Date: Mon, 24 Aug 2009 16:14:59 -0400
Reply-To: VW Doka <vw.doka@GMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: VW Doka <vw.doka@GMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: Creepy white/tan powder inside windshield rubber
In-Reply-To: <44206289-2E0A-4165-974A-AE237F80013B@comcast.net>
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I've tried to stay out of the "Creepy White Stuff" thread, but... I've
seen this on many of the early model Vanagons that I have parted out
of the years. Can't say that I know what causes it, but it is not a
unique occurrence.
Cheers,
Jeff
On Mon, Aug 24, 2009 at 4:03 PM, Tom Buese<tombuese@comcast.net> wrote:
> Having lived in SALT Lake City its entire life, my 84 westy which is
> driven almost daily all year, has never exhibited any of that creepy
> white stuff that Mr. Squirrel's does. Utah uses salt on the roads
> here, & while I try & avoid it, it is impossible to miss.
>
> I can't imagine that Bend's road conditions are that much more
> corrosive than SLC's.
>
> I've gotta think that the creepy white stuff is some sort of leeching
> reaction from something on the inside of the windshield or that got on
> the rubber by accident, but I can't imagine that it is from road salt,
> or your westy would be a dripping rust bucket as we speak?
>
> YMMV,
>
> Mr. BZ
>
>
> On Aug 24, 2009, at 1:42 PM, Rocket J Squirrel wrote:
>
>> Excellent. Now all I need is a Bunsen burner.
>>
>> We wiped the crap off the rubber yesterday anyway. If someone knows
>> where
>> else to look where I can easily grab a sample, might you know of
>> someone
>> with an interest in chemistry -- preferably with an assistant named
>> "Beaker," -- who might be able to provide a cheap and cheerful
>> analysis?
>>
>> The Oregon Dept. of Transportation assures us that their deicer is
>> less-corrosive than NaCl (see
>>
>> http://www.tripcheck.com/Pages/RCMap.asp?mainNav=RoadConditions&staticNav=WinRoadMain
>> , where they say that,
>>
>> "While [sodium chloride] is an effective tool for melting snow and
>> ice, it
>> also causes severe rust damage to vehicles, degrades the road surface,
>> corrodes bridges, and may harm roadside vegetation."
>>
>> and
>>
>> "It is recommended to wash vehicles regularly ... even though the
>> magnesium chloride product contains a corrosion inhibitor, it still
>> can
>> cause corrosion. Regularly wash vehicles to remove anti-icer/deicer
>> liquid, sanding and road dirt encountered during winter months."
>>
>> Need to find a car wash with belly wash equipment.
>>
>> --
>> Mike "Rocket J Squirrel" Elliott
>> 84 Westfalia: Mellow Yellow ("The Electrical Banana")
>> 74 Utility Trailer. Ladybug Trailer, Inc., San Juan Capistrano
>> Bend, OR
>> KG6RCR
>>
>>
>>
>> On 8/24/2009 12:05 PM Kim Brennan wrote:
>>
>>> Since Vern offered up that Bend uses Magnesium Chloride, I'll
>>> update the
>>> flame test info....magnesium chloride has no color in the flame test
>>> (neither magnesium nor chlorine, excite electrons in the visible
>>> spectrum.) Sodium does. That's why the flame test is an easy way to
>>> distinguish between sodium chloride (white powder) and magnesium
>>> chloride (white powder.) Both are also easily soluble in water.
>>>
>>>
>>> On Aug 24, 2009, at 2:27 PM, Rocket J Squirrel wrote:
>>>
>>>> Thanks, Vern!
>>>>
>>>> I knew about the use (temporary, I think I read, due to
>>>> availability) of
>>>> crushed basalt last winter. I didn't know that the red cinders had
>>>> become
>>>> an air pollution issue. Bend is pretty dusty.
>>>>
>>>> Okay, back to the magnesium chloride and my Vanagon.
>>>
>>>
>
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