Guardrail Removal

mickp

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I want to move two of my guardrails aft by 1 Ft. They are aluminium and bolted to the aluminium toerail with stainless bolts, I cant move the bolts not even with an impact screwdriver, any tricks ?
 

hlb

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An angle grinder will shift most things. I suppose youve tried the wd40 or whatever.

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DavidP

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Hiya
Providing their is nothing that will burn or melt near the bolts in question ,you could try some heat on the bolts using a gas flame ,BUT dont try this unless you know what you are doing get someone whoe does , most bolts can be undone this way.

Take great care
Dave.
 

charles_reed

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rather than using a flame, use a hot-air gun (they're used for melting paint).

The problem is the build up of aluminium hydroxide and your most probable solution will be to shear the bolts off and then drill them out.

The heat can occasional dehydrate the aluminium hydroxide and allow sufficient clearance for the bolts to turn.
 

DanTribe

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I had the exact same problem last year. I tried all the suggestions above but finished up with the angle grinder "final solution" after several weeks!
Next question, how can I remove all these little rust spots on my decks?
Dan
 

clyst

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If you're serious about the rust spots after grinding SS oxalic acid solution will remove them. Another great tip offered by clyst!!!!

Cheers all
 

JamesS

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I had the same problem last year - alluminium guard rails bolted to ally toe rail with SS bolts.

Bolts sheared, the only way to remove the bolts which were to all intents and purposes welded in place was to drill them out.

Cheers
 

maxi

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Lots of boiling water - no need for a midwife. Apply a good stream of boiling water immediately before introducing the impact driver.
 

Peter_H

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Just try washing with a cleaner containing acetic acid first - last year we were mooored next to a steel boat with work being done on it. Filings drifted across in the wind and were unseen until little spots of orange appeared down one side deck. scrubbing with a deck cleaner containing acetic acid eventually got them off.
 
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