Protection from Magnesium chloride
08-26-2010, 10:49 AM
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'11 ML350
Protection from Magnesium chloride
I won’t go into a lot of details on MgCl since it’s already been covered here – 2010 ML350 Pitting corrosion/rusting on metal trim
A quick primer for those not familiar…some states use MgCl as a liquid alternative to sodium chloride (salt) to treat snow/ice road surfaces.
It’s a known issue that MgCl is corrosive to metal, especially aluminum. It is supposed to contain an anti-corrosion additive, but it’s not 100% affective. It seems ML’s Al trim does not have any type of protective coating and appears to especially susceptible to corrosion from this chemical.
My ’11 ML has aluminum trim along the belt line, window trim and roof rails – maybe even the running boards. I’ve also heard of some pitting/staining on the stainless steel front/rear skid plates.
What’s the best approach for preventative care? I’ve been thinking/hoping that a sealant, such as Blackfire Wet Diamond, would provide the necessary protection. And, it’s easy to use so it could be reapplied every few weeks with little effort.
Would it be reasonable to even think about a DIY application of a spray on clear lacquer?
Colorado winter is just around the corner. Any thoughts and/or direct experience on this matter? Thanks.
A quick primer for those not familiar…some states use MgCl as a liquid alternative to sodium chloride (salt) to treat snow/ice road surfaces.
It’s a known issue that MgCl is corrosive to metal, especially aluminum. It is supposed to contain an anti-corrosion additive, but it’s not 100% affective. It seems ML’s Al trim does not have any type of protective coating and appears to especially susceptible to corrosion from this chemical.
My ’11 ML has aluminum trim along the belt line, window trim and roof rails – maybe even the running boards. I’ve also heard of some pitting/staining on the stainless steel front/rear skid plates.
What’s the best approach for preventative care? I’ve been thinking/hoping that a sealant, such as Blackfire Wet Diamond, would provide the necessary protection. And, it’s easy to use so it could be reapplied every few weeks with little effort.
Would it be reasonable to even think about a DIY application of a spray on clear lacquer?
Colorado winter is just around the corner. Any thoughts and/or direct experience on this matter? Thanks.
Last edited by eeferber; 08-26-2010 at 06:50 PM.
08-28-2010, 07:02 AM
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'84 380 SL/ '02 XK8
Road Salt
Although dry salt is inert 15 – 20.oF (9 – 29.oC) is considered the lower limit for salt to melt snow and ice but once H2O, even in the form of moist air (i.e. humidity) is added the freezing point is lowered and the sprayed brine solution (pH 8.5) used on roads will have an adverse effect (the formation of rust and/or corrosion) on the vehicles paint and undercarriage. When washing the vehicle ensure that all salt removed to avoid a brine solution remaining on the paint finish. Using a durable protection (Collinite Insulator Wax) will provide a sacrificial and renewable protection to the vehicles paint finish.
The salts (salt CI and water H2O produce oxides, which cause corrosion) used for freezing point depression in a sprayed brine solution (often mixed with grit / sand for tyre adhesion) commonly used are;
(a) Sodium chloride (NaCl) the most common salt used Sodium chloride (rock salt, halite) lowest practical temp: 15.oF (9°.C) keeps sidewalks dry, corrosive, damages to concrete and vegetation
(b) Calcium chloride (CaCl2) works at lower temperatures than sodium chloride. Lowest practical temp: 20.o F (29. °C) melts ice faster than sodium chloride, attracts moisture, surfaces slippery below
(c) Magnesium chloride (MgCl2) is the name for the chemical compounds and its various hydrates MgCl2 (H2O) x. These salts are typical ionic halides, being highly soluble in water. Melts ice faster than sodium chloride. Lowest practical temp: 5. °F (15°.C) attracts moisture
Magnesium chloride is very effective even at the lowest temperatures but also contains the most aggressive corrosives (especially on glass surfaces) and a sprayed brine solution, it is used to prevent snow / ice adhesion to the road surface. A number of state highway departments throughout the United States have decreased the use of rock salt and sand on roadways and have increased the use of solutions of magnesium chloride (often called "liquid magnesium chloride") as a de-icer. Magnesium chloride is much less toxic to plant life surrounding highways and airports, and is less corrosive to concrete and steel (and other iron alloys) than sodium chloride.
