Cleaning bolt snaps

[HungoverDiver]

I've bought several SS bolt snaps from LDS, and all of them seem to have rusted/corroded over a couple saltwater dives? I soak everything in fresh water after my dives, but nevertheless they seem to be covered in white corrosion and have become pretty much inoperable. I can pry open the snap with my fingernails, but otherwise they seem jammed shut.


Is there anyway I can fix these guys or just buy new. I thought SS was better than brass? Or was I misled?

 

[undrwater]

Probably a mix or poor quality stainless. Return them for replacement.

 

[Dr. Lecter]

A drop or two of gun oil into the snap mechanism, then giving it a few snaps open/shut, does wonders for mine...usually lasts a couple months before I notice they're less silky than I like and I have to hit them again. Still, this sounds like you need better quality snaps, too.

 

[Jim Lapenta]

If they are corroding like that with a white powdery finish after rinsing and drying you may not have stainless snaps. What you may have are plated ones. Is your LDS a tech diver oriented or tech friendly shop? We (tech oriented shops) tend to only sell good high quality snaps with stainless steel springs that don't corrode like that. I made the mistake of buying snaps that I thought were SS at Home Depot and Lowes early on in my diving career. Found out they were crap and actually more expensive than the good ones. I have been getting the ones I sell from the same supplier for the last several years. Never had anyone complain of what you are describing.
They sound like junk. I'd try to take them back.

 

[HungoverDiver]

If they are corroding like that with a white powdery finish after rinsing and drying you may not have stainless snaps. What you may have are plated ones. Is your LDS a tech diver oriented or tech friendly shop? We (tech oriented shops) tend to only sell good high quality snaps with stainless steel springs that don't corrode like that. I made the mistake of buying snaps that I thought were SS at Home Depot and Lowes early on in my diving career. Found out they were crap and actually more expensive than the good ones. I have been getting the ones I sell from the same supplier for the last several years. Never had anyone complain of what you are describing.
They sound like junk. I'd try to take them back.

That's exactly what has happened. They are not a tech oriented shop. They acquired a huge selection of snaps recently (wholesale from somewhere) so I wouldn't be surprised that they were SS plated and not truly SS. Bummer.

 

[Jim Lapenta]

Heck might even be a hardware store that sold out or seconds that someone else rejected. How much did you pay and what size are they out of curiosity. Because now you're going to pay double to get good ones unless they refund your money.

 

[HungoverDiver]

2.5" snaps. I pretty sure I paid $2.50/snap and I bought 4, so only $10 lost.

I'll take them back, but I'm not even sure the shop has anything better to offer in terms of snap.

 

[Jim Lapenta]

That's why there's the internet. I have a shipment coming in this week in various sizes.
And yeah, 2.50 each. Those ain't stainless.

 

[eponym]

Jim's right, the corrosion's a dead giveaway.

Also, some "stainless" snaps have stainless bodies but ferrous (rustable) springs. Expect to pay (if you're paying retail) $10 for a truly stainless double-ender.

I have three or four which have been with me for years and they have never locked up (touches wood).

 

[lemke]

I get my snaps here: Premium Stainless Steel Snaps - Dive Gear Express

Prices are very reasonable, and service is EXCELLENT!