Woodward ?? for Sale with Trailer 30K

[Krzy Kat]

NO AFFILIATION ... I just came across this on Ebay.

I was a little curious, so I asked the reserve, which he said is 30K.

I'd think a real good price, but its got almost 50K miles and looks pretty beat up to me. Looks like it wasn't even garage stored.

He mentions "a small rust bubble on the front hood edge" how is that possible on an aluminum hood ??

[Kruisin Kat]

Aluminum can corrode and lift the paint. This happens just about the same way as a steel body. Get a chip or scratch in the paint and with the right enviroment (moisture, sea spray, road salt, etc) bingo bubbles! Sometimes poor prep before applying paint also can cause this.

[Dreamcast18]

Kruisin' right! Alum do 'rust', cept u can't tell due to the oxide color which gives it the 'rust-free' look/properties. Its a tough oxide, BUT, aluminium is pretty volatile. If our Prowlers ever come in contact with mercury, the car will be eaten up very quickly.

Aluminum can corrode and lift the paint. This happens just about the same way as a steel body. Get a chip or scratch in the paint and with the right enviroment (moisture, sea spray, road salt, etc) bingo bubbles! Sometimes poor prep before applying paint also can cause this.

[Krzy Kat]

Well this is some good info for me, and will lead me to a question I didn't consider before. This coming summer, I'm planning to move into a condo on the intracoastal waterway here, which of course means plenty of salt-air. What precautions should I take, or should I really consider keeping my car someplace else? (No JIM - someplace else doesn't mean Canada)

[halicat]

Dang !

Squashed before i got started.....

Rust is a big issue here, not only is it in the atmoshere, they use it in LARGE amounts on the roads in the winter to melt the ice.....The Rustproofing industry here and in all of atlantic canada is huge. One of the companies around here spray on a wax based product for $50...i've often wondered if it was worthwhile doing the Kat, but the underneath of the car looks like the day it came out of the show room.....i guess i sould leave well enough alone and deal with the problem when I actually have one...

all said and done I think you should drive it and look towards the day it needs new paint as a good thing......leaving it somewheres else will drive you crazy... I mean KRZY...lol

[Dreamcast18]

Krzy: California's pretty dry 8)

Here's a pic of a corroded aluminium bolt...

http://www.safercliffs.org/images/bad-bolts22.jpg

[Kruisin Kat]

Krzy, I would wax the paint inside where the body panels are folded around the inner panel(s). Hood, doors, side panels and deck lid, that is the most common place for corrosion to start. By spending the time to keep these areas waxed you will notice any problem (bubbling of the paint) that might arise and have time to address it before it spreads to the visible outer surfaces.

Also, I have seen the frame (and rear suspension) on a few kats that live near the coast can get the dulling from oxidation. I clean up mine twice a year, once in the fall before putting it away and once in late spring / early summer with a good metal polish. This keeps it looking better than new year round.

I'm sure you shouldn't have any problems, it just takes a little extra pampering than it already receives!