Rustproofing
RustproofingOne method used to prevent rust, is to insulate the metal from moisture and oxygen by covering it with protective chemical layers or paint. This method is effective as long as the protective surface is not damaged, for example, stone chips, scratches, abrasions in the joints. In real terms this is not possible and where damage occurs, no matter how small, rust will occur. It is also impossible to cover every area on the vehicle with this method and hard to reach places are left unprotected, often these are the areas that are most prone to corrosion.
Another method is Capacitive Coupling, used by some products, which relies on the paint as a dielectric or barrier to the free electrons, causing the metal to be at a lower potential difference, theoretically slowing rust formation. There are a number of major problems with Capacitive Coupling for vehicles. Firstly, if there are stone chips or cracks in the paint, the dielectric is broken and so the charge is lost. So you need to make sure that there is no bare metal, chips or cracks on the vehicle, which is impractical. Another problem is that it is almost impossible to hold a charge (potential difference) on a sharp thin edge of metal, and so this technology is not really suited for vehicles, which are made up of many irregular shapes. Because of this, it is also ineffective on existing rust and the areas surrounding it, as rust always causes sharp edges and damaged paintwork.
Electronic rust prevention is another method used to prevent rust using one of two technologies; either Impressed Current or Sacrificial Anode. Impressed Current units are extremely effective in dry conditions but ineffective in the wet. Sacrificial Anode units, like those used on ships, are very...
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