STAINLESS SHIELD® KIT

How to Clean Rust from Stainless Steel on Your Boat

1. Remove lose rust and dirt from the stainless steel with a plastic bristle scrub brush and wash it with BOAT CLEAN PLUS^® to remove any pollutants that can inhibit the chemical action.
2. Brush QUICK SILVER^® Stainless Steel Cleaner liberally onto rusty or stained stainless steel and surrounding rust stains*.
3. Allow it to work for 5 to 30 minutes and rinse clean**. Repeat if necessary.
4. Protect against future rusting with STAINLESS SHIELD^® clear coat.

Quick Silver works very Quickly. I just brushed it on & rinsed it off and all the rust and stains are gone. The plates looked new again and no scrubbing. We need this in Australia. -Richard Sherman

click to enlarge

Rust and stain removal with QUICK SILVER^® is quick, easy and safe. Just brush the environment friendly stainless steel cleaner onto the rusty surface, wait 5 to 30 minutes and rinse it clean, revealing bright, shiny and passivated stainless surface. After 24 hours, you can protect your stainless steel from further rusting and staining with long lasting STAINLESS SHIELD^® clear coat.

Other unique features of QUICK SILVER^® are its incredible penetrating power allowing it to penetrate deeply into rust pits and crevices to dissolve the rust, plus its chelating action which prevents re-deposition of the rust until it’s all rinsed away. QUICK SILVER^® will also remove rust stain from fiberglass and most other surrounding surfaces. (Always test surrounding material first for effectiveness and safety)

QUICK SILVER's unique formula is designed to work quickly and easily on marine grade stainless steel with a minimum of labor. Simply brush it on, wait, and rinse it off. It's the fastest acting, most effective rust remover for stainless steel available. Its gel formula clings to vertical surfaces for ease of use and this also prevents premature drying, allowing the rust removal and passivation action to continue for longer periods of time until the process is complete.

Quick Silver is by far the Best Cleaning Product for Stainless Steel.
-Guy Thoroughgood, McNab

click to enlarge

*TEST FIRST. QUICK SILVER^® is generally safe for surrounding areas such as fiberglass, plastics, PVC, Hypalon and marine grade paint, but it's important to test a small area first to make sure there is no detrimental reaction. When you're sure that it works to your satisfaction, then continue to clean all your stainless steel.
**DWELL TIME. Do not allow QUICK SILVER^® to remain on surface for more than 1 hour.

It seems redundant that you should brush off the rust and wash and degrease the surface before you clean off the rust but it makes perfect sense once you understand why. If you have excessive lose rust and dirt on the surface, you're going to need more QUICK SILVER^® to react with that before it even gets a chance to clean the rust from your stainless steel and the dirt will just inhibit the chemical reaction to nullify its effect. Quickly brushing off lose rust and dirt with a nylon bristled scrub brush will allow the rust cleaner to get to where it needs to be much faster and easier. In the end it will save you time and money. If you only have rust stains, you can skip this step. Washing and degreasing is also important to allow QUICK SILVER^® to work properly; if there are oily pollutants on the surface, even if they're not visible, they can prevent the QUICK SILVER^® stainless steel cleaner from doing its job properly and you could wind up with residue corrosion and an uneven finish.

Never use a wire brush, steel wool scouring pads or sandpaper to clean off the excessive rust and dirt. First of all, they will scratch the surface and second they will leave behind traces of iron or steel which will act as initiators or seeds to start further rusting.

There are many stainless steel cleaners and polishes on the market, but the problems are that they typically require hard scrubbing, rubbing and polishing and as soon as the stainless steel is clean, it begins to rust again. Crevices and pits could not be cleaned properly leaving residual rust which acts as an initiator to start the rusting and staining process all over again. Chemical cleaners work better but still have the problem of not restoring the protective chromium oxide layer in order to passivate the metal. This has to be done in a separate procedure, which us usually skipped. If allowed to continue, the bright, shiny, stainless steel soon begins to corrode and pit.

The reason that QUICK SILVER^® is the best Stainless Steel cleaner and rust remover is that its new technology dissolves rust, cleans stains and re-passivates the stainless steel all in one easy step, saving countless hours of labor and eliminating the need for removing the stainless steel for passivation with hazardous chemicals at high temperatures. The stainless steel can be cleaned, brightened and re-passivated in place, on your boat or on site.

Here's another thing that I cleaned & protected with Stainless Shield in less than 10 minutes. Nice! -Richard Sherman, Australia

click to enlarge

QUICK SILVER^® is a gel based formula. The higher viscosity makes the product sticky and controls the release of the active ingredients to allow the material to cling to vertical surfaces and work at rust removal for longer effective periods of time. The chelating ingredients hold the offending residue in suspension so that the creation of protective chromium oxide, known as passivation, can be generated on the surface to prevent flash rusting and retard future rusting after it's rinsed off.

