Does aluminum rust?

[Rollin668]

I just got a used brushed aluminum slip-on canister for my project high-mount system (it's a Jardine RT-One pipe for a CBR F4i...).
It's pretty scratched uo.  I'm wondering... if I take some steel wool to it to clean up the scratches (and hopefully remove the Jardine decal...) will I need to coat the canister to avoid rust?

I see that Plasti-Kota offers a high-temp clear coat I could use...

Thanks...

Also, I've got my tank half painted now... I spent yesterday sanding and stripping the old tank, "body-puttying" a couple dents, priming it, and painting on my stripes on the tank.  My tank will be painted with a high-gloss black with a couple 2" gloss white stripes on the top side with a 2" silver/aluminum stripe in the center of the white (with thin black pinstriping tape along the edges of the stripes)... it's coming along nicely... the white is on the tank and looks smooth as silk, the silver stripe is taped off and I'm waiting for some sun right now... should have the tank done by tomorrow early morning....


Rolly

[Rollin668]

Okay - it's won't rust (not enough iron in the metal)...
But should I paint the canister with clearcoat high-temp to avoid corrosion?

Thanks.



Rolly

[scar_ace]

Negligably, no. But in fact it actually does rust very fast and early on first contact. This forms an oxide layer which then prevents further rust. Your canister should be fine.

[KevinC]

Aluminum oxidixes, and as previouly mentioned, the outside oxide layer usually stops further reaction. Corrosive environments, such as salt air, can eat aluminum pretty quickly though.

One other point - don't use steel wool on aluminum. The surface will be imbedded with the harder steel particles, and the steel will rust easily. Use Scotchbrite pads otr similar non-metallic steel-wool substitutes.

[Turkina]

So how would you get the little bits of rust out?  My fork brace has rust spots I might just scrub it clean and paint it black  

[octane]

Your fork brace (if it's stock) isn't aluminum - it's steel, which will rust. Sand it with a fine grit sandpaper and paint it.