Side Step Rust

[AWOL66]

Anyone seen rust on the side steps (see image) mine are the ones with the rubber anti slip pieces. Seem like rust is appearing around these rubbers. Anyone got the same issue? Can these rubbers be removed and then the rust removed maybe with metal polish then covered with clear wax?

[mystic]

I see no image?

[CharlieFarlie]

Well if The Mystic one cant see the image .......................................................................................

Wee Charlie.

[MarsKy]

Well if The Mystic one cant see the image .......................................................................................

Wee Charlie.

:D

Me and Big Kev had pitted spots of rust on our side steps. On aluminium.

Seemed to arise around the support bracket, it being of a different metal.

Weren't covered by the 3 year warranty.

Dealer did discuss getting them into an acid bath to remove the spots - but the cost wasn't worth it.

[firemac]

Well if The Mystic one cant see the image .......................................................................................

Wee Charlie.

:D

Me and Big Kev had pitted spots of rust on our side steps. On aluminium.

Seemed to arise around the support bracket, it being of a different metal.

Weren't covered by the 3 year warranty.

Dealer did discuss getting them into an acid bath to remove the spots - but the cost wasn't worth it.

I've occasionally seen the odd rust spots on ours but they have always come off with a spray of Muck-off and a scrub with an alloy wheel brush.

Jim

[Big Kev]

Well if The Mystic one cant see the image .......................................................................................

Wee Charlie.

:D

Me and Big Kev had pitted spots of rust on our side steps. On aluminium.

Seemed to arise around the support bracket, it being of a different metal.

Weren't covered by the 3 year warranty.

Dealer did discuss getting them into an acid bath to remove the spots - but the cost wasn't worth it.

....seem to remember it's not rust (obviously on aluminium), but a form of electrolysis/reaction between the STEEL bracket and the ALUMINIUM side step...? Was it not our electronics trainee, shcm, whom which explained eloquentfully a couple of years ago....?

Big Kev

[CharlieFarlie]

Well if The Mystic one cant see the image .......................................................................................

Wee Charlie.

:D

Me and Big Kev had pitted spots of rust on our side steps. On aluminium.

Seemed to arise around the support bracket, it being of a different metal.

Weren't covered by the 3 year warranty.

Dealer did discuss getting them into an acid bath to remove the spots - but the cost wasn't worth it.

....seem to remember it's not rust (obviously on aluminium), but a form of electrolysis/reaction between the STEEL bracket and the ALUMINIUM side step...? Was it not our electronics trainee, shcm, whom which explained eloquentfully a couple of years ago....?

Big Kev

Outboard motors and Marine engines have sacrificial anodes to counteract the corrosion that occurs when alloys and steels are together . Salt is of course a major trigger for said corrosion so maybe the greater presence of salt over the last few winters have caused this ??

Something that I have heard and would value Dons opinion on this .Is that the greater presence of salt is reacting with Copperslip ... Its called galvanic corrosion where the copper particles rust due to again the greater amount of salt ??? A couple of Jaguar Technicians I know are now using an alluminium based grease called Molyslip Aluslip in place of copperslip......

Wee Charlie.

[shcm]

Was it not our electronics trainee, shcm,

Cheek! :D.

Its called galvanic corrosion where the copper particles rust due to again the greater amount of salt ??? A couple of Jaguar Technicians I know are now using an alluminium based grease called Molyslip Aluslip in place of copperslip......

To be punctilious :P (I learned that word from early morning radio 2), I think you generally need an electrolyte too, i.e. salt water, but yeah, most things tend to get wet anyway.

The further apart the metals on the galvanic scale, the greater the tendency to corrode. I'm no metallurgist, but It's not rocket science (rocket science is just advanced plumbing) Enjoy! :

http://www.corrosion-club.com/galvanic.htm

http://www.archtoolbox.com/materials-systems/metals/55-galvanicaction.html

http://www.dossert.com/technicalinfo/corrosion.htm

http://www.corrosionist.com/Galvanic_Series_of_Metal_in_Seawater.htm

[AWOL66]

Thanks guys, sorry about the pic was rushing to get out of work and missed adding it. As it is you guys didn't need it. So if i am correct i should unscrew the mounting bolts and maybe fit some thin nylon shims between the bolt head and the plate and grease the bolt with some molyslip. Hopefully that should do the trick.

[Davrav]

Thanks guys, sorry about the pic was rushing to get out of work and missed adding it. As it is you guys didn't need it. So if i am correct i should unscrew the mounting bolts and maybe fit some thin nylon shims between the bolt head and the plate and grease the bolt with some molyslip. Hopefully that should do the trick.

Give the brackets a liberal coating of Waxoyl whilst you've got the steps off 'cos the brackets rust very easily...........

