Help please with surface rust.

[Tropo-Bob]

I have a few items that have weathered somewhat under previous ownerships.

The heads of the screws are rusted but the screws are other wise ok. How can I treat this and/or prevent further degradation?

[doug mc]

Replace them with stainless ones.

[AstroJunk]

Phosphoric Acid will rid you of the rust, can be bought cheaply from hydroponics/aquaponics/pet stores as a product called PH down as it is a fish friendly product for water treatment in aquariums. I believe that it is the active ingredient in CLR for the R part!

It is a strong acid, so be careful. https://www.hy-gennutrients.com/product/ph-down/

[Startrek]

Don’t stuff around with cleaning rust off screws and bolts etc.., as the rust will return.
Replace with grade 316 stainless ( not grade 304 ) Permanent Solution !!

My cover screws on the EQ6-R mount rusted after 2 years of being permanently outdoors with just a cover. Replaced them 2 years ago with grade 316 stainless steel and they still look brand new.

Strangely enough all the other fixing hardware on the mount are still in fair to good condition.
I do externally lubricate my mount every 6 months with silicon spray which does protect it.

Martin