Boeshield T-9

Salt water is relentless and most sprays wash straight off. Boeshield T-9 does not — it flows into the joint, the solvent flashes off, and what stays behind is a thin waxy film that keeps water off the metal.

What Boeshield T-9 Is

T-9 was developed by Boeing for aircraft corrosion protection, which is the sort of provenance you cannot really argue with. It is a solvent carrier plus paraffin wax. Sprayed on, it creeps into seams, threads and cables; a few minutes later the carrier has evaporated and the wax is left behind, waterproof and clinging.

That is the important difference from an ordinary penetrating oil. A light oil displaces water and then runs off or gets washed away. The waxy film Boeshield T-9 leaves stays put through rain and immersion.

Where to Use Boeshield T-9 on a Kayak

Rudder cables and the inside of cable tubing. Pedal-drive chains and sprockets. Every stainless fastener on deck, especially where it passes through plastic. Hinges, latches, folding cart frames, trailer hitches, rod-reel seats, the springs in a scupper valve.

Also on the things that live in the truck rather than the boat — a roof-rack lock cylinder that has been through a hundred wet loadings is exactly the sort of thing that seizes in year three and would not have if it had been sprayed once a season.

How to Get the Best From It

Clean and dry the part first. T-9 protects what it lands on; it will happily seal salt underneath if you spray over a dirty cable. Give it a few minutes to set before the part goes back into service, and reapply after a hard season or a deep clean.

Details

• Boeshield T-9 corrosion protection and lubricant

• Waxy film that resists salt water and rain

• Originally developed by Boeing for aircraft

• Aerosol, in 4 oz and 12 oz

Both sizes on the shelf at our Clearwater shop. If you paddle salt, this is the cheapest maintenance you will ever do.