Q: Will Rust-Stop be effective on a vehicle that has existing rust?
A: Yes. it will prevent any existing rust from spreading by up to 80%.
Q: Is it really necessary to install Rust-Stop on a brand new vehicle that has a factory warranty?
A: Protection from day one ensures that no rust will ever form! Rust initially forms in hidden areas which are difficult to find and treat, only becoming visible after the warranty has expired.
Q: Is it difficult to fit a Rust-Stop unit? Can I do it myself?
A: Rust Stop is very easy to install. Complete instructions are included and must be strictly adhered to.
Q: How long will RUST-STOP take to install?
A: RUST-STOP will take approximately 30-45 minutes to install.
Q: Can Rust-Stop be fitted to all motor vehicles?
A: Yes. Rust-Stop comes in a standard 12 volt system for automobiles, 24 volt for trucks, busses and other heavy equipment and a 6 Volt unit for motor cycles and vintage cars.
Q: I was wondering if two electrodes would really protect the whole car or is it mainly designed for the under body?
A: The two electrodes adequately protect the entire vehicle above and below.
Q: Do I have to scratch the paintwork of the car to fit Rust Stop?
A: Yes, the small scratch is imperative as some of today's high quality paints are insulative and prevent current flow. Remember, the scratch will be covered by the anode and will never experience rust while the unit is operational.
Q: Can Rust Stop be used in conjunction with body sealant?
A: Although it can, the body sealant is totally unnecessary. Body sealant does not add any more protection and by itself cannot be guaranteed to cover 'every' inch of the under body so why use it?
Q: Why isn't Rust-Stop available in retail outlets.
A: We sell Rust Stop direct to maintain the lowest possible price. Retailers would inflate the price making it expensive for the retail buyer.
Q: Do you have pictures of Rust Stop?
A: Click Here for the pics
Q: How does rust form? (simplified)
A: Under normal conditions the metal of the vehicle contains a mass of anodes(+) and cathodes(-) due to impurities in the metal. As soon as there is moisture on the vehicle the moisture becomes the electrolyte, which provides the path for the free electrons, which are negatively charged, to travel from the cathodes(-) to attack the positively charged anodes in the metal; this is oxidization (rust). Along coastal and surrounding areas there is a high salt content in the air due to the sea, which intensifies the rusting process as it makes the moisture even more conductive. In order for corrosion (rust) to form, three agents need to be present. Namely, free electrons in the metal, moisture and oxygen.
METAL (Fe) + WATER (H20) + FREE ELECTRONS (e- ) = RUST (OH)
By eliminating any one of these agents rust will not be able to form.
Q: How does rust form? (detailed explanation)
A: Under normal conditions the metal of the vehicle contains a mass of electrodes termed anodes and cathodes due to impurities in the metal. As soon as there is moisture/water on the vehicle the moisture/water becomes the electrolyte, which provides the path for the free electrons to travel from the cathodes in the metal to attack the anodes in the metal; this is oxidization (rust). Along coastal and surrounding areas there is a high salt content in the air due to the sea, which intensifies the rusting process as it makes the moisture/water even more conductive.
When iron corrodes, iron atoms leave the metal to enter the water as iron ions FeČ+ and leave the electrons behind in the metal. The reaction is represented as follows:
Fe (solid metal) ==> FeČ+ (ions) + 2e- (electrons).
The above reaction occurs at areas of the surface of the steel known as anodes. The FeČ+ ions react with hydroxyl ions in the water to form iron hydroxide or rust as follows:
FeČ+ + 20H- ==> Fe (OH)2 (rust).
The electrons released by reaction travel to cathodic areas where they combine with oxygen and water to form hydroxyl ions as follows:
02 (dissolved in water) + 2H20 + 4e- ==> 4OH-.
The hydroxyl ions combine with FeČ+ ions to form iron hydroxide or rust as known to most people.
Q: How can you prevent rust
A: One method used is to insulate the metal from moisture and oxygen by covering it with protective chemical layers or paint. This method is effective as long as the protective surface is not damaged (i.e. stone chips, scratches, abrasions in the joints etc.). In real terms this is not possible and where damage occurs, no matter how small, rust will occur. It is also impossible to cover every area on the vehicle with this method and hard to reach places are left unprotected, often these are the areas that are most prone to corrosion.
Using the method of cathodic protection with Impressed Current and Sacrificial Anodes we effectively divert the free electrons in the metal away from the impurities and towards an externally situated anode that is held at a higher potential. The result is that the externally situated anode is corroded and not the metal of the vehicle. This method protects the entire vehicle inside and out, including all hard to reach areas.
Q: I have heard that cathodic protection will only be effective if the metal is submerged in water and is ineffective in dry conditions?
A: That is true for systems that purely use one technology. Impressed Current on its own is effective in dry conditions but cannot impress enough current to be effective in the wet; Sacrificial Anodes using cathodic protection is very effective in wet conditions but far less effective in the dry. RUST-STOP is the only system available that combines both of these to get the best of both technologies.
Q: Will RUST-STOP drain my battery?
A: No. RUST-STOP draws less current than any alarm or immobiliser and uses latest technology to enable a voltage step-up to 45V without overloading the battery. If your battery voltage drops by other means, e.g. leaving your lights on, then the RUST-STOP has a smart censor that automatically shuts the unit off, so as not to damage your battery, and switches back on when the voltage returns to normal.
Q: Can I fit RUST-STOP to a truck with a 24 volt battery?
A: Yes. RUST-STOP comes in a standard 12 volt system for cars, 24 volt for trucks, busses etc., as well as 6 volt units for vintage cars and motorbikes.
Q: How does the electrical charge transmit through the anode when it is attached using adhesive tape?
A: It is important to make a small scratch as some of today's high quality paints are actually insulative and so prevent current flow. The tape on the anodes is developed and manufactured exclusively for Rust Stop and is a graphite based, conductive tape and is unique in the sense that it allows current flow while maintaining the potential difference i.e. it does cause a direct short. This means that there is current flow between anode and vehicle (scratch) and the scratch is now covered by the anode and due to its close proximity to the anodes, will never, ever experience rust while the unit is operational.
Q: Are replacement ANNODES available?
A: Yes. Soon they will be available on this web site or by following the instructions that come with the unit.
