Electronic Rust proofing

[Richard Auger]

Anybody out here ever try a electronic rust proofing gadget ?????

[z]

I had one for a few years on my previous car. Note that a major factor
in installing the thing was that it was pretty cheap at the time, like
475 or under. they kept sending me free upgrades, too. the car lasted
pretty well, but I looked after it so I can't credit the electronic
gadget. where it did rust was in a weird place, when I pulled the back
seat out I could see a big scaly rust patch on either side on the
curved part of the rear wheel wells. ??? Anyway, now you're going to
get a big debate on this item from everyone.

In article <bvb44.997$221....@weber.videotron.net>, "Richard Auger"

<rau...@clogicinfo.qc.ca> wrote:
> Anybody out here ever try a electronic rust proofing gadget ?????

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[Kevin McMurtrie]

In article <bvb44.997$221....@weber.videotron.net>, "Richard Auger"
<rau...@clogicinfo.qc.ca> wrote:

>Anybody out here ever try a electronic rust proofing gadget ?????

It's pointless unless you plan on keeping your car under water. A few
electrodes can protect a large submerged area but they're no good in air.

The correct way to protect rustable metal above water is to coat it with
either a sealant or a metal which will generate a negative electric
current relative to the metal beneath it.

Zinc is a common protectant because it's cheap, it's easy to apply, and it
generates an electric field in the right direction for most metals. If
you scratch zinc coated steel with moisture present, it creates a
battery. The exposed steel gets a slight negative charge from the zinc
and the zinc gets a slight positive charge from the steel. This causes
the zinc to electroplate itself over the scratch. The coating is self
repairing.

If you were to use a gold or copper coating, you'd get the opposite
effect. The current would be reversed and the steel would electroplate
itself over the coating. It would be self-destroying. You'll see the new
pennies do this when damaged because they're copper over zinc.

[Calvino Ka-wing Cheng]

I absolutely agree. Although I've only had my car for a year and
a bit, here are some tips to try to keep the rust bug from
biting.

1. Keep it clean! Spray the wheel wells at a coin wash once
every 3 weeks or so.
2. park it outside, and not in a heated garage, to prevent the
salt from solubilising upon the snow melting.
3. repair all the little chips after you give it one good wash
every month - body and wheel wells
4. don't upgrade your car - keep it stock. When you weld
mufflers, add spoilers, etc... you are drilling into your car or
welding a different metal on your car. Once different metals
touch, and if there is conduction facilitated by salt and water -
a nidus of rust forms. It certainly depends on which metals, but
as a general rule (instead of having to look it up in a chemistry
oxidation table), differing metals should never be put together.

Enjoy!

Calvino

****************************
Calvino Cheng, University of Calgary
http://www.alladvantage.com/go.asp?refid=HCW929