Tarnished Portholes

[idratherbeboating]

I'm having bad luck with the brass rings around my portholes in my 2018 RT29... they went from shiny to streaky and some are now pitting and going green... I'm worried it is a reaction to how they were cleaned or polished or mis-managed (ack!)???

I have set one aside as a guinea pig and have been experimenting with different polishes and haven't yet found anything that gets things back to 'normal'.

Curious if other folks had this problem and what they did? Or what are you doing to avoid this problem?

 

[bob daily]

Never Dull Metal Polish, and a ample amount of elbow grease! I just thank GOD my favorite color is green! Bob

 

[TylerFromEverett]

I think it’s best to let it patina. It looks cool! It’s not worth the maintenance upkeep in my opinion.

 

[Catch22]

Looks like someone may have done a clear coat of lacquer or plastic that might be breaking down and allowing spot corrosion...my go to is also Never Dull cotton wadding and elbow grease....

 

[bob daily]

If someone put varnish or lacquer on your port holes you will have to remove it prior to using never dull, the easiest would be with a paint remover. Just be sure to protect the area around it or remove to work on them. I had a 22 year career as a brass polisher for the US government. Bob

 

[Captain Nice]

Evening Austin. While you're at it, flat head brass screws are what was intended for those countersunk holes, and look much better IMHO.

CN

 

[Orcasdad]

Personally I like Flitz polish. Again if they have a coating that’s breaking down that will have to go first.

 

[doke01]

mix salt, white vinegar, and flour into a paste. Spread on the porthole. Wait for an hour or so and wipe off. This has been much more effective and less labor-intensive than any other process I have tried. You can still hit it with polish at the end to give that extra shine, then wipe it down with vegetable oil to prevent or reduce future tarnish.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8jy0jCtt3sg

You can also take them off if you are inclined and soak them in a bath of vinegar and salt for an hour or two, but that is more for someone who is handy.

You can see the results in below. The porthole in the picture below was tarnished black prior to using this method.

 

[Wildcats]

Our portholes on our R31 leak (they are the bronze ones). The gaskets are deteriorating. Any idea where Ranger Tugs sourced these so I can buy new gaskets?

 

[fishheadbarandgrill]

Your portholes look like they're anodized and the the coating is starting to breakdown.

 

[idratherbeboating]

Evening Austin. While you're at it, flat head brass screws are what was intended for those countersunk holes, and look much better IMHO.

CN

I agree, the stainless screws look out of place... but I don't think it's a retrofit so I'm guessing that's how the factory is doing it. Do other folks have the same setup?