Aluminum corroding

[FatTuna]

I bought this new line spooler. Cost me $200. I mounted it in my garage. It was pretty humid out last night. I came downstairs and discovered corrosion on the metal on the spooler.... I've never seen aluminum corrode that easily.

I'm pretty annoyed. I just bought this and it feel it should not have degraded this quickly.

Any thoughts before I email the person I bought it from?

[Rancanfish]

I would try rubbing it with some 0000 steel wool and see if it cleans up.  If so, then wipe it down with a rag of Yamaha grease or light oil.

If it's in a damp area I'd be checking everything else I put there too.  You don't mention how long it has taken to turn colors.

If it's not pitting I'd just take care of it.  Good luck.

[STRIPER LOU]

I'm wondering if it just wasn't properly cleaned or prepped before anodizing?
...............Lou

[RowdyW]

I would wipe it down with something softer. "Steel"wool is harder then aluminum & will scratch it. Try lightly with a fine Scotchbrite soaked in white vinegar. Then coat it with something to protect it.... wax, WD 40, oil, grease or anything as a protectant.     Rudy

[FatTuna]

I'm wondering if it just wasn't properly cleaned or prepped before anodizing?
...............Lou

Might be. It's weird because only half of it looks like that. The other half was closer to the door where the moisture was coming from.

[FatTuna]

I would try rubbing it with some 0000 steel wool and see if it cleans up.  If so, then wipe it down with a rag of Yamaha grease or light oil.

If it's in a damp area I'd be checking everything else I put there too.  You don't mention how long it has taken to turn colors.

If it's not pitting I'd just take care of it.  Good luck.

I need to move everything out in that part of the garage now...... I have a lot of expensive stuff in there.

There was moisture in the metal closets. The only thing that was damaged was the spooler. Yesterday it didn't look like that. It was shiny and uniform.

[oc1]

There are lots of different aluminum alloys or grades.  Most include copper and lesser amounts of other metals.  Each alloy has its advantages and disadvantages like strength, workability, whether it can be annealed, and so on  Yours may be something like 2011 that can be machined but corrodes easily if not protected.   Something like 5052 does not readily corrode, but is difficult to work with.  What you see is the aluminum skinning over.  The light surface corrosion actually protects the material below it by excluding oxygen.  Anodizing inhibits corrosion but the coating is brittle and easy to scratch.  Paint needs a special aluminum primer but some paints are pretty tough.  Even a thin coat of polyurethane or car wax will prevent corrosion it but cannot tolerate any rubbing or abrasion.  As noted, keeping it greased or oiled will prevent corrosion and is easy to renew or reapply after use.  Anything that keeps oxygen away will work.
-steve