Anti-icing liquids, which according to State authorities, the liquid solution consists of - Magnesium chloride (MgCl2) Calcium chloride (CaCl2) and other liquids that work like anti-freeze, by lowering the freezing temperature of water and preventing ice from forming a strong bond to the road
Use a high pressure hose (Power wash) the wheel wells and undercarriage, allow to dry. Spray the affected area (s) with Eastwoods Road Salt Neutralizer a high performance rust-preventive coating designed for application directly on rusted metal surfaces; apply thin coats and allow each coat to thoroughly dry
Q:Would it be reasonable to even think about a DIY application of a spray on clear lacquer?
Use a polymr sealant (Zanio) or one of the newer nanothechnology coatings (Aquartz)
Although dry salt is inert 15 – 20.oF (9 – 29.oC) is considered the lower limit for salt to melt snow and ice but once H2O, even in the form of moist air (i.e. humidity) is added the freezing point is lowered and the sprayed brine solution (pH 8.5) used on roads will have an adverse effect (the formation of rust and/or corrosion) on the vehicles paint and undercarriage. When washing the vehicle ensure that all salt removed to avoid a brine solution remaining on the paint finish. Using a durable protection (Collinite Insulator Wax) will provide a sacrificial and renewable protection to the vehicles paint finish.
The salts (salt CI and water H2O produce oxides, which cause corrosion) used for freezing point depression in a sprayed brine solution (often mixed with grit / sand for tyre adhesion) commonly used are;
(a) Sodium chloride (NaCl) the most common salt used Sodium chloride (rock salt, halite) lowest practical temp: 15.oF (9°.C) keeps sidewalks dry, corrosive, damages to concrete and vegetation
(b) Calcium chloride (CaCl2) works at lower temperatures than sodium chloride. Lowest practical temp: 20.o F (29. °C) melts ice faster than sodium chloride, attracts moisture, surfaces slippery below
(c) Magnesium chloride (MgCl2) is the name for the chemical compounds and its various hydrates MgCl2 (H2O) x. These salts are typical ionic halides, being highly soluble in water. Melts ice faster than sodium chloride. Lowest practical temp: 5. °F (15°.C) attracts moisture
Magnesium chloride is very effective even at the lowest temperatures but also contains the most aggressive corrosives (especially on glass surfaces) and a sprayed brine solution, it is used to prevent snow / ice adhesion to the road surface. A number of state highway departments throughout the United States have decreased the use of rock salt and sand on roadways and have increased the use of solutions of magnesium chloride (often called "liquid magnesium chloride") as a de-icer. Magnesium chloride is much less toxic to plant life surrounding highways and airports, and is less corrosive to concrete and steel (and other iron alloys) than sodium chloride.
Anti-icing liquids, which according to State authorities, the liquid solution consists of - Magnesium chloride (MgCl2) Calcium chloride (CaCl2) and other liquids that work like anti-freeze, by lowering the freezing temperature of water and preventing ice from forming a strong bond to the road
Use a high pressure hose (Power wash) the wheel wells and undercarriage, allow to dry. Spray the affected area (s) with Eastwoods Road Salt Neutralizer a high performance rust-preventive coating designed for application directly on rusted metal surfaces; apply thin coats and allow each coat to thoroughly dry
Q:Would it be reasonable to even think about a DIY application of a spray on clear lacquer?
Use a polymr sealant (Zanio) or one of the newer nanothechnology coatings (Aquartz)
Last edited by TOGWT; 08-28-2010 at 07:09 AM.
