Sacrificial Protection

[Rotary Madness]

Why have no car manufacturers used this? Surely in the long run it would make life easier and cheaper for them, especially in warranty claims against rusty bodywork?
Id also be much happier paying say 100 pounds a year to replace the anode, rather than waiting a few years, and then having to try and sort out rusty arches, paint matching etc.

Also, does anyone know of any retrofitted kits? Im sure these would be usefull, especially on classic cars such as minis, which like to rust for fun...

[HellDiver]

Or they could dip the car in zinc oxide, then paint over it. I hear that's going to catch on.

[Rotary Madness]

Which is all well and good, until you get a scratch, then it all starts. If you had the sacrificial protection, itd keep it at bay if you kept replacing the anode when it wore out.

[rhinochopig]

Rotary Madness said:

Which is all well and good, until you get a scratch, then it all starts. If you had the sacrificial protection, itd keep it at bay if you kept replacing the anode when it wore out.

Don't SAs only work in water though?

[Polrules]

This method of protection will only work if both the anode & parent material are submerged in an electrolyte. Unless you drive around underwater - forget it.

Offshore platforms use this (a CP system, sometimes with a forced current) to protect the structure, but only under the water.

HTH.

[HellDiver]

Except the zinc "heals" over the scratch...

Where do you suggest the power for this sacrificial protection comes from? Would you be annoyed if you left your car for 3 days, only to find you couldn't start it because the battery was flat? Or would you be happy in knowing your car hadn't rusted while you walk to the bus stop?

Next stupid idea, or are you fresh out?

[Rotary Madness]

OK, so ill just have to market the idea to the Austrailians

Oh and Helldiver, im full of stupid ideas

[cccscotland]

Yes it works. I run a fleet of Classic Cars, and dislike waxoyl for many reasons. About 10 years ago I was looking for a better rust prevention system and came across "Ruststop" - a system developed in SA during the sanctions years when they couldn't buy any military equipment. I sent a unit to Heriot Watt University for tests and they concluded that "Ruststop showed significant improvement in slowing oxidation over all traditional methods". So, I bought some, and fitted them to our cars. And looking at our E-type after 10 years you would have to agree it works. It still have a few units if you want one.

[Dangerous2]

You don't necessarily need to drive underwater, you could just store you car in an electrolyte solution - could be salty water or something more exotic.

[HellDiver]

cccscotland said:

Yes it works. And looking at our E-type after 10 years you would have to agree it works.

I bet you put Slick50 in the engine and rub snake oil in the leather seats as well?

[300bhp/ton]

doogz said:

Is rust really an issue on most modern cars, excluding 90's Mercs?

Yes.

There was a period where I think people forgot about it. But having had an e36 BMW and seen plenty of Puma's, Nissan's and other cars with rust. Then I'd say it's still as much of an issue, if not more so due to car makers using thinner and often cheaper metal.

[300bhp/ton]

doogz said:

Right.

But they're not cars currently in production.

No. But when new people used to think rust also wouldn't be an issue. And some of the Ford's and Nissan's aren't all that old.

[cccscotland]

HellDiver said:

I bet you put Slick50 in the engine and rub snake oil in the leather seats as well?

No I don't. But having run Classic Car Club in Edinburgh for 10 years I know a lot more about corrosion of classic cars than the average bear. And I can tell you quite categorically that it works.

And without wanting to blow my own trumpet too much, I have a M.Eng from a good university, so unlike you I also understand why it works.

If you wish to dismiss it as snake oil, that is your perogative, but don't suggest that I'm an idiot because I don't share your ill informed opinion.

[300bhp/ton]

cccscotland said:

Yes it works. I run a fleet of Classic Cars, and dislike waxoyl for many reasons. About 10 years ago I was looking for a better rust prevention system and came across "Ruststop" - a system developed in SA during the sanctions years when they couldn't buy any military equipment. I sent a unit to Heriot Watt University for tests and they concluded that "Ruststop showed significant improvement in slowing oxidation over all traditional methods". So, I bought some, and fitted them to our cars. And looking at our E-type after 10 years you would have to agree it works. It still have a few units if you want one.

I'd be interested, did you want to PM me some info?

[bigdods]

Isnt this the reason why some olde cars had positive earth ? My first car, an Austin 1100 has +'ve earth and I was told it slowed down the rust. You wouldnt have guessed looking at the rusty sills and wings.....

Made it interesting if you happened to be a 17 year old bodger and forgot to insulate the case of your new fangled casette player. Amazing amount of smoke comes out of that little cassette slot....

[Vidal Baboon]

Rotary Madness said:

Why have no car manufacturers used this? Surely in the long run it would make life easier and cheaper for them, especially in warranty claims against rusty bodywork?
Id also be much happier paying say 100 pounds a year to replace the anode, rather than waiting a few years, and then having to try and sort out rusty arches, paint matching etc.

Also, does anyone know of any retrofitted kits? Im sure these would be usefull, especially on classic cars such as minis, which like to rust for fun...

Some do.

If you look on the bottom of an A4, they have a sacrifical annode bolted to the gearbox.

[Vidal Baboon]

doogz said:

Right.

But they're not cars currently in production.

My 56 Passat has rust on the tailgate- it's horrendously bad (poke a screw driver through it style) for a car of it's age. I'll get a picture up so you can laugh at the VAG build quality.