In keeping with Aurora Marine's mandate, QUICK SILVER^® is Environment Friendly. It's water based and Biodegradable. Being Environment Friendly is important as often times the stainless steel fittings and rails etc. on a boat will need to be cleaned while the boat is in the water. It's reassuring to know that the effluent that is rinsed into the water will have a minimum impact of the water and marine life.

When your stainless steel is clean, passivated and dry it's encouraging to know that you can easily protect it against further degradation and the necessity for repeated cleaning by applying STAINLESS SHIELD^® clear coat. It will seal your stainless surfaces against attack for salt water, salt air and other environmental and chemical pollutants, eliminating the necessity for constantly cleaning and maintain your boat fittings and railings.

This protective coating is durable and long lasting and will give you more time to enjoy your boat and require less time to maintain it. STAINLESS SHIELD^® is a clear, water based polymeric coating formulated especially for Stainless Steel. It displays excellent performance as a direct to metal finish with excellent adhesion and water resistanceand no primer is required. STAINLESS SHIELD^® dries to a hard and durable, clear, shiny, finish with very low VOC's and without any hazardous ingredients. It's safe to use, biodegradable and environment friendly.

Understanding Stainless Steel is a bit confusing. Most people wonder why it rusts, pits and stains when it's supposed to be stainless. In fact, there are many grades of stainless steel, each alloy designed for a specific purpose. They are blends of mild steel with various concentrations of chromium, nickel, molybdenum and other ingredients that effect its strength, workability, weld ability, ability to resist (but not entirely eliminate) corrosion, etc. Marine grade typically refers to 304 and 316 grades, but there are other variations, with 316 being the most resistant to salt water and chemical attack.

click to enlarge

The way that stainless steel works is that it forms a microscopic layer of chromium oxide on the surface that is highly resistant to corrosion; its Passive State. It requires a constant state of interaction with oxygen in the air or flowing water to maintain this chromium oxide layer. If this oxygen interaction is disrupted by abrasion, or inhibited by the presence of stagnant water where the oxygen is depleted or deposition of chlorides from salt water or salt air, preventing the oxidation process to continue, the passive stainless steel layer reverts back to its Active State, similar to that of mild steel. It then begins to corrode or rust all over again.

Another common factor that affects the performance of stainless steel is mild steel or iron contamination. Even minor traces of steel or iron on the surface can act as an initiator or seed for rust to begin developing. Once started, it deprives the natural oxidation process, and it can spread rapidly and burrow deep into the metal to create corrosive pits and crevices. This can occur from abrasion contact with a piece of steel or even the use of steel bit screwdrivers, sockets or wrenches used to tighten screws and bolts during the construction of your boat. Trace amounts of iron are transferred from the tool to the head of the bolt or the nut, or the chromium oxide layer is ruptured from the torque, and that starts the rusting process.

In addition to being unsightly, if left untreated, the stainless steel fitting, bolt, chain or other part can fail and break with considerable negative consequence.

In addition to cleaning your stainless steel, and removing the rust, it's also important to make the stainless passive again by restoring the chromium oxide layer. In addition to removing the rust and deep cleaning the metal, QUICK SILVER^® also recreates the chromium oxide layer to re-passivate the surface. This will keep your stainless steel shiny and rust free, at least until it's attacked by another bout of oxygen deprivation by salt or rust initiation by iron, etc.

The good news is that now you can add considerablelong term protection by sealing your stainless steel with STAINLESS SHIELD^®. Salt and pollutants can't penetrate it. It can last a whole year or longer.

How to Prevent Stainless Steel from Rusting

1. Stainless Steel must be clean, dry and free from rust, stains, oil or other pollutants. Wash all surfaces with BOAT CLEAN PLUS^®, a free rinsing, water based cleaner degreaser, to remove all surface contaminants and pollutants. If the Stainless Steel is rusty or stained, clean first with QUICK SILVER^® One Step, Stainless Steel Cleaner. Rust Remover and Passivator.
2. Wipe on 2 or 3 coats of STAINLESS SHIELD^® with a lint free cloth pad, such as an old T Shirt folded into a pad. Allow each coat to dry before applying the next (approximately 30 minutes).
3. Allow to cure a minimum of 48 hours before use.
4. For added protection against scuffing and to make salt removal easier, apply 2 coats of VS721™ after STAINLESS SHIELD^® is fully cured. Salt can’t stick to VS721™. To clean salt from your protected Stainless Steel, simply rinse clean with fresh water. No washing or scrubbing required.