Better do mine now this thread has reminded me

[AWOL66]

Waxoil, now theres an idea, thanks

[MarsKy]

Well if The Mystic one cant see the image .......................................................................................

Wee Charlie.

:D

Me and Big Kev had pitted spots of rust on our side steps. On aluminium.

Seemed to arise around the support bracket, it being of a different metal.

Weren't covered by the 3 year warranty.

Dealer did discuss getting them into an acid bath to remove the spots - but the cost wasn't worth it.

....seem to remember it's not rust (obviously on aluminium), but a form of electrolysis/reaction between the STEEL bracket and the ALUMINIUM side step...? Was it not our electronics trainee, shcm, whom which explained eloquentfully a couple of years ago....?

Big Kev

The red bits are rust, staining from oxidation of iron/ steel bits.

Aluminium oxidises clear, and its oxide protects itself. It is its oxide which allows you to paint it.

I did pass my metallurgy class but that was 20+ years ago. Had a brilliant book on it, but it's boxed up somewhere in the attic.

Galvanic corrosion would show as streaks and not separate spots all over. It must be specks of rust breaking off and impacting on the Aluminium.

Could use a sacificial anode setup - you should see the ones we use on the legs of offshore platforms.

But I suspect it's not galvanic corrosion but normal rusting of steel bits flecking off and staining the aluminium.

[Davrav]

But I suspect it's not galvanic corrosion but normal rusting of steel bits flecking off and staining the aluminium.

Agree with you there Marksy - only needs a steel speck the size of a filing laying on the surface and it will stain aluminium in no time.

I have a distant [very] memory of building an anodising tank at school and dyeing anodised aluminium plates with fabric dye.

[bothwell_buyer]

You could try using bicarbonate of soda or even baking soda. Takes rust off chrome and shines yer teeth mega white.

[dwilson]

You could try using bicarbonate of soda or even baking soda. Takes rust off chrome and shines yer teeth mega white.

Good tip, I was wondering what to use. Only picked up my wife's 2007 RAV4 last Wednesday and noticed some spots of rust on the aluminium side steps. I think it is airborne fallout - apparently steel train wheels on rails produce a lot of it. Think I may try the Muck off recommended too.

David

[CharlieFarlie]

You could try using bicarbonate of soda or even baking soda. Takes rust off chrome and shines yer teeth mega white.

Good tip, I was wondering what to use. Only picked up my wife's 2007 RAV4 last Wednesday and noticed some spots of rust on the aluminium side steps. I think it is airborne fallout - apparently steel train wheels on rails produce a lot of it. Think I may try the Muck off recommended too.

David

Muck off is just a general APC (All Purpose Cleaner )In very expensive packaging... Auto smart do a product called G101 Which is awesome for this job. Its also very good for cleaning the plastic arc liners Wheels ect ect and costs a fraction of the cost of Muck Off.. Ask Big Kev ....

Tesco do an APC called Daisy which is almost as good !!

Wee Charlie.

[Big Kev]

You could try using bicarbonate of soda or even baking soda. Takes rust off chrome and shines yer teeth mega white.

Good tip, I was wondering what to use. Only picked up my wife's 2007 RAV4 last Wednesday and noticed some spots of rust on the aluminium side steps. I think it is airborne fallout - apparently steel train wheels on rails produce a lot of it. Think I may try the Muck off recommended too.

David

Muck off is just a general APC (All Purpose Cleaner )In very expensive packaging... Auto smart do a product called G101 Which is awesome for this job. Its also very good for cleaning the plastic arc liners Wheels ect ect and costs a fraction of the cost of Muck Off.. Ask Big Kev ....

Tesco do an APC called Daisy which is almost as good !!

Wee Charlie.

A friend built a massive double garage 10 years ago, which has a large amount of white UPVC cladding from the door lintel to the considerably high roof apex. I took a mixture of approx 4/5 parts water to 1 part Autosmart G101 and smothered it in a blanket of foam with my Autosmart Foaming Lance attachment.....10 years of grime and green algae completely disappeared when rinsed with pressure washer "Dirtblaster" nozzle....cannot recommendify highly enough.

Rav wheel arches worked great too, but since they are black/undersealed, don't want to overly use G101.

Would like confirmation that G101 will not have adverse effect on Polycarbonate (or glass...) conservatory roof panels, and can see a wee local business springing up....? Some conservatories round my way externally look doonright moquette.... Nurra good remmocendation from WCF.

Big Kev

[Davrav]

Tesco do an APC called Daisy which is almost as good !!

Wee Charlie.

I tried Daisy but I went half crazy 'cos she wouldn't give me an answer

[Guest]

Mods please lock this thread before we have anyone burst into spontaneous songbustion.

Gus

[MarsKy]

can see a wee local business springing up....?

Put it to a Dragon.

Hasn't Bannatyne got a health club out your way?

Just hang around some treadmills and you're bound to bump into him :P