I continued working on the rudder by polishing all the stainless parts with my stationary wire wheel. This really helped clean things up, and I even cleaned up the fasteners. I had removed the pintles from the rudder head and put them through the wire wheel, and what a difference.
Before...
…and after!
Realizing that doing this might corrupt the stainless oxide layer and cause them to rust, I then used Spotless Stainless Cleaner and Protector on everything to protect the stainless as much as possible. I have had good luck doing that and keeping the rust at bay ever since the rudder head rusted like crazy back in 2014.
Spotless Stainless "painted" on...
Washed and ready to go!
You can really see the marks in the upper right picture where the gentleman I had re-weld the seams went back and forth “polishing” the rudder head. The light just happened to catch it at this angle; otherwise, it’s hard to see those marks unless you’re really looking for them.
I also took the time to clean up the rudder blade itself since it was pretty stained with rust and grime underneath the rudder head cheeks. I used a scrub brush, scraper and putty knife, and I got it about as good as it’s going to get without me taking off material. Besides, no one will see it since it will be covered by the rudder cheeks, so I’m happy with the difference.
Before...
...And after!
I bought a new control line, so the final step will be to reassemble everything and hope I have extended the rudder’s life by at least a few years!