Shallowminded6 Posted March 7, 2020 Report Share Posted March 7, 2020 So, I am replacing my splashwell cap. I am trying to figure out the best way to keep the freshly powder coated surface from getting messed up from installing the screws and keeping it from starting electrolisis. I understand it is an up hill battle I will lose eventually. Just trying to extend the life as long as possible since it is a PIA to replace. So far, I have come up with plasti dipping screw heads. The metal is countersunk (powdercoated), and the screws are #10-#12 countersunk stainless screws. So I didnt think washers would work? Any suggestions?? Am I looking too far into this and just install and forget about it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smilemaker Posted March 7, 2020 Report Share Posted March 7, 2020 One thing we are all guilty of is using a screwgun for everything. Predrill a pilot hole and use a hand screwdriver to place the screw. You will get a feel for tightness and less chance of cracking the paint. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnd Posted March 8, 2020 Report Share Posted March 8, 2020 plastic washer. slide on the screw and then install. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
geeviam Posted March 8, 2020 Report Share Posted March 8, 2020 22 hours ago, Shallowminded6 said: So, I am replacing my splashwell cap. I am trying to figure out the best way to keep the freshly powder coated surface from getting messed up from installing the screws and keeping it from starting electrolisis. I understand it is an up hill battle I will lose eventually. Just trying to extend the life as long as possible since it is a PIA to replace. So far, I have come up with plasti dipping screw heads. The metal is countersunk (powdercoated), and the screws are #10-#12 countersunk stainless screws. So I didnt think washers would work? Any suggestions?? Am I looking too far into this and just install and forget about it? I guess you could connect one of the stainless screws on the surface of the aluminum structure to the sacrificial zinc anode on your outboard motor, with a thin braided stainless cable. In theory, that would protect against galvanic corrosion between the aluminum and stainless. However, it would also ground your aluminum structure with connection to the water, so I wouldn't advise holding on to it in a lightning storm. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shallowminded6 Posted March 8, 2020 Author Report Share Posted March 8, 2020 51 minutes ago, geeviam said: I guess you could connect one of the stainless screws on the surface of the aluminum structure to the sacrificial zinc anode on your outboard motor, with a thin braided stainless cable. In theory, that would protect against galvanic corrosion between the aluminum and stainless. However, it would also ground your aluminum structure with connection to the water, so I wouldn't advise holding on to it in a lightning storm. Would you have to do a ground wire to each screw? Or would it transfer thru alluminum to the small cable? Cant use flat washer as it is countersunk. Plastic ones just break when tightened. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
geeviam Posted March 8, 2020 Report Share Posted March 8, 2020 1 hour ago, Shallowminded6 said: Would you have to do a ground wire to each screw? Or would it transfer thru alluminum to the small cable? Cant use flat washer as it is countersunk. Plastic ones just break when tightened. Just one screw on the structure near the motor, to make a connection for the current to flow to the zinc anode. The wire should have metal-to-metal contact with the embedded stainless screw - not strapped to powdercoat, since the powdercoat is an insulator. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SouthernWake Posted March 9, 2020 Report Share Posted March 9, 2020 Plastic or rubber washer. Or take tour time and be careful Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
imsnookyrd Posted March 9, 2020 Report Share Posted March 9, 2020 Fill the hole with silicon and tighten screw until it just starts to squeeze out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JakeK Posted March 10, 2020 Report Share Posted March 10, 2020 On 3/8/2020 at 8:22 AM, geeviam said: I guess you could connect one of the stainless screws on the surface of the aluminum structure to the sacrificial zinc anode on your outboard motor, with a thin braided stainless cable. In theory, that would protect against galvanic corrosion between the aluminum and stainless. However, it would also ground your aluminum structure with connection to the water, so I wouldn't advise holding on to it in a lightning storm. so fun dichotomy...some sailors swear by clipping a wire to their rigging and dragging it in the water during a lightning storm to divert the lightning overboard instead of through their boat...go figure. I'm guessing that not enough people survive those lightning strikes to tell us which way is better. ;-). 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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