Could the Solar Stik™ ever rust?
No… however the Solar Stik™ can corrode. Depending on the environment, one may see a slight discoloration in the metals. This is indicative of corrosion on the surface of the metal. Aluminum will oxidize (especially in a marine environment); this is how it “protects” itself. It will often first appear as a very faint, chalky, white powder… and ultimately the aluminum will assume a darker appearance as it becomes “seasoned”. The stainless components are “stain – less” and not “stain- proof”. You may find an area of faint surface rust on the stainless steel components, but this is normal. Typically, one does not need to worry about these phenomena. The physical signs of concern are pitting, galling, and cracking. Great care was taken to insulate all of the stainless and aluminum parts from one another, but where screws and bolts are used, direct contact inevitably occurs. TEF-GEL™ was used at these contact points to prevent galvanic corrosion. Regular inspection is recommended.
