Hence: "Rust never sleeps."

Jim

Blue Eyes wrote:
>
> Seam bubbling arises when oxidation occurs between
> seals at joined body panels.  This process
> destroys the metallic body to the extent that it
> occurs. While it's occurring, the chemistry
> produces "out gassing" which causes stretched
> gasket and paint material, often observable as
> bubbles.  One particularly nasty aspect of this
> process is that the first rust produced then
> absorbs moisture from available air because rust
> is mildly deliquescent.  This makes the rusting
> process self sustaining.  So the analogy to
> biological cancer is rather apt.  Once it starts,
> it tends to go to completion unless heroic efforts
> are made.  If we could prevent any more water from
> becoming available to the process, it would not
> continue.  But once it's started, you already have
> a seal breach, so it is slowly dying.  Casual
> stop-gap measures can slow, but never arrest
> continued development.
> John