Well, let’s yak about this cold rolled steel, you know, the stuff they use for buildin’ things and makin’ cars. Folks say it’s strong and smooth, yeah, real smooth, like a baby’s butt, but does it rust? That’s the big question, ain’t it?
Now, I ain’t no fancy engineer or nothin’, but I’ve seen things rust, you betcha. My old plow, that rusty ol’ thing, it weren’t no cold rolled steel, but rust is rust, I tell ya. And this here cold rolled stuff, it ain’t magic, it can rust too. Don’t let them city slickers fool ya.
So, does cold rolled steel rust? The short answer? You bet your bottom dollar it does! It might take a bit longer than some other metals, seein’ as they say it’s kinda tough against that rust stuff, what they call “corrosion.” But rust, it’s like a sneaky critter, always lookin’ for a way in.
- What makes it rust? Well, water, that’s the devil for metal. Rain, dew, even just the damp air, it all makes the steel start to rust. And if you got some salt around, like near the ocean or on them icy roads in winter, well, that rust’ll eat away at that steel faster than a hog at a trough.
- Why’s rust bad? Cause it makes the steel weak, that’s why. It eats away at it, makin’ it brittle and flaky. And if you’re usin’ that steel for somethin’ important, like holdin’ up a roof or keepin’ a car together, well, you got a problem, a big ol’ problem.
Now, I heard tell that when this here cold rolled steel rusts, it messes with how strong it is and how good it works. They say you gotta “pickle” it, which sounds mighty funny to me, like puttin’ it in a jar with vinegar or somethin’. But no, it’s some kinda acid bath, I reckon, to clean off that rust. Sounds like a whole lotta work if you ask me.
But how do you keep it from rustin’ in the first place? Well, that’s the real trick, ain’t it? Keepin’ it dry is the main thing. Don’t just leave it out in the rain like a forgotten toy. Put it in a shed or somethin’, keep it covered.
I heard some folks say you can rub it with wax, like the stuff they put on cars to make ’em shiny. That might work for a spell, but you gotta keep doin’ it, every few years or so. And if you can heat it up a bit before you put that wax on, well, that’s even better, gets rid of the dampness, you see. Moisture, that’s the enemy, always remember that.
So, they talk about “proper storage” bein’ important. That just means keepin’ it safe and dry, like I said. Don’t just throw it in a pile and forget about it. Treat it right, and it’ll last longer. It’s like takin’ care of your tools, you know? You leave ’em out in the rain, they rust. You keep ’em clean and oiled, they work good for years.
There’s this fella I know, he uses cold rolled steel for makin’ fences. He says he cleans it real good, and then he puts some kinda fancy finish on it, paint or somethin’. Says that helps keep the rust away. But he also says you gotta make sure it’s real dry before you put that finish on, otherwise the rust just starts underneath and you can’t even see it, sneaky like I said.
And another thing, if you’re gonna weld this here steel together, that can make it rust faster too. Somethin’ about the heat and the way it changes the metal. So you gotta be extra careful with them welded parts, make sure they’re sealed up good.
So, to sum it all up, cold rolled steel ain’t no magic metal, it rusts just like anything else. But if you take care of it, keep it dry, and maybe put some kinda protectin’ stuff on it, well, it’ll last a good long while. Just gotta be smart about it, that’s all.
Remember, rust is the enemy, always lurkin’, always waitin’ for a chance to eat away at your metal. But if you’re vigilant, if you’re careful, you can keep that rust at bay and keep your cold rolled steel in good shape for years to come. It’s like keepin’ varmints out of the henhouse, you gotta stay one step ahead.
