Thanks Thanks:  0
Needs Pictures Needs Pictures:  0
Picture(s) thanks Picture(s) thanks:  0
Results 1 to 8 of 8
  1. #1
    Join Date
    Aug 2021
    Location
    Pampa, TX
    Age
    52
    Posts
    2

    Question Need help with rusting issues

    I have recently gotten into metal art. I am finding that even after clear coating several times that my pieces are rusting. I am painting with patinas and metal dye and then clear coating several times. I have used every kind of clear coat I can find from rustoleum to K2. I have been told that when I dry my metal with the air compressor I may be leaving moisture in the metal, but I don't know how to get away from that since I have to rinse after each patina (liquid spray on patinas) coating and then air dry to keep from flash rusting. Anyone have any ideas that might keep this from happening or a product to use?

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Sep 2012
    Location
    York, North Yorkshire UK
    Posts
    6,436

    Default

    Hi Freelen,

    Welcome to the forums !

    If you are getting rusting it means that oxygen and moisture are present, probably acids as well ! Assuming that the coating is water proof and not breathable, then moisture is being trapped under the coating. Baking will drive off any moisture but a non breathable, non water based coating should be applied immediately to seal the surface. Some coatings may contain organic acids which will promote corrosion.
    Best Regards:
    Baron J.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Jan 2004
    Location
    Mackay North Qld
    Posts
    6,446

    Default

    Hi Freelen
    Welcome to the MetalWork Forum,

    You may find us a bit different to many online Metalwork orientated Forums in that we are Australian based not U.S or European but with a good smattering of Brits, Americans and folk from other countries making up our member ship. Consequently our reference to products,vendors and nomenclatures will be likely quite different to what you are used to and vice versa.

    We have many fine folks here who are supportive friendly and helpful.

    Please take the time to navigate around the forums to view the varied and interesting subjects.

    To do this, goto the the FORUM box in the top left hand corner of the screen. Click Forum Home and a scroll down page will come up.

    Scroll down the page and the various help pages and sub forums shall be shown.

    Please read the Terms of Use on the very top of the scroll down page - they are our rules.
    To save time here's the link

    https://metalworkforums.com/f90/t197...terms-tou-read

    Many pages also have a sticky at the top for guidance on what to post or not post.If you post its always a good idea to check the sticky ,if there is one there.

    Please post your questions in the appropriate MetalWork forum.

    Again, welcome to our forums.

    Grahame

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Jan 2004
    Location
    Mackay North Qld
    Posts
    6,446

    Default

    One quick and reasonably cheap method may be using what we call methylated spirits (denatured alcohol to you) after you rinse.

    Denatured alcohol bonds to moisture and this moisture will evaporate along with the denatured alcohol. Wiping over with denatured alcohol is sometimes used after phosphoric acid rust removal treatment on steel and its reference is there in some instructions for using Phosphoric acid for this purpose.

    As an interesting aside, the same denatured alcohol can be used in your vehicle's petrol tank (gas tank) if you get water in there. It makes the water mix with the petrol
    (gas) enabling your engine to burn it.

    Other issues can be , humidity in your part of the country and if your compressor/ air supply has a drier connected- other wise you are blasting the item with water laden air.

    Does this help?

    Can we see some photos of your metal art? if they are fabricated or welded, our Welding forum is the best forum to show them in.

    Grahame

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Sep 2008
    Location
    Riddells Creek, Vic.
    Posts
    831

    Default

    Are these metal art pieces kept indoors or out in the elements?

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Aug 2021
    Location
    Pampa, TX
    Age
    52
    Posts
    2

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Techo1 View Post
    Are these metal art pieces kept indoors or out in the elements?
    They can be used indoors or outdoors. The ones we noticed recently were outside.

  7. #7
    Join Date
    May 2013
    Location
    Rockhampton, QLD
    Age
    68
    Posts
    454

    Default

    Welcome to the forum.

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Jan 2004
    Location
    Mackay North Qld
    Posts
    6,446

    Default

    Hi Freelen,
    I took a look at the map to see how close to the ocean you were.

    Given you are just about far enough distant from the ocean as you can be, salt rusting could be ruled out.

    However seeing the recent post about the pieces that rusted were outside led me to consider electrolysis via the ground. I thought the term was electrolytic corrosion and have since checked and found thats not it.

    I may not know what it is called but do have an idea on what stops it.

    Long story short,is that we placed insulating blocks at the legs/bases under steel that touched the ground.

    The corrosion is reduced significantly even though there still is some residual corrosion. Given we are 2 miles from the Ocean and downwind of a coal loading terminal what rust we do suffer is not surprising.

    With metal to ground , apparently the ground contact allows a minuscule electric current and before you know it you have corrosion.
    This is why we don't place a metal locker on concrete but always put some form of non conductive packing- otherwise the bottom rusts out of them over time.

    Hope this helps you.

    Grahame

Similar Threads

  1. Shed Wall Rusting
    By wm460 in forum METALWORK GENERAL
    Replies: 6
    Last Post: 26th Oct 2020, 11:25 AM
  2. Things you see rusting in Tassie.
    By DSEL74 in forum METALWORK GENERAL
    Replies: 10
    Last Post: 18th Oct 2017, 12:58 PM
  3. T nut issues
    By Stustoys in forum METALWORK GENERAL
    Replies: 41
    Last Post: 13th Sep 2010, 09:20 AM
  4. De-rusting an Unusual BBQ
    By pwaite in forum METALWORK GENERAL
    Replies: 8
    Last Post: 18th Feb 2007, 01:28 PM
  5. Calendar issues
    By Groggy in forum FORUMS INFO, HELP, DISCUSSION & FEEDBACK
    Replies: 7
    Last Post: 7th Jan 2007, 05:07 AM

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •