How to quantify rust.

I have a meeting next week with a guy on the other side of the Country about rust. I used to have a Spec that described Stage I as superficial, Stage II as light pitting up to .... depth, Stage III, etc.

I can't find the Spec. I used to have a 3 ring binder on my desk called "Helpful everyday stuff" but that got lost in the move.

I need some common frame of reference that would make it easier to define a condition and at what point an item is no longer safe.

Thanks, Dan

Like this?

http://www.tpub.com/content/inspectionprocedures/TB-1-1730-229-30-3/TB-1-1730-229-30-30011.htm

The final stage of rust is called "Fiat".

If you are selling it is either classified as "rust-free" or "surface rust".

If you recently bought it's called "worse than I thought".

At least that's how it works out for me when I buy a new toy.

Woody wrote: The final stage is called "Fiat".

or "240Z"

I think the most important thing is to bias your assessment on a geographical scale. As a recent example, P71 just scrapped a Hornet that was in "Like new" condition to me. We must live in different climates.

Visual aids are generally helpful. I'll offer you this one for "surface rust":

Use the 1-10 scale, with 1 having absolutely no rust, and 10 being very rusty. Anything rated 2 or more should be classified as a total rust bucket.

Even in an eventful day, this is the funniest thing I've seen. Props.

TJ wrote: If you are selling it is either classified as "rust-free" or "surface rust". If you recently bought it's called "worse than I thought". At least that's how it works out for me when I buy a new toy.

Rust was a standard feature on Fiats.. what other can can claim to get lighter over time?

Streetwiseguy wrote: I think the most important thing is to bias your assessment on a geographical scale. As a recent example, P71 just scrapped a Hornet that was in "Like new" condition to me. We must live in different climates.

This. I cry when I see cars scrapped that are "all rusted out" because the M6 bolts holding the nose skin on broke off, or something.

My favorite was the XR4Ti Incident. Went to look at a "NO RUST EVER" car (direct quote from CL ad). Also, incidentally, MECHANICALLY PERFECT and NO ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. I was playing the role of Make Sure My Friend Doesn't Make A Rash Decision, since I knew slightly more about these cars than he did. (90% of what I do know, I learned from the GRM article a decade or so back)

Besides the engine running like retarded dog ass, the instrument cluster half inoperative, the battery that had to be left disconnected because the interior lights stayed on, the suspension that had obvious problems, and the brake issues, the car had a remarkably recent repaint, apparently without proper masking. The plastic cladding wasn't removed, either.

I reached under the rocker and where the body seam should have been, I was fondling carpeting. Not in any kind of good way. I pointed this out to the seller.

"Well, yeah, no rust means no visible rust. ALL cars are rusty."

I'm fairly easygoing when it comes to rust, since I expect it. But it doesn't take a genius to know that "no rust ever" means the car has never had any rust on it, ever.

Two weeks later, my friend found a GENUINELY rust free XR4Ti. There's a tiny bit of rust coloration here and there but all the body panels have sharp, defined edges and corners, and all of the bolts have threads.

Knurled wrote:

Streetwiseguy wrote: I think the most important thing is to bias your assessment on a geographical scale. As a recent example, P71 just scrapped a Hornet that was in "Like new" condition to me. We must live in different climates.

This. I cry when I see cars scrapped that are "all rusted out" because the M6 bolts holding the nose skin on broke off, or something.

Or turned into a 1 time use enduro car. I was at a big mini stock race in N.Carolina a few years ago. There was a 100lap enduro running after the mini feature, and I saw several late 70's Camaro enduro cars with full wheel wells, and rear quarter sheet metal that I hadn't seen in 25 years.

Thanks EastCoast, that's what I remember. Once you're 50, memory's the second thing to go.

Dan

Rust amount is subjective to location. A rust free Chicago car would appall a mechanic in Arizona.

zomby woof wrote: Or turned into a 1 time use enduro car. I was at a big mini stock race in N.Carolina a few years ago. There was a 100lap enduro running after the mini feature, and I saw several late 70's Camaro enduro cars with full wheel wells, and rear quarter sheet metal that I hadn't seen in 25 years.

They made Camaros in the late 70's? I thought they went right from 1969 to 1985 or so.

lizard wrote:

Woody wrote: The final stage of rust is called "Fiat".

Or "Alfa"

Or "BMW 2002"

Woody wrote: The final stage of rust is called Any car made in the 60's.

fixed that for you.

Woody wrote: The final stage of rust is called "Fiat".

So true:

Appleseed wrote: Rust amount is subjective to location. A rust free Chicago car would appall a mechanic in Arizona.

So true. What I'd have called a rusty scrap pile, barely good for parts back home in Washington state would be considered clean, showroom fresh condition over here from the mid-Atlantic on up. Which is why I actually restored that Fiat pictured above.

look at ads for cars for sale in this area of MN, and many of them will be "North Dakota" cars- which is code for "not totally rusted out".