I’ve had almost the exact same experience with hardware on my back steps. I went with stainless thinking it was basically maintenance-free, but after a couple of seasons, some screws started showing orange streaks anyway. Turns out, like you said, if there’s any leftover crud or even just salt in the air, it’ll find its way in. I guess “stainless” doesn’t mean “invincible.”
On anti-seize—I actually gave it a shot last year when I replaced a bunch of deck screws. I used the Permatex stuff, just a tiny dab on each one. It was messy (I kept getting it on my gloves and then smearing it everywhere), but I noticed this spring that none of those screws are frozen up or showing rust yet. Hard to say if it’s just luck or if the anti-seize is really helping, but I’m leaning toward using it again next time. It’s not expensive, so for me it’s worth the hassle, especially since I hate having to drill out stuck screws later.
About those plastic washers: I was skeptical too, but I tried them on a section of fencing that gets hammered by rain and wind. Two years later, the screws with washers still look new, while the ones without are starting to pit around the heads. It’s a little more fiddly during install—sometimes they slip around—but I think they’re worth it if you’re close to the ocean. Not sure I’d bother inland.
As for sprays, I’ve tried both Boeshield and one of those clear marine waxes. They seem to help a bit, but nothing’s perfect. The wax wore off pretty quick in the sun and rain, but the Boeshield lasted longer—maybe a year before I noticed any new spots. If you’re already up there swapping screws, might as well hit them with a spray just for peace of mind. I figure anything that buys me an extra season before redoing things is worth a few bucks.
Living near saltwater is awesome until you realize how fast it eats through everything metal... I’m always looking for ways to stretch out repairs without breaking the bank.
I get the appeal of anti-seize, but honestly, I’ve had mixed results.
—that’s been my experience too. Sometimes it seems to help, sometimes not. I actually switched to ceramic-coated screws last year and, so far, they’re holding up better than anything else I’ve tried. The coating seems to shrug off the salt a bit longer, though they cost more up front. Might be worth a shot if you’re tired of the mess and hassle.“none of those screws are frozen up or showing rust yet. Hard to say if it’s just luck or if the anti-seize is really helping”
Ceramic-coated hardware is a good call, especially with all the salt in the air. I’ve tried stainless and galvanized, but even those eventually showed rust around here. The cost stings, but if it saves you from constant replacements and cleanup, maybe it’s worth it. Ever notice if the coating chips off over time, or does it stay intact?
Yeah, ceramic coating holds up better than most, but nothing’s bulletproof with this much salt in the air. I’ve seen a few chips after banging stuff around or over-tightening, but it’s way less hassle than chasing rust streaks every season. Still, if you drop a wrench on it... well, let’s just say the ocean always finds a way.
Had a similar thing happen last month—thought the ceramic would be enough, but after hauling bundles up the ladder and setting tools down a bit too hard, I spotted a couple chips near the ridge. Noticed some orange creeping in already. It’s definitely less work than dealing with full-on rust, but yeah, nothing’s totally safe out here. Even stainless fasteners start to look rough after a season or two. The salt just doesn’t quit.