STAINLESS SHIELD^® displays excellent performance as a direct to metal finish for Stainless Steel, with excellent adhesion and water resistance. It dries to a clear, glossy, hard and durable finish. It’s environment friendly, water based, very low VOC’s and does not contain any hazardous or toxic ingredients so it’s safe to use. No primer or special preparation is required.

AURORA BOAT CARE PRODUCTS are designed to be compatible with each other. By using the “System Matched” products, you can be assured of guaranteed results every time. No more guessing. No more botched jobs. No more making do with inferior products. Just perfect, professional, results every time. We don’t just sell products, we sell Boat Care Solutions.

STAINLESS SHIELD^® is not another, temporary, oil based protectant but a durable clear, polymeric coating that will Shield your Stainless Steel against harsh environmental attack, corrosion and pitting for years. No more rusting. Just, easy to maintain, bright, shiny Stainless Steel. Isn’t that what you’ve always wanted?

STAINLESS SHIELD^® uses the latest water based technology to make their product very low in VOC’s, non-toxic, non-carcinogenic, non-flammable and without obnoxious fumes. It’s a Green Product: Environment Friendly, Human Friendly, Boat Friendly. Yet, when dried and cured, it’s a very tough and durable clear coating that will ensure that your Stainless Steel will keep its beautiful appearance for years.

This clear, glossy coating was formulated especially for protecting Stainless Steel. It has excellent adhesion properties, gives an even film build up without an oily or greasy residue and no buffing or polishing is required after application. This means less work a beautiful long lasting gloss finish that will not attract dust, dirt or even fingerprints. It’s easy to apply. Just wipe on and let it dry and cure.

STAINLESS SHIELD^®, especially when over coated with VS721™, is resistant to mild acids and alkaline, hard water spots, salt adhesion, finger prints, bird droppings and most cleaners. It bonds direct to metal with no primers or special preparation required (except to insure that the surface is clean, dry and free from rust, prior to application).

This protective coating is durable and long lasting and will give you more time to enjoy your boat instead of cleaning it. STAINLESS SHIELD^® is a clear, water based polymeric coating formulated especially for Stainless Steel.

Understanding Stainless Steel is a bit confusing. Most people wonder why it rusts, pits and stains when it’s supposed to be stainless. In fact, there are many grades of Stainless Steel, each alloy designed for a specific purpose. They are blends of mild steel with various concentrations of chromium, nickel, molybdenum and other ingredients that effect its strength, workability, weld ability, ability to resist (but not entirely eliminate) corrosion, etc. Marine grade typically refers to 304 and 316 grades, but there are other variations, with 316 variations being the most resistant to salt water and chemical attack.

The way that Stainless Steel works is that it forms a microscopic layer of chromium oxide on the surface that is highly resistant to corrosion; its Passive State. It requires a constant state of interaction with oxygen in the air or flowing water to maintain this chromium oxide layer. If this oxygen interaction is disrupted by abrasion, or inhibited by the presence of stagnant water where the oxygen is depleted or deposition of chlorides from salt water or salt air, preventing the oxidation process to continue, the passive Stainless Steel layer reverts back to its Active State, similar to that of mild steel. It then begins to corrode or rust all over again.

Another common factor that affects the performance of Stainless Steel is mild steel or iron contamination. Even minor traces of steel or iron on the surface can act as an initiator or seed for rust to begin developing. Once started, it deprives the natural oxidation process, and it can spread rapidly and burrow deep into the metal to create corrosive pits and crevices. This can occur from abrasion contact with a piece of steel or even the use of steel bit screwdrivers, sockets or wrenches used to tighten screws and bolts during the construction of your boat. Trace amounts of iron are transferred from the tool to the head of the bolt or the nut, or the chromium oxide layer is ruptured from the torque, and that starts the rusting process. Rusty, stained Stainless Steel is unsightly and if left untreated, the bolt, chain or other part can fail and break with considerable negative consequence.

Cleaning your Stainless Steel, and removing the rust is only doing one half the job. It’s also important to make the stainless passive again by restoring the chromium oxide layer. In addition to removing the rust and deep cleaning the metal, QUICK SILVER^® also recreates the chromium oxide layer to re-passivate the surface. This will keep your Stainless Steel shiny and rust free, at least until it’s attacked by another bout of oxygen deprivation by salt or rust initiation by iron, etc.

The good news is that now you can add considerable long term protection by sealing your Stainless Steel with STAINLESS SHIELD^®. Salt and pollutants can’t penetrate it. It can last a whole year or longer.