Date: Thu, 4 Jan 2007 14:41:27 -0500
Reply-To: Jack R <jack007@COMCAST.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Jack R <jack007@COMCAST.NET>
Subject: Re: Kool Patch
In-Reply-To: <C1C28F61.29C3%npoole@telus.net>
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http://mymatweb.com/search/SpecificMaterialText.asp?bassnum=WTEXA171
The Texaco rustproofing compound is still used by only a few rustproofing
shops in the Detroit area. Living in the rust belt, I went on a quest for
the best rustproofing compound in the Detroit area. I sat down with some
people that manufacture Polyoleum, and found I wasn't too impressed with
their product. Though it sprays on wet, it hardens to a wax consistency,
which can get harder with age, delaminate, and even trap contaminants that
lead to poultice corrosion.
The Type L Texaco rustproofing compound is essentially wool grease (whatever
that is) with 1 to 3% stearic acid. I imagine the acid is to provide a mild
etch of the substrate for better adhesion (kind of like a "flux"). There are
other formulations of this compound such as for painted surfaces, but I used
Type L, formulated for undercarriage.
You need to adapt a paint spray gun with a long nozzle made of brake tubing
to pressure spray the compound into seams, crevices, and blind areas where
corrosion typically starts. (Corrosion rarely begins in the middle of a
metal panel!).
The compound must be cut with mineral spirits to be sprayable. The mineral
spirits evaporate leaving the greasy compound on the sprayed surfaces. This
coating must be renewed every few years since - with time - the compound
dries away to nothing, especially in the high-wash areas. This is no big
deal, since I have yet to see rustproofing from a shop last for the life of
the car. You can buy it from a wholesaler in Detroit in 5-gal pail or
1/4-keg quantities. The pail can last around 3 jobs; and spray it on thick!
None of my cars have ever corroded on the treated surfaces. At most,
corrosion is in an odd place like the A-pillar or roof, since these places
aren't really treatable, or starting from the outside inward on painted
panels.
I first used this on my wife's 76 Ford Pinto, and it was the ONLY Pinto in
Detroit without rust 7 years later.
The nice thing is you can spray it over bolts, etc. and it keeps everything
rust free.
One thing to note, after the first few months, the vehicle will drip grease
as it heats up under the sun. The smell will go away eventually too.