Posted 2012-09-30 8:18 PM (#147344) Subject: Metal on Metal Mess
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Posts: 489
The rear doors on my horse trailer have a metal strap (not sure exactly what to call it) that goes over the top of a metal piece on the door to keep it closed.
There is always a black grease, film, mess that comes from these pieces of metal. I have always assumed that the previous owner of my trailer used too much grease and eventually it would work it's way out. Today we were at a horse show and had time to kill so I got out some cleaner and started to try and wipe some of the black away. A lady next to us came over and started talking to me, asked what I was using because they had the same issue. Her husband came over and we go to talking and he said he thinks the black is a result of the metal rubbing togeather. Could this be the case? If so any idea how to fix it? It makes a mess on your hand when you open the doors, it gets on the doors, it's just a mess.
Posted 2012-09-30 10:33 PM (#147348 - in reply to #147344) Subject: RE: Metal on Metal Mess
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Posts: 264 Location: Sumas Washington
I would assume that black you are seeing is in fact caused by the aluminum rubbing against the other aluminum. This causes aluminum dust that turns black in the presence of oxygen.. The only way I can think of preventing this is by having a rubber or HMVW strip installed on one of the surfaces to prevent metal to metal contact.
Posted 2012-10-01 3:13 PM (#147359 - in reply to #147348) Subject: RE: Metal on Metal Mess
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Posts: 489
Originally written by gonzo1066 on 2012-09-30 10:33 PM
I would assume that black you are seeing is in fact caused by the aluminum rubbing against the other aluminum. This causes aluminum dust that turns black in the presence of oxygen.. The only way I can think of preventing this is by having a rubber or HMVW strip installed on one of the surfaces to prevent metal to metal contact.
Posted 2012-10-01 3:17 PM (#147360 - in reply to #147348) Subject: RE: Metal on Metal Mess
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Posts: 489
Originally written by gonzo1066 on 2012-09-30 10:33 PM
I would assume that black you are seeing is in fact caused by the aluminum rubbing against the other aluminum. This causes aluminum dust that turns black in the presence of oxygen.. The only way I can think of preventing this is by having a rubber or HMVW strip installed on one of the surfaces to prevent metal to metal contact.
Gonzo,
Thanks for the reply, I had always thought it was grease but I am sure you are correct as it is aluminum rubbing against aluminum. The black dust most likely picks up moisture and becomes the black mess I am seeing. What is HMVW? I tried to search but only found informaton on a rock band :) Do you think there would be anything available at Menards or Lowes that I could use? I know they have lots of foam tape with a sticky side but I am sure that would not last very long.
Posted 2012-10-01 4:55 PM (#147367 - in reply to #147344) Subject: RE: Metal on Metal Mess
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Posts: 2958 Location: North Carolina
Cheap solution... Get a Cool-whip container lid or a 5 gallon bucket. This is made of either polypropylene or polyethylene. It's a slippery plastic and will keep the two metal pieces from rubbing. Cut a strip and fasten it to the "strap" You don't want a piece too thick or it will stress the door closure. Double stick tape will work if you rough the plastic with sandpaper. Some glues might work too
A previous post mentioned UHMW. This is Ultra High Molecular Weight polyethylene. This is nice stuff but not needed in this application. Although it is available as an adhesive backed tape.
Posted 2012-10-02 4:43 AM (#147380 - in reply to #147367) Subject: RE: Metal on Metal Mess
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Posts: 489
Originally written by hosspuller on 2012-10-01 4:55 PM
Cheap solution... Get a Cool-whip container lid or a 5 gallon bucket. This is made of either polypropylene or polyethylene. It's a slippery plastic and will keep the two metal pieces from rubbing. Cut a strip and fasten it to the "strap" You don't want a piece too thick or it will stress the door closure. Double stick tape will work if you rough the plastic with sandpaper. Some glues might work too
A previous post mentioned UHMW. This is Ultra High Molecular Weight polyethylene. This is nice stuff but not needed in this application. Although it is available as an adhesive backed tape.
I think I am too much of a neat freak to use something I cut myself...I think I will try the hardware store and see if I can find something.
Posted 2012-10-02 4:43 AM (#147381 - in reply to #147367) Subject: RE: Metal on Metal Mess
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Posts: 489
Originally written by hosspuller on 2012-10-01 4:55 PM
Cheap solution... Get a Cool-whip container lid or a 5 gallon bucket. This is made of either polypropylene or polyethylene. It's a slippery plastic and will keep the two metal pieces from rubbing. Cut a strip and fasten it to the "strap" You don't want a piece too thick or it will stress the door closure. Double stick tape will work if you rough the plastic with sandpaper. Some glues might work too
A previous post mentioned UHMW. This is Ultra High Molecular Weight polyethylene. This is nice stuff but not needed in this application. Although it is available as an adhesive backed tape.
Metal on Metal Mess
