so my patio table legs need some help. the chrome is starting to rust

[NMDemDist2]

in places.

I know I can get if off with BarKeeper's Friend but how to stop it from coming back?

Lemon Oil?
Varathane?
prayer??

suggestions?

[amerikat]

1. car wax?

to keep the air from getting to it.

[NMDemDist2]

2. great idea! thanks, I hadn't thought of that! n/t

[lavenderdiva]

3. here ya go:

Steps to stop continuing damage to rusted areas:

1. Remove old rust by wire brush, rotary grinding or brush.
2. Change remaining iron oxide into iron phosphate using Naval Jelly.
3. Neutralize the phosphoric acid with baking soda paste.
4. Clean up with water. Dry with clean rags and heat gun. The bare metal will oxidize quickly so next step must be done promptly.
5. Paint with Rust-Oleum Rusty Metal Primer.
6. After primer has dried, spray with 3M Underseal Rubberized Undercoating Nr. 08883. Black.

this from: 'Research On Rust' http://www.hillmanimages.com/912/rust.html

I once bought an antique dental cabinet to store my antique buttons in. It had really great, narrow drawers that would be perfect. But it had seen better days before I got my hands on it. I used Naval Jelly to remove the rust. Its a pink, gel-like substance, that you paint on, and let sit for awhile. it took off all the rust, after I scrubbed it. I then painted the cabinet with Rustoleum, and I haven't had any more problems.

[NMDemDist2]

4. i'll definately keep this in my file, but i'm trying to save the chrome

for a few more seasons if I can. painting it is my last option and i'll probably let them get really rusty before i go there

[Warpy]

5. As someone who lived on Cape Cod and battled rust constantly

on cars, including the chrome bumpers, I have a few words to say.

First of all, you're seeing rust because there is a break in the chrome plating. Think of it in the same way as infection in a cut, only that cut is permanent. It may be microscopic, but once oxygen and/or water hits the steel underneath, it will continue to spread and start to bubble up that chrome plating.

So first of all, you need to go after all the rust with a wire brush. The kind on a drill will make short work of it. Next, you need to prime that bare metal FAST, before oxidation has any chance to occur. Then you can paint. Rustoleum is a good spray primer, but any metal primer will do. Use oil based, though.

No, it will never match the chrome. That fight is over once the rust appears and becomes noticeable, so give up the idea of chrome. You may always be fighting a losing battle against rust, because chances are you're not seeing all of it and will never really get all of it.

I've used dozens of products that promised to turn iron oxide into a stable compound and prevent the steel underneath from oxidizing. None has worked to stop rust, but some have slowed it down a little. Very little.

Or you can just scrape off the rust and protect the surface and know you're either going to have to paint in the future or replace the table. Water always wins, and so does the rust it causes.

[NMDemDist2]

6. well since it's the patio table, i'll just let it go rustic and call it

patina :rofl:

it's a HEAVY old kitchen table that I bought used at the thrift store with an amateurishly cut umbrella hole already in it. It was the first year I lived in AZ and a microburst had shattered and twisted my cute little aluminum and glass patio table.

when I found this beast, i figured if the monsoon could hurt this heavy bahstard I'd have more important damage to worry about :evilgrin:

the formica on the sides of the 3" deep table are gone and since the rust is gonna win anyway I guess I'll stop the plan to put new formica on the top too. I'll just buy another plastic tablecloth for under the glass and not worry about it.

[eleny]

7. I sanded mine and did nothing else

That was a few years ago and they're fine. Your arid climate should keep them looking okay.