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Working on my rails, and they have a conglomeration of non-stainless screws, etc, holding them together, in addition to quite a few of the original set screws (threaded set screws with hex recess for hex wrench). Sue at Twin Cities Marine (http://www.twincitiesmarine.com) told me the source for new ones is Fred Caldwell at CMI (781) 337-0733. However, I may do a non-original fix, as Jeff has suggested, with SS rivets or something.
My question is what's the best product to prep these old ones to get them out? The brackets seem to be plated brass, and the set screws stainless. My guess is there is galvanic corrosion going on. I've tried PB Blaster and Liquid Wrench with only modest success. Had the same problem with machine screws in the motor seizing to the aluminum parts of the motor. Of course, if I go with Jeff's method, I could just drill them out.
Second question. Is a standard automotive anti-sieze compound a good idea or just wax / oil when re-installing the parts?
All of the original screws I have seen have been phillips head, self tapping, with a nylon bushing.
These are available from CMI. Here is a link to a photo in the OEM Parts Photo section:
Interesting! I felt sure that these rails were original to the boat... 1969. They certainly look old enough! That's why I'm here at WC! Thanks, Joe! (Now, if I can get these screws unstuck!!)
Not everything is written is stone....
Your screws could be original and that is why we have this site. To learn everything we can from everyone....
It is entirely possible that the early railings had different screws... I know the later models, from the mid 1970's, had the self tapping, phillips head screws with the nylon washers.
Let's wait and see what other people have to say...
Not sure what to tell you on how to remove the screws...
One little trick I know of is try and tighten it slightly, and then rock it back and forth... Tighten and loosen, tighten and loosen... Sometimes that helps after soaking it to death first though...
A good rap with a hammer might also help but of course don't mess up the railing or the screw...
I use "Aero-Kroil" for penetrating oil, it can seep into spaces as small as 2-thousanth's of an inch, I just repaired my side rails, as the seat guy (Upholsterer) is forcing me to run Late getting into the water this year but, I am fixing those little annoying things that I never get to. I had to drill out some screws for the side rails, I drilled a larger hole, measured a dowel from the HDW store, cut it to the length of the hole, used "Marine Tex" 2- part epoxy to coat the dowels, then inserted them into the holes, let them dry, then smooth it off with a dap of more marine tex, tool with mineral spirits, let them dry. I then drilled very thin pilot holes for the screw to follow into the dowel and cured marine tex, I don't know if this is the correct way to do this but, now the rails are "Rock Solid", hope this helps
So where do you get Aero Kroil? Never heard of it. By the way, I'm talking about the screws that fasten the rails to the metal standoffs and bases, not the screws that attach it to the hull.
Your repair should hold just fine. Others have used dowels gooped in epoxy resin or just thickened epoxy resin for the same repair.
