7mo ago

My local hardware store has recently changed the colour of the plating on their screws from zinc to something more golden

Now all my projects will be slightly more bling

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The goldish coating is also zinc, but derives its distinctive color from a yellow chromate, which lends thr coating additional corrosion resistance for outdoor use. Commonly seen for deck screws. IMO, yellow matches better when treated wood is new, but green looks better if the treated woods will fade with age and not be stained or painted.
- Zinc should never be used with treated wood. You use zinc for regular wood only.
  Even though the way of pressure-treating lumber has adapted, specific fasteners will still experience accelerated corrosion. Specifically, zinc and hot-dipped galvanized screws will corrode over time when used in pressure-treated lumber. However, the thickness of the zinc coating will determine how quickly corrosion will occur.
  
  For the longest time I thought pressure-treated wood meant it was treated with pressure. Only just crossed my mind that it means they use pressure to get the treatment chemicals further in the wood.
Top tier post. My guess would be those are yellow zinc plated btw. Slightly more corrosion resistant.
https://dmsfasteners.com.au/blogs/fastening-solutions-expert-tips-for-all-your-project-needs/zinc-yellow-vs-zinc-plated-whats-the-difference
I find that the heads of the new "blingy" screws shear off easily. As in, the head fully comes off leaving the shaft behind.
- This person uses an impact driver for every screw.
  
  Alternative, they are not properly using the torque selector!
  
  Yeah, my dad is too impatient to use proper settings or tools. Plus, I think he just likes the loud sound of the impact driver. But yeah, he usually either drives the screws in too far, strips them, or shears them. I try to be involved any time he is doing a project and "accidentally" bring him the "wrong tool" from what he asked for, hoping he will just use the objectively correct tool I brought instead of what he wanted. He usually does.

11 comments