That “marine grade” label cracks me up—definitely not the miracle cure they make it sound like. I’ve tried zinc sprays on my outdoor hinges, and honestly, they slowed the rust a bit but didn’t stop it. Wire brush is my go-to, too. Sometimes I just give up and call it “patina.”
I get the skepticism around “marine grade”—it does feel like a marketing buzzword half the time. But I’ve actually had better luck with some of the pricier stainless hardware labeled that way, at least compared to the regular stuff from the big box stores. Maybe it’s just that anything lasts longer than the cheap zinc-plated hinges I started out with... those rusted in like six months flat.
Wire brushing is satisfying, but man, it gets old fast when you’re doing it every season. I tried one of those clear spray-on sealants last year (think it was Rust-Oleum or something similar), and while it didn’t totally stop rust, it did slow things down more than just zinc spray alone. Still, nothing’s really maintenance-free out here—guess that’s just part of living near salt air.
I do kind of like the “patina” look on some things, but not so much on door hardware that’s supposed to move smoothly. Maybe I’m just picky, but I’m still holding out hope there’s a trick I haven’t found yet.
I hear you on the “marine grade” hype—half the time it does feel like a sticker slapped on for a price bump. But honestly, I’ve had some luck with 316 stainless, especially for hinges and latches that get direct salt spray. The cheap stuff just isn’t worth the hassle or cost in the long run.
One trick I picked up from an old neighbor: a dab of Boeshield T-9 every few months on moving parts. It’s not magic, but it keeps things smoother and seems to slow down the orange fuzz. Still, nothing’s bulletproof out here... Sometimes I think about switching everything over to plastic or brass, but then I remember how ugly that can look after a few seasons too.
316 stainless is about as good as it gets for hardware near the ocean, but even that stuff will pit if you don’t keep up with maintenance. I’ve seen plenty of “marine grade” labels slapped on 304 or worse—definitely not worth the risk. Boeshield T-9 helps, but I’ve also had decent luck with CorrosionX for hinges and locks. Plastic hardware just doesn’t hold up structurally, and brass turns green fast unless you’re polishing it all the time... which nobody has time for. At the end of the day, regular rinsing and a maintenance schedule seem to be the only things that really make a difference.
At the end of the day, regular rinsing and a maintenance schedule seem to be the only things that really make a difference.
That’s been my experience too. I went with 316 for all my exterior door hardware, but even then, after our first winter by the coast, I noticed a few tiny rust spots starting up. I’m curious—how often are folks actually rinsing things down? Weekly seems like overkill, but maybe that’s what it takes. Also, has anyone tried ceramic coatings on hardware? I’ve seen them used on cars but not sure if it’d hold up on door handles and hinges.
