Wasn't sure if this post should go in the case construction forum, but I figure since it is part of the outside of my case it could fit here. My question is: what is the best method to prevent or stop rusting?

I had what I thought to be an aluminum strip on the outside of my case to surround the cartridge slot, but over the past few weeks I've noticed that it has started to color and rust. When I sand it down to get rid of the rust and make it shine it eventually ends up rusting again. Is there something I can put on the metal to prevent this? I want to leave it as metal and not paint over it. Thanks in advance.

You can lacquer or clear cote it. It will still look like bare metal but it will be protected from weathering or rusting. It comes in high gloss and matt so you can get any finish.

You sure that's aluminum?

Move to somewhere less humid

Seriously though, you're going to have to put some sort of finish on it.

I bought a sheet of what I thought was aluminum at Home Depot and cut it into a strip, but I'm starting to think it's not; I didn't think aluminum was supposed to rust this much.


I wish. It's been rainy and humid for over a week.



Thanks. That sounds like what I'll end up doing. I'll have to look into that stuff. I assume you can buy it pretty much anywhere? Definitely want to keep that bare metal appearance. A rusty exterior of a newly constructed portable is quite unsightly.

Aluminium doesn't rust. At all.

For something to rust, it has to have iron in it. Exposed aluminium oxidises and you get a white film on the surface, that's it - you won't get rust.

Does a magnet stick to it?

Also Aluminum DOES oxide. Just turns less shiny.

A magnet does stick to it. I'm thinking it must be some combination of aluminum and scrap metal because it was definitely rusting. I ended up putting rustoleum protective enamel on it. It looks good for the moment, but I'll have to see if it lasts.

They dont mix aluminum and steel. Magnets only stick to ferrous materials (IE Iron)

But isn't steel refined iron?

yes, but they don't make an alloy by mixing a metal with an alloy. That would be, like, a super alloy; out to destroy the world!