Rust In A Static State ?

[Peter M.]

If light rust exists on parts of a Corvette chassis or body parts - but car is stored in low humidity environment with no exposure to water except natural humidity on occasional drives - can one assume that the rust will remain at a fairly static level ie not get worse ?

[Joe L.]

Re: Rust In A Static State ?

Peter-----

Once oxidation begins it will proceed inexorably. However, the RATE at which it proceeds can be controlled somewhat by the factors that you mentioned. Corrosion induced and/or accelerated by exposure to a road salt environment is much more difficult to control.

[Timothy B.]

Re: Rust In A Static State ?

This is a very good question. I too have a frame that is mostly rust free other than surface rust. Some of the typical areas where there can be rust penetration, mine has none of. But, my frame has never been off and I don't have the money to do it anytime soon. The car is always garaged and only gets wet to be washed. Houston can be a humid environment however.... I wonder what I should expect?

[jordan grant]

Re: Rust In A Static State ?

I have used a product made buy a company called S100 which makes a motorcycle cleaner,and a product for storing collector motorcycles,which like a lot of corvettes,dont get ridden/driven often.(not as often as we would like anyway)

It is parafin based I believe,and was wondering if any body had found a product that could be applied while youre car was "sleeping"to prevent even the surface rust you are talking about.

A better question would be ,has anybody ever compiled a thorough list of "all" the things that should be paid attention to when a car sits for prolonged periods of time,and the "tricks"if you will to keep the car fresh for when you can find the time to get it out!!.

Normal things like battery charging,gas stabilizer,and climate control,etc. are pretty much second nature.Does anybody have a comprehensive list of what to do?(or not to do).Jordan

[Duke W.]

Re: Rust In A Static State ?

All the steel that mankind has ever made is destined to return to its natural oxide state (if it hasn't already), which is the iron oxide ore used to make steel.

However, keeping an original unrestored Corvette in a garage (with dehumidifying in very damp climates), out of condensing humidity, and off of wet roads as much as possible will probably allow the steel to outlast most of us.

Duke

[Doug Flaten]

Re: Rust In A Static State ?

I had a Mustang in bare metal for seveal years that barely produced a skin of light rust. Of course it was in a garage in Midland, TX. Annual rainfall 14" on a good year. Unless the garage is inordinately humid, it is not going to rust significantly, and surely won't crumble before your eyes.

[Charlie P.]

Re: Rust In A Static State ?

I believe that it is imperative to de-humidify the garage in high humidity locales. I think that if your car exhibits only light surface rust, and you keep the RH down, you shouldn't see rust proliferation. I also think that a car that has not been exposed to road salt and has always been garaged will suffer little, if any, damaging rust. I could be wrong, but even in Houston, has anyone seen rusted-out bodies or frames on garaged cars?

[Bruce Boatner]

Re: Rust In A Static State ?

My unrestored 1955 Chevy pickup had light surface rust on the frame when I bought it. 15 years later after being garaged in Houston it looks pretty much the same. As long as your garage floor is dry concrete and not dirt, all should be well. If you decide to park your car in the beach house garage, you might have less luck.

[Timothy B.]

Thanks!! *NM*

[Chuck R.]

Re: The only way

I'm gonna get low to no humidity in my garage is to set it on fire

Upstate New York's climate and my sixty plus year old garage and my wallet won't have it any other way.

Chuck