What is the difference between rust and pitting? Is there a visual or other way to tell? Is there any kind of "test kit" that can tell you if it is just rust or pitting?

If something is indeed pitted, I assume there is no way to restore?

Lastly, does the spray on re chroming work? I saw this on a video of Jay Lenos garage and it looks like it worked? Does anyone know the name of said product, cost and if it indeed works or not?

Pitting:



It can be filled, what are you dealing with?

Pitting is essentially deeper rust, rust that has been allowed to progress beyond the surface stage.

The only real cure is to either fill in the pits or polish them away.

Don't know about spray-on chroming but it sounds like some form of paint and probably will look like it...

They are the same thing. The iron in the steel turns into iron oxide. Whether is is called rust or pitting is only a matter of degree/semantics, the metal cannot be restored in either case.

[QUOTE=dsbrantjr;17795994]They are the same thing. The iron in the steel turns into iron oxide. Whether is is called rust or pitting is only a matter of degree/semantics, the metal cannot be restored in either case.[/QUOTE

Sure it can.

Small pits can be filed out; large ones can be filled in by small spot welds and then ground smooth...

Pitting describes the effect, and rusting the cause. Generally they're talking about the same issue, and the difference is the degree or depth of rust.

Others may also be referring to pitting from other causes, such as from chemical etching, or some people may intend a precise meaning, ie. pitting to mean deep pockmarks or dots (acne on steel) vs a broad area of rust, of any depth.

You also see people refer to pitting when describing plated steel, where you'll see rust dots (pits) because of the porosity of the plating. This type of pitting was classic on chrome auto bumpers for decades. Either way, it's all rust.

In any case, you can remove rust, but neither rust nor pitting are reversible. Once the steel is gone, it's gone for good.

Yes, if you see rust, then you know there is pitting.


Do you? There's always welding then grinding back to shape; remelting the steel and forming into replacement material, and other ways.


Post which one you ask about and I'll tell you if it works.