Dumb question, maybe; I want to add backup sensors so I need to drill holes on the chrome bumper, but I'm afraid it may lead to rusting in the bumper on the hole area...

Anyone done it and can say if rust develops?
Thx!

 

I have not done it. But I have drilled holes in other metal things and it WILL rust. You are creating a weak point and an exposed point. You can prevent it from happening very easily by painting or otherwise coating the exposed area using an anti-rust coating of some sort.

I don't have a specific product to recommend, but there are tons of good things out there.

 

Great!!! I added these a couple/few weeks ago to my bumper and never even thought twice about this. Now, this morning when all the snow has melted off the bumper, I see rust around the sensor holes. It is only surface rust, but still. HELP ME!!! I am not much into the body work on vehicles, so I don't even know where to start. If I put silicone (which I need to to hold the sensor in place more fimr) around the holes, will this provide a rust barrier? What are my options to my self-induced problem here?

Thanks everyone!
Jon

 

It would help but only if you seal both sides(front and back of the hole) Your best bet would be to remove the sensors and apply a good rust inhibitor all around the exposed area of the hole.

 

Using a Zinc Chromate would be your best bet to prevent rust. I have years of experience working on the airframes of helos so I know what I am talking about. Whenever we have to fab up a bullet patch or a custom piece we completely coat it in zinc chromate a few times to help with corrosion resistance. It seems to work good no helos have fallen out of the sky yet under my work

 

Maybe pull the sensors out and paint the exposed edges of the hole?

http://automotivetouchup.com/touchupdirections.htm

 

Second the zinc chromatic recommendations. All silicone tends to do is trap moisture next to the metal, making the problem worse. Might try the local hardware store.

 

Zinc chromate primer is intended for aluminum. Zinc phosphate primer is more appropriate for ferrous metals.

Drilling chrome plated steel parts is asking for trouble. The plating is very hard and will usually crack around the hole even if it isn't noticeable. Even after trying to seal the exposed metal with whatever product, moisture will eventually make its way between the chrome plating and steel causing corrosion.

 

I installed my backup sensors a few weeks ago and it's been thru the car wash and rain about 3 times each and no sign of rust yet. I used a small brush and painted the insides of the holes with flat black krylon.

 

Sorry for old thread revival but curious how the holes held up to rust beyond three weeks.