Use Steel Wool? Don't, and I'll tell ya why.....
Posted: Wed Sep 18, 2002 12:25 pm
Ok...I've seen my share of people everywhere that swear by using steel wool to remove rust off various parts of their vehicles. This will remove any unsightly rust that you "see", but will ruin the surface that you are trying to fix. First off, you are rubbing a low grade steel scrub pad against high quality steel alloy, aluminum, and/or chrome that are made to resist rust. When you do this, tiny pieces of the wool pad are IMBEDDED, into the surface, which are more prone to rust than the surounding metal. This will cause the cancer which we call "RUST", because affected areas spread. I have worked on body panels, rims, bumpers, and exhaust and even if you paint over this newly scrubbed surface, it will rust from the inside out. Test for yourself. Grab a piece of steel and scrub steel wool on one spot. Mix some salt and water and spray it on the whole piece for a few days. After a few weeks, the place with more rust will be where you scrubbed.I know cause I am guilty of this as well.
[Modified by baddkkarma, 4:26 AM 9/19/2002]
[Modified by baddkkarma, 4:26 AM 9/19/2002]