Question on rust development

[blown motor]

This is just a question that ran through my mind. So, moisture needs to be present for rust to start. If a spot begins to rust and then completely dries out, does the rust continue to develop or does it stop?

[JH27N0B]

If you put metal in an inert environment it can't rust or further rust.
If you could put it in an environment with 0% humidity it can't oxidize, but I'm not sure anywhere other than an environmentally controlled chamber would ever be that low.
I've heard it said that metal can't rust/oxidize below a certain bitterly cold temperature but that is likely due to the lack of water vapor in the atmosphere when it's below zero.
The moon might be a great place to store cars!

[RUNCHARGER]

Rust never sleeps.

[jimynick]

Murray. for a rust spot to stop rusting means you've moved to Arizona or the likes. Remember my Challenger, which sat in heated inside storage virtually all the years I owned it before restoring it, had very little corrosion when I got it and you know how that worked out. 

[blown motor]

Murray. for a rust spot to stop rusting means you've moved to Arizona or the likes. Remember my Challenger, which sat in heated inside storage virtually all the years I owned it before restoring it, had very little corrosion when I got it and you know how that worked out. 

@jimynick  So moving to New York won't do it?  Going to have to have a talk with that lady. 

[MoparLeo]

The proper name for the Rust is IRON/OXIDE, or Hematite.
There are many different formms of Rust.
 Oxygen is the catalyst. 
Oxygen with no H2O = 0 rust
H2O with no O = 0 rust
H2O + O = Rust.
 More or less of each just affects the rate that it grows.
 A complete vacuum is the only 100% way of stopping it. 
Only removing the rusted area completely or using the proper acids can you otherwise stop it.
A vacuum (there is no moisture in a vacuum, that is why you put your a/c system in a vacuum before charging the system with refrigerant.)
Brings to mind something ,Have you ever shut the door on a freezer and then tried to immediately open the door again ? Notice how hard it is to do ?. Freezers use low pressure ( partial vacuum) to be frost free and reduce freezer burn on your food.
is the only non surgical( cut it out ) or chemical ( acid ) that eliminates it.

To remove iron oxide (rust) from steel, you can use methods such as:

1. **Mechanical methods:** Use abrasives like sandpaper, wire brushes, or abrasive pads to physically scrub off the rust.

2. **Chemical methods:** Apply rust-removing chemicals or solutions containing acids (like phosphoric acid or citric acid) to dissolve and remove the rust. Follow safety guidelines and use protective equipment when handling chemicals.

3. **Electrolysis:** Immerse the steel in an electrolyte solution and use an electric current to remove rust. This method is effective for intricate or delicate objects.

4. **Commercial rust removers:** There are various rust removal products available in the market that are specifically designed to dissolve rust.

After removing the rust, it's essential to protect the steel from air . Need to immediatley treat the surface with a Phosphate or prime/paint to seal the air out.

[torredcuda]

There would have to be 0% moisture in the air to stop rust. Even cars out in the desert have the paint burnt off from the sun and surface rust on the metal.

[jimynick]

" Going to have to have a talk with that lady. " Bonne chance mon ami. bonne chance!!

[cudamadd]

Dam good Question I think .The silent killer unfortunately