White "spots"/corrosion/oxidation of Miata latches and screws???

I have a 2003 Miata that was driven in Florida for the last 2 years.
Over the last year, the interior convertible latches, springs, and
screws have developed some sort of white crust/oxidation on the exposed
sections. It's not just limited to the interior, since I have also
found that some of the screws in the trunk area also have this
oxidation. I have tried putting some WD-40 on the affected parts, and
it does help, but it doesn't completely remove it.

My Miata has been well maintained and has never experienced any water
related damage. When it was last in the shop, I asked the mechanic to
check the undercarriage/frame for any evidence of rust and none was
found.

Has anyone else seen this on their vehicle? If so, any clue on what
causes this or how to remove it?

Thanks!

The light colored powder is caused by dampness at a temperature that
encourages corrosion. Florida adds a little salt tang to the moisture, and
causes the process to occur more rapidly. You may be able to use something
like "Naval Jelly" to stop the corrosion.

Look at an older Florida boat, and you will see similar corrosion on many
metal parts.

> wrote in message
ups.com...
> I have a 2003 Miata that was driven in Florida for the last 2 years.
> Over the last year, the interior convertible latches, springs, and
> screws have developed some sort of white crust/oxidation on the exposed
> sections. It's not just limited to the interior, since I have also
> found that some of the screws in the trunk area also have this
> oxidation. I have tried putting some WD-40 on the affected parts, and
> it does help, but it doesn't completely remove it.
>
> My Miata has been well maintained and has never experienced any water
> related damage. When it was last in the shop, I asked the mechanic to
> check the undercarriage/frame for any evidence of rust and none was
> found.
>
> Has anyone else seen this on their vehicle? If so, any clue on what
> causes this or how to remove it?
>
> Thanks!
>

Chuck

I have been in DeLand, FL for over a year with my 03 and
have seen no corrosion problems (yet!). I have seen the
same "salt air" corrosion on aluminum window frames, though.

Randy

"Chuck" > wrote in message
news:HPZYf.11926$FD4.1317@dukeread07...
> The light colored powder is caused by dampness at a
temperature that
> encourages corrosion. Florida adds a little salt tang to
the moisture, and
> causes the process to occur more rapidly. You may be able
to use something
> like "Naval Jelly" to stop the corrosion.
>
> Look at an older Florida boat, and you will see similar
corrosion on many
> metal parts.
>
> > wrote in message
>
ups.com...
> > I have a 2003 Miata that was driven in Florida for the
last 2 years.
> > Over the last year, the interior convertible latches,
springs, and
> > screws have developed some sort of white crust/oxidation
on the exposed
> > sections. It's not just limited to the interior, since I
have also
> > found that some of the screws in the trunk area also
have this
> > oxidation. I have tried putting some WD-40 on the
affected parts, and
> > it does help, but it doesn't completely remove it.
> >
> > My Miata has been well maintained and has never
experienced any water
> > related damage. When it was last in the shop, I asked
the mechanic to
> > check the undercarriage/frame for any evidence of rust
and none was
> > found.
> >
> > Has anyone else seen this on their vehicle? If so, any
clue on what
> > causes this or how to remove it?
> >
> > Thanks!
> >
>
>

Is this dangerous? Is it like rust, in that it will continue to
spread/get worse? Where do you pick up Naval Jelly?

Thanks!

Is this dangerous? Is it like rust, in that it will continue to
spread/get worse? Where do you pick up Naval Jelly?

Thanks!

wrote in oups.com:

> Where do you pick up Naval Jelly?

Hardware store or online:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...nce&n=15684181

Google, as always, is your friend!

On Wed, 5 Apr 2006 21:05:44 -0400, "Chuck" >
wrote:

>The light colored powder is caused by dampness at a temperature that
>encourages corrosion. Florida adds a little salt tang to the moisture, and
>causes the process to occur more rapidly. You may be able to use something
>like "Naval Jelly" to stop the corrosion.
>
>Look at an older Florida boat, and you will see similar corrosion on many
>metal parts.

Naval Jelly is a powerful rust REMOVER. It is very acidic. I would not
recommend it to PREVENT corrosion, especially on zinc based castings
like Miata latches.

It is more than a rust remover. There are various types sold under the trade
name. It's made for more than just Steel & Iron.
The basic gell is for ferrous metals. You can also use several other
preperations of milder strength. The idea is to remove or neutralize
whatever is causing the powdering. Florida has a common problem with salt in
the air. Acidic solutions neutralize salts.

The best long term solution is to microgrit blast parts, and refinish with a
baked on finish (Powder coat?)

My 99 has quite a bit of time in SW Florida, and was often parked a hundred
feet from the gulf. I haven't had any problems. On the other hand, several
late 80's GM cars had problems with door window frames corroding from the
inside out. One key practice is to frequently wash and dry a car, and flush
the underside as part of the wash.

"Natman" > wrote in message
...
> On Wed, 5 Apr 2006 21:05:44 -0400, "Chuck" >
> wrote:
>
> >The light colored powder is caused by dampness at a temperature that
> >encourages corrosion. Florida adds a little salt tang to the moisture,
and
> >causes the process to occur more rapidly. You may be able to use
something
> >like "Naval Jelly" to stop the corrosion.
> >
> >Look at an older Florida boat, and you will see similar corrosion on many
> >metal parts.
>
> Naval Jelly is a powerful rust REMOVER. It is very acidic. I would not
> recommend it to PREVENT corrosion, especially on zinc based castings
> like Miata latches.
>
>
>
>
>
>