Subject: crusty wheels and aluminiun rot

[Ron J Horowitz <RonHorowitz@domain.elided>]

>What protection is suggested for rapid aluminum
>oxidation in a seacoast environment?

Not too sure if you mean hidden mechanical stuff or cosmetic parts. You
could try LPS 3, Cosmoline, petroleum jelly, etc., for mechanical parts, =
or
if you are concerned about exposed cosmetic parts, you could try either
clear coat or clear anodize (expensive...) BTW, most of the standard Alfa=

wheels were a magnesium alloy that's pretty much hopeless if it's left
exposed, especially if the idiots at the tire store clamped lead weights
onto the rims with steel clips that dig into the alloy (one of my pet
peeves, of which I have many, is tire store morons.)

LPS 3 / Cosmoline / petroleum jelly work very well, but they attract dust=
,
dirt, etc. You can always clean it off with a little Stoddard solvent or
whatever and reapply periodically. Clear coating is OK, but usually gives=
 a
slightly orange peeled surface, especially when HVLP or electrostatic
powder guns are used. Also, if the finish gets chipped, oxidation will wo=
rk
it's way up underneath the clearcoat, and you won't be able to remove it
without taking the clear coat back off. Clear anodizing works pretty well=

for light duty stuff, but it's expensive, and I have no experience with
salty-outdoor environments. =


One of the places you might look for ideas is the trade publication Produ=
ct
Finishing. You may also want to investigate the ASTM salt spray results f=
or
the various finishes. Also check for UV resistance, since this clouds,
fades, and chalks many finishes, some worse than others.

Hope that helps a little,

RON

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