What type of metal is this?
#1
07-20-14, 12:15 PM
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: USA
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What type of metal is this?
I need help identifying this metal (see attached photos). The metal is used all over my newly-purchased property for doors, gutters, flashing, railings, etc. White chalky spots have been appearing on it recently. I've tried CLR, vinegar, backing soda, rust remover, etc. and nothing seems to be removing it. Some of those chemicals actually took the flat gray finish off the metal. I'm not sure if it's hard water stains, white rust, or something different. Please help!
#2
07-20-14, 12:56 PM
It looks to be aluminum. Steel, even galvanized will rust at the impact points where it is bent and cut. What you are seeing is "white rust". It appears on aluminum when subjected to cold and heat and moisture. Not much you can do with it. You may can etch it with a chemical and paint it. Wait on Marksr to chime in here with his paint knowledge.
#3
07-20-14, 01:00 PM
Super Moderator
Looks like some sort of phosphate coated steel. I assume it's magnetic which indicates steel. If you can't get a definitive answer here, you might try Finishing: Anodizing, Plating, Powder Coating, & Surface Finishing They have a Forum for all sorts of questions about different metal finishes and problems.
Oops...I spent so much looking at the pics I didn't see all the things it was used for. If it's not magnetic, then very likely its aluminum.
Oops...I spent so much looking at the pics I didn't see all the things it was used for. If it's not magnetic, then very likely its aluminum.
#4
07-20-14, 02:33 PM
Group Moderator
Looks like steel to me. The magnet will tell for sure. The door was probably originally primed grey but looks to be losing it's paint job (nothing lasts forever without maintenance!) and the jamb and hinges just look like they used to be bare or galvanized steel that's getting rusty from having no finish on it at all... or maybe it was once primed but never got painted.
If you're near salt water that might explain some of it.
If you're near salt water that might explain some of it.
#6
07-21-14, 04:11 AM
Let us know what the magnet does. That will determine if cleaning/buffing will bring the luster back or if you need to prime and paint. Aluminum paints well if you don't want to spend the time to clean and polish it. What coatings to use is dependent on what type of metal it is.
