prime and paint.
When you install the new SS screws, you might want to give them a coat of silicone or spray
some paint into the screw holes to act as a barrier between the threads and the skin of the trailer.

hank

[jmayaa]

Just ordered the screws from the outfit on ebay...
Just want to say THANKS to all who responded and offered suggestions...