Keeping Tubing Dry

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I am wondering the best way to keep the inside of tubing from rusting.  I am adding 5' expanded metal sides to my trailer and got a couple of the 1 1/2" square uprights on then we got an 1" or 2 of rain.    I know I can get the water out but how can I keep what little moister from eating my trailer from the inside out.Knoledge is Power
Reply:uhh cap both ends and put it a check valve  in backwads and then use a vaccum pump and suck it all out.  That should hold the valve closed so it will stay vaccumed inside.   I guess that might workthat or fill it with argon or something then cap off.cap both sides, drill pin hole in one cap heat tubing with torch till water moister steams out. fill pin hole.[dark]shooting[/dark]
Reply:Or, you can close up the tubing, leaving a small hole you can introduce some anticoroding oil in thru, and then fill the hole.Boiled linseed oil works well, and even if it weaps out, shouldn't bother the paint job.Appreciation Gains You Recognition-
Reply:Is there an easier way.  Or shoud I not worry about it to much since both ends will be sealed.      What will happen if just sealed up because it is just a trailer.    What about just drilling a small hole in the bottom of the cap to allow water to drain and air to dry.Knoledge is Power
Reply:I remember reading a similiar discussion. The concenus was that sealed up tubing would not rust on the inside.
Reply:Yea, I remeber reading something similar to but, I could not seem to find that thread.  I think I will just drain the water that is in the couple that got rained in and seal up everything.Knoledge is Power
Reply:I don't think it's as much of a problem in areas where you don't have the corrosive atmousphere we have in NY state.By the time rust eats enough from the inside, the rest of the trailer will probably be in bad shape anyhow.Appreciation Gains You Recognition-
Reply:Thanks " ya all "      Unless there is bare metal down here I don't see much rust.  I lived in Ohio most my life so I know how bad just road salt can be.Knoledge is Power
Reply:fill it with expanding foamStangnetShop Full Of Stuff. Joey
Reply:vipermanz I know that would work but, have you ever seen the prices on that stuff.  Plus by the time I got done filling all the tubes I would have ahell of a mess that does not clean up.   I remember that thread from LS.Knoledge is Power
Reply:Cat litter.....................DLDLN
Reply:Already wet inside, so you will have the start of rust already. Go with it! Rust is your friend, in small quantities, because it lets you follow up with rust converter. Turns the rust black, and if protected, like, say, inside a tube, prevents further rust. I'd swab it thru the tube using a rag pulled with a wire or string. We use it for paint prep, undercoat on rail cars, preping steel parts for long term storage outside, etc.Most types are mildly to really toxic, so gloves and glasses are a must. Of the several types, my favorite is a tannic acid blend. Can't remember the brand--we use it at work.
Reply:Originally posted by enlpck Most types are mildly to really toxic, so gloves and glasses are a must. Of the several types, my favorite is a tannic acid blend. Can't remember the brand--we use it at work.
Reply:In the great state of NJ, and the wonderful world of USA, we can't use tea bags, straight phosphoric, straight tannic, or other products other than as indicated by the label . At home I would, but  at work, liability is a major issue. "hHe got phosphoric acid in his eye? What ws it being used for? Oh my god! Why didn't you use commercial rust converter?" despite the commercial product being identical, and, in one case at least, being packaged on the same line in the same factory.
Reply:Thanks for the advice enlpck, I have a couple of small bottles of rust converter I got them from the auto parts store.  I alredy have evrything sealed, but I a;so used red oxide tubing so I went ahead and blew out the water and sealed them up.  Now I am still interested in the phosphoric acid to clean the mfg. oil off of the expanded metal.  Thanks for the link FranzKnoledge is Power
Reply:Expanding FOAM is a BAD idea. It traps Moisture
Reply:Standard practice for structural tubing is to seal it up air tight.  The interior will rust until all the oxygen is used up.  At that point corrosion on the inside will stop.  In the "olden" days steel tube airframes were flushed with linseed oil and then sealed up.
Reply:I agree with lotechman. The little moisture will convert to a fine coat of rust which is an excellent coating if not disturbed. Since all the O2 will be used up, no further rusting will take place. Just make sure that the tube is completely sealed (air tight) and you will be good.
Reply:I recently cut a piece of 1' square tube that had been sitting outside on a rack for at least 12 years. The outside surface was very rough with rust. The inside surface was almost like new. I wouldn't worry about it.