Letter 25032

Autobody metal rebuilding methods for rust problems [Canada] 

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I have recently become interested in automobile restoration and the problems we have with RUST. It seems to me that we should have available technology to solve this problem. Yet when I ask the professionals I find that most seem to be not up to speed in this area... either that or I'm chasing phantoms.

So... We have ion deposition systems, both hot and cold, vacuum deposition systems and electroplating systems. My questions boils down to a simple one: Is there a practical metal rebuilding system that can effectively rebuild rusty autobody panels? Perhaps a flame based ion deposition system? Perhaps an electroplating system? Perhaps a solvent based system? It just seems to me that there should be some safe and simple way to splatter new metal ions onto an old metal surface... And if we can move the metal about - what metal should we use? Zinc? Aluminum? Nickel? Copper? Maybe one ideal system would be to turn the metal into a plasma and hook an electric gradient between the source and the destination of say a few 1000 volts so we get good impact speeds and use a relatively low influx of ions and a little computer controlled robot that can sit there for a few hours until the job is done. haha. Terrell Larson Computer Systems Development - Calgary, Alberta, Canada

Truck: On rebuilding a Worn-Out Pickup, and Other Post-Technological Adventures by John Jerome (155 pages) avail. from Amazon

Consider brush electroplating of iron. Relatively easy, low cost chemicals and equipment, low chemical hazard, and the electroplated iron is far more resistant to rusting than the original steel. Rather slow at room temperature, but maybe that's OK for carefully filling ground out areas.

Ken Vlach - Goleta, California

Someone told me there was a product called rustodian that you can paint on to rusted steel and it will become solid...... Is this true?

C Newman
- Singapore

I've never heard of "rustodian", C, but "liquid steel" (which seems to be a mix of powdered steel in epoxy) has been around for decades.

 
Ted Mooney, P.E.
finishing.com Inc. - Brick, NJ

I want to answer or follow-up on this subject publicly (in non-commercial fashion).

 

My company is a supporting advertiser at finishing.com and we want the contact information to reach the inquirer privately.

 

I want to post a new question or inquiry of my own on a different subject.