Wedge White Deposits????

[lf133]

I searched around and did not see anything on the subject.

I pulled the boat out of the lake for the winter and noticed that the wedge (manual wedge) had white deposits or is corroding around the screws and where the words "WEDGE" are carved into it. Is this a problem that I need to worry about? (Could it have weakened the screws) Is there a good way to clean this up? (I was thinking wire brush) Is there a way to stop this in the future? (I was thinking I could paint it.)

Thanks

[Malibudude]

Your wedge is corroding.

Here is a recent post about it. You'll need to get it recoded in magnesium or some other material to prevent it from occuring again.

[Bake's Marine]

The white spots are corrosion, either caused by brackish water or more common in our area, electrolysis.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electrolysis

"Electrolysis involves the passage of an electric current through, in general, an ionic substance that is either molten or dissolved in a suitable solvent, resulting in chemical reactions at the electrodes"

Basically stray electrical current in the water attacking the metal on the boat. Some of my customers wedge foils are completely silver because of electrolysis ate all the finish off (wedge foil is anodized)

To stop it you can add a zinc to the boat or even install those zincs that you throw in the water and you clip the other end on your battery terminal ground. Or get a stainless steel backing plate or SS foil.

Hope this info helps

-Paul