Rusty Stainless Steel Sink

Basil48192

I have a new 2021 TAB 320S with a stainless steel sink...I think.  I've had it for a month or so and used the sink periodically without a problem.  However the other night (in my driveway) I ran some water through the sink from my fresh water tank.  I had filled the tank a few weeks ago with filtered water from my house.  Today, after the TAB had been closed up for a few days, I went inside to see rust stains all over the sink.  Some areas were quite deep and starting to pit!  I know that some lower grade and martensitic stainless steels will rust....but I was really suprised to see this.  Has anyone had a similar issue?  I read on line that I might need to get an iron filter for my water source, but I've never had significant rust stains anywhere else.  Any help would be appreciated.  

Sharon_is_SAM

Not sure about the rust, but I would probably not leave water sitting in the fresh water tank.  

VictoriaP

Agree with Sharon_is_SAM, water left in the tank a few weeks will form bacteria that rapidly becomes stinky and potentially damaging to your health. (Legionella grows very well in RV tanks.) Never let it sit for more than a few days unused, best to dump and start over when it’s time for your next trip.

Given the cost of those stainless steel RV sinks and how common they are used across the industry, this is somewhat surprising to me. I’ve certainly never seen it mentioned with any of the previous models that have steel sinks. I would probably contact the dealer.

Basil48192

Thank you.  I cleaned it and applied a coat of wax.  I'll keep an eye on it.  Thanks for the tip about the fresh-water...I never really thought about that....first RV!

VictoriaP

Basil48192 said:

Thank you.  I cleaned it and applied a coat of wax.  I'll keep an eye on it.  Thanks for the tip about the fresh-water...I never really thought about that....first RV!

The wax is a good idea, but still, please report it to your dealer. Could be a one-off issue, or could be the first incident of a widespread problem that affects others with the same model.

On the fresh water thing: at this point, given that you left it for a few weeks, you’ll want to sanitize that tank before using. NuCamp is recommending 1/2 cup bleach mixed with one gallon of water, then fill the tank with clean water and let it sit a time before draining again. Instructions for the 2021 are here: https://tab-rv.vanillacommunity.com/discussion/10932/sanitizing-de-winterize-2021-t-b-320s

Plan to sanitize at a minimum first thing after dewinterizing, and every time you leave the tank sitting with water for too long after a trip. Some people do it more frequently, some just once a season. Even if you don’t drink your tanked water, bacteria in it can aerosolize with sink or shower use, and therefore can be inhaled...a good reason to keep your water system clean!

Basil48192

Will do.  Thank you.

dragonsdofly

@Basil48192, although we have an older model (before the 320 designation) here's what we do for fresh tank management. On the final leg home of your trip, open the low point fresh water tank drain. I know you have the nautilus water management system, but you should still have a low point drain. The normal bouncing as you travel jiggles out almost every bit of water, so there is not much left to host bacterial growth. We keep that drain open until our next trip, when we close it and fill the tank again. The tiny amount of air circulation helps to dry and keep stuff from growing in the system. However, you must fit your fresh water management to your region of the country and to the insect/vermin population and climate. If your area has mud wasps or other such critters, close your drain. In general, we don't have many such critters and this procedure works well. Good luck, adapt and survive, and most of all, Happy T@bbing!

Basil48192

Thank you for the comments!  I sanitized yesterday and will definitely drain after every trip.

Sharon_is_SAM

@Basil48192 - one more thought - make sure you empty the Alde water tank also.  

Dutch061

You also have to remember that rust can form on ANY type of stainless steel depending on how it was machined, or finished. ALL, I repeat ALL of the tooling used for machining is made of tool steel or carbide which will rust. In the machining process there are parts of the tooling that end up embedded in the stainless.

Basil48192

@Sharon_is_SAM:  Thanks again...I didn't realize there was a separate drain for the Alde...just found it.  So you drain that after every use as well?  Love the camper...the on-line manual could use a few extra chapters!
@Dutch061:  Thank you.  I understand the carbon contamination issue as well.  It's just strange that it didn't show up until now.

Sharon_is_SAM

Just like the fresh water tank, it is best practice to drain the water from your Alde tank in between camping trips.  It’s not just because of the potential for bacterial growth - the Alde needs an air cushion.  See Alde 3020 manual quote below.

• AIR CUSHION

The hydronic heating system is designed to have an air space, called an air cushion, at the top of the tank. This air cushion is essential for absorbing pressure surges in the hydronic heating system. Always renew the air cushion in the hydronic heating system after 10 days of use.

This can be done by opening the safety/drain valve on the hydronic heating system for a few seconds.

The air cushion allows expansion to take place and helps protect the hydronic heating system against pressure surges from the water pump.

 NOTICE

To maintain the air cushion, the hot water tank should be emptied approximately once a week to help ensure that a new air cushion is formed in the hydronic heating system.

