Metal rust

[southalabama]

This is a hollow metal spindle on a metal bench. It appears like stress cracks running down the spindle and it’s blown out. There hasn’t been anything to hit it and doesn’t appear anyway for water to have gotten into it after it’s manufactured.

What’s happening?

Fixable?

 

[Bert_]

Water always finds a way. That looks like what's happened.

 

[Wrench97]

Might be a welded seam rotting out from condensation on the inside.

 

[Spud McGee]

Wire brush, sand blaster, paint strip disc, etc. Knock off as much of the existing paint and loose rust. Then seal up that gaping hole. And then prime and paint it.

 

[Zeke]

Fixable if you cut it out. Usually what you see is 25% of the problem.

 

[BillK]

Water got in it and it froze ? I have had that happen on metal outdoor furniture.

 

[PCustoms]

Water got in it and it froze ? I have had that happen on metal outdoor furniture.

My first thought too.

But I think OP is in Alabama.....

 

[finn]

Freeze damage looks like that.

 

[May Pop]

Powder coating failure?

 

[kaymccampbell]

My first thought too.

But I think OP is in Alabama.....

Alabama freezes. That's freeze damage. Copper pipes look just like that when they pop. It filled with water somehow.

 

[Leaflessshadetree]

Should be easy enough fix to replace that spindle. Trying to patch will probably be more work with poorer results.

 

[southalabama]

Freeze is possible even though I’m 3 miles from the Florida line but still having trouble figuring out how that much water could have gotten into it.

I’m afraid there is a likelihood that the rust from the inside will just blow it out.

It’s for mom. So, I’ll add cutting it out and replacing the spindle to the list. It’s a big list.

Dad restored vintage cars and he had a rule. Well actually a lot of rules. He didn’t buy those that had been repainted. He was afraid of what was lurking underneath. I’m afraid I’ll end up replacing more that one spindle and if it’s water there will be many. His other rule also applies. Metal doesn’t heal.

 

[Leaflessshadetree]

Water starts getting in as humidity on hot humid days. Night comes and as things cool off air gets drawn in. Water droplets condense on the metal and drips down to collect in the bottom. Next day as things warm up it pushes air out. Repeat the cycle almost every day for a few years.

 

[joe_padavano]

That's freeze damage. Water has gotten into it.

 

[jubilee]

Looks like rust jacking to me. Not necessarily water freezing, but
definitely water intrusion on bare metal. Rust jacking is an amazingly powerful force

 

[Zeke]

Drill a small weep hole at the base of each baluster. Shoot some rust inhibitor in there. Lots of things from body cavity wax to WD40 (which won't last long). Just a Q-tip with rusty metal primer will help.

Repairing the blown out one is futile.