Salt!

[zagatoes30]

Although they use salt over here it is a lot less than in the UK, major roads get a covering especially around Dublin but out in the sticks less so.

 

[RodTungsten]

I suppose Al parts are acting as sacrificial anodes on our steel cars. Aluminium boats often use Magnesium as sacrificial anodes but only in fresh water, I think. Why not salty water?

Anyone with electrochemical knowledge here who could advise about this in our damp and somtimes salty conditions?

 

[lozcb]

I suppose Al parts are acting as sacrificial anodes on our steel cars. Aluminium boats often use Magnesium as sacrificial anodes but only in fresh water, I think. Why not salty water?

Anyone with electrochemical knowledge here who could advise about this in our damp and somtimes salty conditions?

I had sacrificial anodes on both my mercruiser outdrives ,and in salt water they wear down a lot quicker a couple of seasons on the south coast and they were shot

 

[Ewan]

I had sacrificial anodes on both my mercruiser outdrives ,and in salt water they wear down a lot quicker a couple of seasons on the south coast and they were shot

Much depends on the free current in the location of the boat. For example, if you’re moored next to a badly maintained steel boat with a live-aboard running constant shore power, your anodes are likely to erode more quickly.
On the upside, better your anodes than your outdrives.

 

[RodTungsten]

I suppose Al parts are acting as sacrificial anodes on our steel cars. Aluminium boats often use Magnesium as sacrificial anodes but only in fresh water, I think. Why not salty water?

Anyone with electrochemical knowledge here who could advise about this in our damp and somtimes salty conditions?

So the Q is: could a lump of magnesium be used as a sacrificial anodes on cars with Al structures?

Though adding Mg to rusty steel has almost the ingredients of a Thermite b*mb.

 

[Scaf]

So the Q is: could a lump of magnesium be used as a sacrificial anodes on cars with Al structures?

Though adding Mg to rusty steel has almost the ingredients of a Thermite b*mb.

I am sure I read on the Mustang forum that someone was trying something akin to this, to try and avoid the dreaded alloy bonnet corrosion the imported S197 cars suffer, but can’t find the details.

 

[karatemaserati]

I go out in the winter just make sure its rained before hand and dryed off.

I am sure I read on the Mustang forum that someone was trying something akin to this, to try and avoid the dreaded alloy bonnet corrosion the imported S197 cars suffer, but can’t find the details.

Re that... unless his bonnet is wet all the time or submerged he'd be wasting his time as the process needs a constant medium