304 SS rusting in two weeks?

[bakerr6]

Originally Posted by reeves

Pot stirred.

not really though. If you think about it, most products have at least a few bad products leave the shelf (even when using strict manufacturing processes and machines to manufacture items).

I wouldn't necessarily count out works exhaust for one item rusting. However, I would probably ask them to compensate me for replacing the tips with some that will not rust like these have.

[Celica00]

idk man, i have 304 stainless and have driven during this heavy snow season and on consistantly salted roads and have had no rusting at all.

but i do wash the undercarriage pretty often ~1-2 weekly

[SkullWorks]

as Dimman pointed out any free iron particles on the surface of the metal can cuse rust (see threads on rail dust rusting white painted cars)

For stainless 300 series "best Practice" is to have the parts passivated after cutting/forming/welding. However passivating is not a process available in house at 99% of fabrication shops.

If a shop is both careful AND lucky, you can often get away with careful surface prep and keeping different polishing/buffing/grinding wheels, scotch-brite, sand paper etc etc for different materials.

I atleast find it refreshing that you aren't on here bashing and would rather address the problem at hand.

****If it was on my car, I would take the assembly off and start with a fresh piece of SS wool (extra fine), and roughen the whole polished tip, then polish it with a polishing wheel or buffer and some fine rouge (green or white) to get your polish back, this should get any surface contaminants out...but having those things handy and not is usually the difference****

[OrbitalEllipses]

Ran my Nameless all through winter and have had no issue like this with the tips or piping.

[Anorax]

Originally Posted by OrbitalEllipses

Ran my Nameless all through winter and have had no issue like this with the tips or piping.

And you got considerably more "elements" then I did out here on the plains of the Rockies.

[OrbitalEllipses]

Originally Posted by Anorax

And you got considerably more "elements" then I did out here on the plains of the Rockies.

Severely over-salted roads, plenty of rain, occasional snow. Nice humid climate! The perfect breeding ground for rust. I think I sheared EVERY bolt on my WRX when I did exhaust, after ~8 years of ownership. Going to try and get the BRZ buttoned up exhaust wise before next winter.

[M1K3]

Originally Posted by Anorax

No, they don't salt the roads here

Are you being sarcastic? That definitely looks like salt and its all over the place.

[wu_dot_com]

also, just because its 304SS doesnt mean its 304SS. ask the manufactor for their batch certification. you could have a bad batch of 304SS with lower than usual chrom content.

[turbocat]

Originally Posted by Anorax

No, they don't salt the roads here

Originally Posted by M1K3

Are you being sarcastic? That definitely looks like salt and its all over the place.

Anorax where is your Location? That looks like salt on the ground, and all over the bumper, and the spot pattern on the exhaust tip looks like it has the usual salt corrosion effects. If you live anywhere that a parking lot could have salt on it thats all it takes. Either that or you live near a body of water with high salt content. Like others have said, the surface may have some iron contamination. Try cleaning it off with a metal polish.

Are the exhaust welds Rusting?

Most stainless will get a petina over time from water and air and temp.

The tips could be a lesser 3xx Stainless and possibly why it rusts faster?

[FT-86 SpeedFactory]

Looks like it isn't the tip rusting but random road grime, brake dust, and other junk picked up during winter months that is rusting, especially with all the salt/brine used on roads.

Since you have a white car. Take a very close look at the paint. I bet you will also see "rust" spots in the paint. While the car isn't rusting, the material picked up from daily driving that is stuck on the paint is rusting. Most the time you can get it out with a nice hand car wash but other times it requires clay bar and some polishing.

Can look like this:


To me that looks like what is happening on the tips. Hard to say though without me taking a rag and scrubbing the tip down.

[Anorax]

Originally Posted by turbocat

If you live anywhere that a parking lot could have salt on it thats all it takes. Either that or you live near a body of water with high salt content. Like others have said, the surface may have some iron contamination. Try cleaning it off with a metal polish.

Are the exhaust welds Rusting?

Most stainless will get a petina over time from water and air and temp.

The tips could be a lesser 3xx Stainless and possibly why it rusts faster?

I'll acknowledge that my work parking lot might have some salt, I can't say for certain. But again, that much in two weeks time?

I'll be getting some Eagle One Nev'r Dull today (hopefully) and seeing what comes out.

[Anorax]

Originally Posted by FT-86 SpeedFactory

Looks like it isn't the tip rusting but random road grime, brake dust, and other junk picked up during winter months that is rusting, especially with all the salt/brine used on roads.

To me that looks like what is happening on the tips. Hard to say though without me taking a rag and scrubbing the tip down.

Silver car, actually and I intend on thoroughly cleaning the tips today if I can find the cleaner I want.

Hopefully, you're right.

Then I guess it'll be a matter of how long until it does it again, or if (if I'm REALLY lucky).

[SkullWorks]

Originally Posted by wu_dot_com

also, just because its 304SS doesnt mean its 304SS. ask the manufactor for their batch certification. you could have a bad batch of 304SS with lower than usual chrom content.

this isn't AeroSpace, it is highly doubtful that the "heat lot number" is going to be tracked thru any processes outside the original foundry.

and this isn't the 50's anymore the chance of getting "bad" 304 is not very high. heck 90% of the 302 I buy meets the 304 standard requirements also.

[Rayme]

Anybody knows what the stock tips are made from (not trying to high jack but just for comparison's sake)... they looks pretty damn good after a whole winter.