Member - Duncs replied:

Not that I have an answer to this question but I do have a related question. Often poles in this condition are stuck and wont easily extend. I have one I can't budge.

What do people use to get them moving again?? (Sorry Jon Hope I don't steel your post.)

Duncs

MartyB replied:

I'll answer both questions in one word.

Inox.

Wonderful stuff.

from Marty.

brett replied:

I've only had that happen when put away wet, if kept dry mine are ok. If you don't use them for a while maybe a squirt of wd40 on the inner one

geocacher (djcache) replied:

I've moved away from the gal metal ones.

Found the telescopic three piece aluminium ones from Ray's.

Bit dearer but not if they are on the big sale days.

HEAPS lighter and fantastic to use. Just twist to lock. No little grub screws hanging out the side, have a loop on top to hang the Versalite on, bottom caps don't fall off like the metal ones.

They are fantastic.

Dave

Member - Crazy Dog (QLD) replied:

Inox is a spray can prep a bit like WD40. Most Hardware stores stock it.....

David from Engine Saver Low Water Alarms replied:

Just like the bloke with the rusty tent pegs, the simple answer is a can of spray silicone.

This stuff lubricates, protects & hangs around for a long time and doesn'f evaporate like wd40 & the like.

If the silicone gets on the tent canvas - good it is a waterproofer as well.

dags666 replied:

just a thought been going beach camping for years when we get home pull them apart give them a hit with the hose or pressure cleaner a wipe and let them dry later I give them both inner and outer a hit with wd 40 and store them. Had the same set of poles for 12 years never have any problems. just a hint as you get older and need poles get the ones with the tightening screw in the middle so you don’t have to bend down to adjust them dags

Flash replied:

I use aluminium poles- fraction dearer when you buy but no rust and a heck of a lot lighter. Most campshops sell them....
Of course though that won't help you if you have already bought steel.
try Lanotec spray- it's brilliant but WILL leave a bit of a sticky film.
Certainly though wash any salt off them and put them away when very dry.
Cheers

Darian (formerly Banjo) replied:

Silicon spray would be my pick - anything that stays wet (like oil based products) will attract dust - re silicon - there are cheap cans and pro cans - the pro cans are around $15 and seem a much cleaner product (used by technicians etc - sometimes specified for electrical work I think) - the cheapies stink a bit and seem to have something else in there. I'd try the cheapies for something like poles, seeing they get knocked about. I take the pro stuff with me and give the zips on the canvas a squirt if they get sticky.

Mal58 replied:

Hi,
The white powder on the galvanised poles is sometimes called white rust. It shows that the galvanising is protecting the metal underneath.

As several have suggested, use, keeps the white off. However, for those of us that don't get to go camping as often as we'd like, other alternatives are required.

Some years ago, I accidently packed up some of my poles wet and when I went to use them they were white.

I cleaned the white off with a "soft" scouring pad. I then wiped them over with wax based car polish.

I "repolish" them every now and again and this seems to work for me.

Cheers,
Mal

Member - t0me (WA) replied:

Hey that sounds like the same sort of stuff you get on batteries (ionisation corrosion?) anyway what about a bit of bi-carb and water?
Once its clean that silicon spray would be excellent. I used to use it on my bike, and for the first dozen or so miles you had to watch it when braking that you didn't slide off the bike! brilliant stuff.