Published a separate and in The Journal of Rust, 1987, 43, 95-135

EFFECTS OF A SALTY ENVIRONMENT
ON FORD AND CHEVROLET TRUCKS^1,2

Departments of Vehicle Studies, University of Southern Maine

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of a salt water enviroment on Ford and Chevy pickup trucks. Two 1987 Chevys and two 1987 Fords were divided into a control group ( a Ford and a Chevy in a non-salty environment) and an experimental group (a Ford and a Chevy in a salty environment).
At the end of a 12 month test, the two groups were very different in levels of rust.There was an increase in rust only on the Ford in the experimental group. The Chevy in the experimental group and the trucks in the control group did not have any rust on them.

A. INTRODUCTION

Trucks usually rust over time. Some rust in the frame, others on the body. It has been discovered that salt increases the rusting of steel. Empirical studies have substantiated these beliefs in part. Johnson (1) found that Ford trucks are effected more by salt than Chevys. In another study, Wyman (3) showed that Ford uses a different kind of anti-rust solution than Chevy. Foggs (2) and Milligan (4) have both found that Ford has had a history of rusting with their vehicles. These studies suggest that there is a difference in how Ford and Chevy rust-proof their trucks. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of a saltwater environment on Ford and Chevy trucks.

B. METHOD
1. Subjects

The subjects were two new 1987 Ford F-150’s and two new 1987 Cheverolet CK-15’s.

2. Measuring Instuments

a. Michigan Rust Level Test. This test was developed by Allman (5) to effectivily find the amount of rust on steel.
b. Rusty Jones Rustproof Test. This was developed by (6) to be used to test vehicles his company rust-proofed.

3. Procedure

On January 2, 1987, a 1987 Ford and Chevy were placed side by side in a used car dealership parking lot near the ocean in Portland Maine, and a 1987 Ford and Chevy were placed in the parking lot of Toms Used Autos, in Dyersville Iowa. The subjects were left alone until January 2, 1988. On January 2, 1988 the Michigan Rust Test and the Rusty Jones Test was performed on all four trucks. The tests were performed by technitions from the Rusty Jones Company, and by certified testers of the Michigan Rust level test. These were to be done at the same time and later that day results were exchanged at meeting between the technitions and the testers at the University of Southern Maine in Westbrook Maine.

C. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Following the 12 month program the experimental groups Ford F-150 showed a significant form of rust and the experimental groups Chevy CK-15 had no rust. The control groups trucks had no rust at all. What this whole experiment showed was, that Fords rust-proofing system is not as effective in handling a saltwater environment as Chevrolets. Further studies might explore how Ford could fix this rust problem.

REFERENCES

1. Johnson, B.E. Rust Factors, California: Redlon Books 1983.
2. Foggs, J.R. Trucks, Maine: Portland Press 1978.
3. Wyman, B.J. Steel, Michigan: Clydsdale 1954.
4. Milligan, T.D. Ford and Chevrolet-Two Rivarlies, Washington: Iowa Press 1985.
5. Allman, G.R. Testing Rust, Texas: Lone Ranger 1976.
6. Jones, R.J. Rustproofing, Michigan: Deco Automotive Publications 1986.

Department of Vehicle Study
University of Southern Maine
1360 A UMSM
Westbrook, Maine 07668

¹ Received in the Editorial Office on July 4, 1988, and published immediately at Portland, Maine. Copyright by the Casco Press.

² This experiment was supported in partby the Department of Motor Vehicles granted to Bob Dyke, Richard Betts, and Patrick Jordan.

³ Request for reprints should be sent to the third author at the address shown at the end of this article.