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Rate of corrosion to imports and aluminum cars

I am a part time mechanic and hobbyist. My specialty is in classic cars/muscle machines. I have an acquaintance who just purchased a Ferrari who wants to know when would be a safe time to be able to start driving his car. The car is made entirely of aluminum and I have explained to him that aluminum will rust. I need assistance in backing this statement.

Heidi Ann Stulpin
hobbyist - Rochester, New York
2004

Strictly speaking, aluminum can't rust because rust is iron oxide and there is no iron in aluminum. But, yes, aluminum can corrode just as almost any metal can corrode. I don't know the details of how Ferrari pretreats and paints their aluminum body parts, but properly prepared aluminum can be quite corrosion resistant (most outboard motors and outdrives are aluminum). I really don't understand the question about "safe time"--do you mean when the roads will be clear of salt?

Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
2004

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