XenanMe

@Basil48192 Did you use a spray cleaner in the sink that might have caused this?  I mention it because I had something similar (but not identical) happen to me. My Tab sink isn’t stainless steel (grey plastic material) and I used an orange coloured household spray cleaner on it and the stove.  I wiped it off but when I checked the trailer the following week there were rust coloured spots in the sink and on the edges of the stove.  I don’t know why it happened (and I can’t seem to get rid of them now) but ever since I only use mild clear spray cleaners.

Basil48192

@XenanMe I don't thing I did....trying to recall.  I think I cleaned it with a household cleaner (Lysol) mixed with water.  Though I did just recently replace the stove-top glass cover so I may have gotten some 'Goo Gone' residue on the sink when I was cleaning off the old caulk.  Thanks for the tip!

NJ_Dave

We have a new 2021 TAB 320S with a stainless steel sink ... showing rust spots as well. 

Denny16

You can get a great stainless steel cleaner, called Barkeepers Friend.  This stuff works great to keep stainless clean, and should remove the rust spots too.
cheers

Basil48192

Mine has been fine since that orignal issue when it was new.  Maybe some residual chemicals or cleaners from the plumbing components?  

jkjenn

Denny16 said:

You can get a great stainless steel cleaner, called Barkeepers Friend.  This stuff works great to keep stainless clean, and should remove the rust spots too.
cheers

+1 for Barkeepers Friend 

ChrisFix

+2 for Barkeepers Friend
After a trip to the west Texas desert where the water was extremely hard and left mineral deposits on everything it touched, a quick scrub with Barkeepers had the sink back to looking new.
In case this is of interest to anyone, I had my sink out this past weekend to change out the faucet, and was surprised to see that the sink is manufactured in Italy!

Basil48192

My sink cleaned up pretty well....I was just concerned it might be an ongoing problem.  Again, I haven't had any problems since the original issue.  Maybe NuCamp should send me to Italy to investigate...I'd be happy to sacrifice my time for the good of the forum!

Sharon_is_SAM

Sorry @Basil48192.  I am first in line for the nuCamp sponsored trip to Italy😉

Horigan

One thing I learned when you're sanitizing your system with bleach; you need to really rinse the system and the sink of the residual chlorine, which is corrosive to stainless steel.  I had some rust on my aftermarket larger sink after sanitizing when I didn't rinse out the entire sink as well as I could have.

Denny16

Good point, about rinsing out the sink carefully after running a bleach solution in it.  I used a plastic pail to catch to flush out solution, then ran plenty of fresh water through the pipes whilst connected to shore water.
cheers

AnOldUR

Denny16 said:

You can get a great stainless steel cleaner, called Barkeepers Friend......

While on the topic of brewing supplies and sanitizing, anyone know if Star San can be used to sanitize the fresh water tank between outings? I sent FiveStar an email to find out, but thought someone here may know. If not, I'll report back if I hear from them.

MikeWright01

I found my stainless steel sink in my T@B 320S also has some small rust spots. so its not a one of.

Da_Birds

Our dealer warned us that the sink could rust if water was allowed to sit in it. Since you should also make sure the fridge is dry when not being used, I just wipe out the sink at the same time.

You can try removing the stains with a scotchbrite pad

Michigan_Mike

Just a heads up or as an FYI on the Scotch style pads, the green colored pads are an abrasive pad and will scratch surfaces.  The blue pads are non-abrasive and you can use them on most surfaces.  I buy the blue pads and use them on our glass top stove (along with the white glass cream style cleaner) to remove baked on spots and splatters.  I follow up with some Windex and it looks brand new.  

Clean cooktop, happy wife!  😀👍🏻

ScottG

AnOldUR said:

While on the topic of brewing supplies and sanitizing, anyone know if Star San can be used to sanitize the fresh water tank between outings? I sent FiveStar an email to find out, but thought someone here may know. If not, I'll report back if I hear from them.

@AnOldUR, did you ever hear back from FiveStar? I recall this question coming up previously--it may have even been me that raised it.

I would think StarSan would be a perfectly good sanitizer--and no rinse at that. The problem may be that you would have to use A LOT to completely fill the system in order to cover every surface. Unlike your fermentors, you can't just spray or swish a little around and call it good.  

AnOldUR

ScottG said:

... did you ever hear back from FiveStar? ...

No, never heard back. Maybe got lost. I'll give it another try.

A sanitizing plan may be to add a few gallons of properly diluted Star San to an empty fresh water tank and run water through all the plumbing before leaving for a campsite with water hookup. Then you could let the remaining water in the tank slosh around while driving, drain and refill when you get to your destination.

Mobean

I am not understanding the comments above.  We have a 1 year old 2021 TAB 320S with multiple small rust spots on the kitchen sink outer rim seen for the first time this past month.  It's a sink...supposed to be exposed to water and cleaners. I do not have rust or pitting issues on any of my house stainless steel sinks.  I don't think it is reasonable to see rust within a years time.  Has anyone reached out to dealer/NuCamp?  
 

Denny16

Have you used steel wool are any similar pot scrubber around your sink?  The rust spots look like a reaction with some sort of particle or contaminate.  I keep our TaB sink wiped out with a damp towel, and have not had any issues here on the coast, where anything metal will rust.
 Cheers