Conditioning bronze parts

Anything related to the operation of your boat. Steering, Bilge Pumps, thru-hulls, bottom paint, etc.
Post Reply
User avatar
Dad Joke
Scurvy Dog
Scurvy Dog
Posts: 31
Joined: March 19th, 2021, 4:49 am
Vessel Info: None yet
Location: Bowie, MD
Been thanked: 3 times

Conditioning bronze parts

Post by Dad Joke »

. . . or something like that. I'm replacing my rudder ports. I need to ensure that the packing nut and jam nut do
not seize to each other and to the port, becoming one big useless lump, as they had previously. Should I apply
dielectric grease to the threads and contact surfaces between the nuts? Anti-seize? Basic bearing grease?
Also, I plan to slack the locking nut and re-grease periodically going forward. How often? Monthly? Annually?
Thanks.
User avatar
km1125
Admiral
Admiral
Posts: 3657
Joined: February 28th, 2017, 6:04 pm
Has thanked: 81 times
Been thanked: 1114 times

Re: Conditioning bronze parts

Post by km1125 »

Dielectric grease is NOT what you want. I would not use anti-seize unless you know it's compatible, as most are metal-based. A VERY LIGHT coating of some basic axle grease would probably be fine. I would think "multiple years" as an answer to the 'how often' question. I would certainly not expect to do this monthly or annually, unless you are in a severe corrosive environment.
User avatar
bud37
Admiral
Admiral
Posts: 5182
Joined: April 23rd, 2015, 10:22 pm
Has thanked: 604 times
Been thanked: 1312 times

Re: Conditioning bronze parts

Post by bud37 »

While you are at this, maybe consider making sure your bonding system is all connected and working as it should. Some of the issues you may have encountered could have been made worse by a compromised bonding system.
FWIW.....The above is just my opinion.
Viper
CYO Supporter
CYO Supporter
Posts: 6266
Joined: July 10th, 2015, 9:58 pm
Vessel Info: 1989 Carver 3807 Aft Cabin
Location: Ontario, Canada
Has thanked: 475 times
Been thanked: 1791 times

Re: Conditioning bronze parts

Post by Viper »

User avatar
Dad Joke
Scurvy Dog
Scurvy Dog
Posts: 31
Joined: March 19th, 2021, 4:49 am
Vessel Info: None yet
Location: Bowie, MD
Been thanked: 3 times

Re: Conditioning bronze parts

Post by Dad Joke »

Thanks. Good input from all.

Yes, I'm making certain that everything that should be bonded is bonded. Even though the boat has some years on it, it has relatively low hours and is pretty much unmolested from original.

Very interesting on the Tef-Gel. I'd never heard of this product, but the reviews are outstanding, so I'm going to give it a try.
Post Reply