If ya don't paint it, it ain't gonna last. I speak as one whose painted mahogany front porch railings are being replaced after about 20 measlyyears because (IMHO) some genius (the guy who's typing this, in case you didn't guess) designed them with vertical glue joints that let water in. In the opinion of my genius contractor, (who I told to use stainless fasteners and is using primed steel), the old railings didn't last because the owner didn't maintain the paint properly. I went out and bought stainless deck screws and left a voicemail for the contractor telling him to remove the steel. When mowing the lawn last weekend, I found one of the threaded SS rods that held the old newel post to the stair framing, after the current contractor cut it. The stainless threaded rod was good as new, but the previous contractor had used chrome plated steel nuts and washers, which had rusted all to hell and looked like dog shit on a stainless steel rod. Pick your poison, but the alternative to the best materials (and maintenance of them) is inferior materials, and inferior maintenance. Sign me, Sadder Budweiser -----Original Message----- From: MetHistory <[log in to unmask]> To: BULLAMANKA-PINHEADS <[log in to unmask]> Sent: Thu, Jul 4, 2013 5:05 pm Subject: Re: [BP] ss vs. brass in the Vineyard Paint? Paint? Varnish? Wait a minute, I put in the mahogany (about 50 batten-like things, 1 x 3 x 12 - to avoid maintenance for the next forty years. Now I have to paint these things? Or varnish them? What about my mahogany wooden deck and stairs behind the kitchen? And should I sub out all the brass screws on the porch woodwork with SS? C In a message dated 7/4/2013 4:57:01 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time, [log in to unmask] writes: Getting stainless butts may be a problem, but I'd take them if you can get them. Brass is more likely to be available, though. If you go with brass, make sure the screws and pins are also brass, rather than plated. And I'd paint the nice new mahogany brightwork; it'll last longer, and need less recoating if you keep the UV out of the wood with paint, rather than letting it through varnish (or whatever clear coat finish you're tempted to use.) Ralph. -- **Please remember to trim posts, as requested in the Terms of Service** To terminate puerile preservation prattling among pals and the uncoffee-ed, or to change your settings, go to: http://listserv.icors.org/archives/bullamanka-pinheads.html -- **Please remember to trim posts, as requested in the Terms of Service** To terminate puerile preservation prattling among pals and the uncoffee-ed, or to change your settings, go to: <http://listserv.icors.org/archives/bullamanka-pinheads.html>