Rust on Aluminum

Ever wonder how it is that aluminum takes 10,000 years to disintegrate and other metals can rust away in a matter of months? Well, it’s all about iron. When iron-containing metals combine with oxygen, oxidation, and eventually rusting, occurs. Because aluminum, like copper, is not an iron-containing metal, it doesn’t actually rust itself. If you have a rust stain on an aluminum surface, it’s not because the aluminum itself has rusted. More likely, it has been stained from a nearby metal. If an iron-containing metal, such as steel, rests on, is attached to, or drips water on another surface, it can create a reddish-brown stain and make it appear that the surface has rusted.

Aluminum’s anti-rust properties make it very useful in manufacturing products, such as siding, that would otherwise be prone to deterioration from rust. In addition, aluminum is widely used, either alone or in combination with zinc, as a surface coating for steel to protect it against corrosion. While aluminum is highly rust resistant, it does oxidize, but in the case of metals like aluminum and copper, the oxidation process, rather than leading to rust, creates a film-like coating over the metal that actually protects it from further oxidation. This white coating dulls the shine of aluminum but acts like a layer of thin, durable varnish. So long as this covering exists, the metal remains protected, except in extreme seashore locations where sea salt destabilizes the protective oxide film, leading to localized deterioration, or "pitting."

Removing Rust Stains from Aluminum

How do you safely clean off rust without harming the underlying surface? RustAid Spray Gel dissolves rust on contact, and will work safely on aluminum and many other surfaces including tile, stainless steel, fiberglass, and more. For large areas, RustAid Pourable Rust Stain Remover neutralizes and removes stains from almost any surface, painted or bare, indoors or out, sinks, tubs, toilets, dishwashers, counters and outdoor rust problems. No rubbing, no scrubbing!

To remove rust from aluminum and countless other household surfaces such as steel, porcelain, or concrete, and for outdoor rust challenges, such as gardening or other tools, keep RustAid Products always on hand.