Rusty tailspring!!

[cjensen]

As I walked by the tail of the airplane one day this week, I noticed some discoloration on the tailwheel spring coming thru the paint.



I know this is fairly common since it is steel, but I hoped paint would prevent this. I did not prime it though.

I suppose the best thing to do is to take the paint off, and wax it or oil it?

[sprucemoose]

I'd take the paint off, give it a good cleaning, followed by a good primer and paint. My Rustoleum-primered tailspring hasn't shown a speck of rust in 5 years.

[Steve Barnes]

I wouldn't oil or wax it, too hard to remove before painting. Clean very well, when finished clean again. Prime with good quality rattle can primer. That should protect the metal from rusting.

[mannanj]

Discounting certain Rustoleum primers--------regular primer will not prevent rust or any other form of oxidation. It has to be topcoated with paint to be effective.

Primer wars go on forever, but plain ole grey primer needs to be topcoated with regular paint shortly after aplication to provide protection and to prevent any kind of oxidation down the road.

Wish someone would prove me wrong---I'd like a one coat shot shot at it too!