Red Rust on Nickel Plating over Aluminum?

Q. Hello!
We manufacture parts and just got a picture from a customer of our product with red rust:

61252-1

The part is aluminum 6061 with nickel plating. The part is installed on 304 stainless steel cabinet outside. I have sent a picture to our plating supplier, but he has no idea why this is happening. I'm throwing this question out to the experts on Finishing.com for help! Thank you!

Josh Fleagane
- Los Angeles, California
May 18, 2021

A. Hi. I've never heard of aluminum rusting, and never heard of nickel rusting. It does sound nearly impossible -- can you get this part back from the customer to insure it is actually yours, not a nickel-plated steel knockoff? If you know, what is that stuff that looks like gray wrinkle paint ⇦ on eBay or Amazon [affil link] ?

Luck & Regards,

Ted Mooney, P.E. RET
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
Ted is available for instant help
or longer-term assistance.
May 2021

A. Did he use a copper cyanide strike over the zincate? Is that the "red-ish" copper?

Robert H Probert
Robert H Probert Technical Services

Garner, North Carolina

May 22, 2021

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