[DML] Re: Driving DMC on salted roads

[Bob Brandys <BobB@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

As most people know, the car manufacturers have pretty well "solved" the corrosion problem with new cars, even in areas where salt is used.  (Those "anti break through corrosion" laws apparently worked!)

These anti corrosion methods mainly involves metal treatment and sealing finishes.  

Unfortunately, these technological processes were not around when the D frames were built. 

Epoxy coating was state of the art, but frame flex cracked the epoxy.  

We have worked on cleaning up the frames on our 3 deloreans.   They were all driven to some extent on salted roads.  

The main problem we observed is corrosion inside of the frame channels - where the epoxy had cracked off.  

Two things had occurred.  Clearly water got into these spaces at some time from driving in the rain or snow. 

However, the main culprit was condensation.   Leaving the car outside, in temperature and humidity conditions that allow condensation to occur inside of the metal frames.   This condensation does NOT dry out quick - like open surfaces.   This results in rotting from in the inside out.  

This is a phenomena we have observed on hundreds of vehicles we have worked on over the past 40 years.  

Keeping the vehicle dry and drying it out quick when it gets wet (or condenses)  seems to be the most important in the long run. 

Bob


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