Corrosion Treatment and Prevention

[Simon Peck]

Hello All
I was wondering, after having seen some people driving their tanks through puddles of mud, what are people doing to prevent or reduce corrosion on their models? I know of course the aluminium is less of a worry, but there is still a fair amount of steel especially in the running gear.
Thanks in advance,
Simon

[John Davie]

Simon,

The simple answer is 'nothing'. Mine are etch primed and painted during assembly inside and out. There is little that is non-aluminium other than mudguards and the like which, if they get scratched and then surface rust, all adds to the effect.

[Fabrice Le Roux]

Simon,

As John says good priming is the key. A thin layer of acid etch serves to reduce the gavanic reaction between the steel and alu components. Avoid thick over-priming as this can mess up the fit of the parts. Gavanic corrosion is accelerated by moisture and the dissolved salts in mud. Saltwater and rocksalt-contaminated snow/slush are the very worst.

A really good hosedown after running in mud/sand/snow goes without saying, but it is worth taking the tracks off and getting them completely dry in the airing cupbourd (if your good lady permits) or hang them up in the garage with the gentle warmth of a fan heater.
Don't be tempted to oilbath the tracks as this will attract grit and the steel pins will grind their way into the softer alloy trackpads. Some have used dry type lubricants. I don't as real tracks squeak, so why not our scale ones?

Priming, painting, washdowns and lubrication are a key part of real tank maintainence and Armortek models are sufficently big that they need same to keep looking good and running sweetly for years to come.

Hope this is helpful.
Cheers, Fabrice

[Stephen White]

Just as Fabrice says.

I'd add that the only lubricant I use is Rocol Oxylube, which is a dry film molybdenum based aerosol. I apply it sparingly to the main gears in the gearbox but nowhere else. It resists picking up contaminants, where conventional greases and oils will attract particles which will act as a grinding paste. Best keep everything dry.

Hope this helps.

Stephen

[Simon Peck]

Hello Chaps.
Thanks for the taking the time to reply, I appreciate the advice.
Kind regards,
Simon.

[Dennis Jones]

Also I seal all the internal joints in the hull with silicon sealant during the build.

Dennis.