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Monday, January 24, 2011

Rust!

Over a year ago, we discovered that termites had made a home in our front wooden screen door. Therefore, Art decided to get a metal door like all the neighbors. Termites can eat all kinds of things but they break their teeth on metal.

The problem, we soon discovered was that all metal things RUST in Hawaii! How come I never paid attention to this when I was growing up in Hawaii? Why don't things rust much in the Midwest? We've been told it's the salt in the Hawaiian air.

Only then did we notice that the neighbors' metal doors were also rusting, but they could live with it.

Not Art.


He talked to his brother-in-law who told him about Loctite Extend. He said he used it on his metal table and it sealed the rust in. After many years it was still in good condition.

We searched for it all over Home Depot and couldn't find it before we found somebody else looking for the same thing who also gave his testimonial for its effectiveness. He told us we should go to LOWES and sure enough, there it was!
POSTSCRIPT: We were at Home Depot today and saw the Loctite Extend in the paint department.


The directions on the can warn you to avoid getting the spray on unrusted parts because it could cause rust, too. Hunh?

We taped and newspaper wrapped the parts that might get hit by overspray. The clear spray turned the rust brownish black.


Then I sprayed it with a can of Rustoleum primer and a topcoat of Rustoleum white paint. It really looks great. Brand new!


Here's Art putting the knobs back on. Now then... what else is rusted?

Aha! The mailbox! We still haven't found a mailbox we like and mom has hinted more than once that our mailbox is the ugliest in the neighborhood. Therefore, I'm going to try the Loctite cure on it tomorrow. It's just a temporary fix until we can find a mailbox we really like.

Then again, you KNOW how long it takes us to make a decision!

27 comments:

  1. That's impressive, Kay:-)
    By the time you've tidied up your mailbox it will look so smart that you won't want a new one.

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  2. Seems the equivalent of naval jelly. Might even be the same formula packaged in a can.

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  3. you are certainly doers...can't wait to see the painted mailbox...lol!

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  4. I have heard about Loctite before and everyone says it works. I hope it does for you! I can imagine how frustrating it is to deal with all that rust in Hawaii-I'm sure it is the salt air.

    Can't wait to see the mailbox! It will look good as new and you can take your time getting just the right mailbox! It won't be the ugliest in the neighborhood anymore!

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  5. You two are so efficient. I hope you never see our house.
    Surely someone makes plastic mailboxes? Even nice-looking plastic mailboxes? Just a thought.
    It seems to me there's even such a thing as plastic imitation-metal screen doors, but don't quote me on that.
    Hi to Art, and our best to your mom.
    -- K

    Kay, Alberta, Canada
    An Unfittie's Guide to Adventurous Travel

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  6. This is such a coincidence, Kay! On Saturday, David had his friend install a brand new vinyl screen door, as our previous metal one had rusted. The cat had also torn the screen with his claws.

    I must say the vinyl looks very elegant, and it will never rust.

    As for our metal patio table, it shows signs of rust, too. David intends to paint it with black enamel paint.

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  7. I never knew about this Loctite before Kay. Thank you, I am going to file this away.

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  8. Very nice.

    Blogger has been a bit wonky with photo uploads. Even missed posting on Saturday because I just could not get it to cooperate. Oh well.

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  9. When I was in Hawaii, many years ago, in December, my camera rusted. The problem is the constant high humidity. Nothing ever really dries out, especially during the rainy season. We do have a similar but somewhat less problem here.
    Love the info on the new product!

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  10. Ron: Don't you use naval jelly to clean rust? This is so you can paint right over it.

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  11. Gigi: We have a vinyl door in the back, but it was too flimsy. We'll have to look for a stronger vinyl one some day.

    Linda: It really is the constant SALTY moisture. Luckily, only two of the panels were rusted. The other panels are blocked from the moisture by the side of the house. Still, I'm sure they'll eventually rust someday too.

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  12. Kay, I have to tell you about a relative who has a hard time making decisions. She is now an old woman, was married for over 50 years, but has never owned bedroom furniture or a bedspread because she never could make a decision. Now she doesn't have to worry about it.

    I'm so impressed with how efficient you and Art are and you must both be perfectionists.

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  13. Look great!!!!


    Thanks!!!! Noted for future reference!!!!!

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  14. Send you bugs here...they won't last long...

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  15. Rust is a natural process, I think. It seems to be evident around here too but not that bad nor obvious. We try to get rid of it by brushing or neutralizing with chemicals and then repainting. I don't think I have seen a door like your newly painted door. It reminds me of the window boxes we had when the daughter lived at home. Visitors would say they looked Spanish as they were supposed to but that they also imagined it is how a person in prison sees the day through the bars. It wasn't long after than we took them down.

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  16. Years ago we used a similar brush-on product on a basketball pole. It worked wonderfully.

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  17. Nice job. I guess every place has a drawback when it comes to living there. I think I'd like to try and put up with "rusting in Hawaii."

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  18. wonder how the product works? It must react with the rust to make something else. Great job anyway, can't wait to see the mailbox.

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  19. LOL! I love reading about your decision making. It´s sure a long process, but when you do decide it´s usually good. I´m constantly too quick to buy or speak or decide and later I regret it....

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  20. I liked how Tif decorated your mail box at Holiday time.
    Must be the salt, our door is still white!
    Aloha!!!

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  21. LOL....that's handsome. Good stuff.

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  22. Thanks for this testimony, Kay. We've been looking for something to help us clean up the metal work on our headboard. (We like our Hawaiian salt on our pork, not our furniture!)

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  23. "Ron: Don't you use naval jelly to clean rust? This [Loctite Extend] is so you can paint right over it."

    Agreed. Although both products neutralize rust, the big difference between the two is that Loctite Extend has an added ingredient that serves as a primer saving the homeowner a step to applying the actual paint.

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  24. glad they fixed your header. Gorgeous scene!

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  25. Ron: What? Oh shoot! You're right! We didn't have to put the primer on. Arrrghhh! Just goes to show you we didn't read the can properly.

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  26. Hmmm Both of the kids bikes rust. I may have to look into this stuff. Also I noticed Art is wear one of his t-shirts:)

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  27. My husband knows about Loctite and he says it is very toxic. We just opted for a plastic mailbox and plastic screens. They work fine. We are right on the Bay and everything rusts like mad.
    Loving your blog and just getting caught up on your doings.
    I'm glad you got a Kindle and hope you like yours as much as I like mine.

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