B&Q Selling Crap (again)

Its probably the original makers pulling the wool over the eys of every retailer who never boths to test the claims. I remember many moons ago when I put up aerials, the original mast clamps made for Anntiference stayed plated for years, even the screws and nuts, but at some specific time it seems the metal was slightly thinner and although they still looked like cad and pass with the rainbow reflective finish, if ever you went back in a couple of years, you found them rusted up solid. My guess is that the bean sorters decided that plating things well was too expensive so went with the cheapest quote.

I still have some of the old clamps, and although they are looking like bird toilets, they are still good 15 years on. Bah Humbug. Brian

I dunno, Brian. Perhaps the issue relates to whether something is "zinc plated" or actually *galvanised*. I wonder if there's a difference in the processes, as I've always assumed the terms meant same. Assumptions, eh? The mother of all f*ck-ups are assumptions....

I've long ago stopped using 'zinc passivated' screws outdoors, stainless steel ones are so reasonably priced now that I just use stainless everywhere. Bare wood can be quite aggressive as regards corroding screws, your 18 months doesn't seem all *that* bad IMHO.

Electroplating gives a very thin coating. Hot dip galv is much thicker. I don't know of any hot dipped screws. Oil reduces corrosion risk.

But other stuff went the other way with proper stainless steel now seen where we used to have tin plate etc in the kitchen etc.

Our irrigation system gates are now entirely stainless steel and will last vastly longer than the previous galvanised gates.

Several years ago I got a 'trade' assortment of goldscrews from SF, said to be zinc+passivation. Looked last year to replace a box or two and the recent reviews said how much worse they were. Bought Fischer instead.

I use st. st. screws where justified but I don't waste them. Recently refurbished the hinges and catch on a picket gate - new screws, clean up, took ~1.5 cm off the bottom. Had to use bigger screws (and thet the old ones out with an impact driver) and didn't want to use stainless as the gate won't out last goldscrews.