Radiator coolant
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Instructor
Joined: Jul 2014
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Radiator coolant
Back in 1970 it wasn't good enough to put just antifreeze in your car for protection. There was a thing called "solder boom". This is where the solder used to assemble your radiator would react with the metal and corrode. Prestone sold a nice little product called "anti rust". People would wonder why would you use this product and not use just Antifreeze. The Anti rust would negate the effects of Solder boom and Antifreeze alone would not. The Anti Rust was used in addition to your Antifreeze.
Is this type of corrosion no longer an issue with modern Antifreeze? Does current Antifreeze contain a chemical to stop this type of corrosion? Are the solders used today more compatible with the metal composition of the radiators?
I used to buy and get rid of my cars every 3 yrs so this has not been something on my mind for the past 30 yrs. Now that I have a classic Vette again I want it to last. Any input on this subject would be appreciated.
Thanks in advance.
Note: The term "Solder Boom" was reference right on the can of Anti Rust. This was much more of an issue with Heater Cores.
Is this type of corrosion no longer an issue with modern Antifreeze? Does current Antifreeze contain a chemical to stop this type of corrosion? Are the solders used today more compatible with the metal composition of the radiators?
I used to buy and get rid of my cars every 3 yrs so this has not been something on my mind for the past 30 yrs. Now that I have a classic Vette again I want it to last. Any input on this subject would be appreciated.
Thanks in advance.
Note: The term "Solder Boom" was reference right on the can of Anti Rust. This was much more of an issue with Heater Cores.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 2,071
Likes: 147
From: S Nevada
The only thing I can think of was maybe older radiators were built with a now obsolete solder. Not that corrosion cannot happen, I doubt any part of our corvettes were designed to exceed 45 yrs. Lol. My replacement radiator is all aluminum. The brass and copper unit long gone. I have never seen the product you mention, and I have been a car guy since the 70's. Certainly not nowadays anyway.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2014
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Prestone Anti Rust
Well it seems they still make this. So.... it must still be relevant. I wonder if it mentions "solder boom" still on the label on the back like it did back in 1970.
Here is the link on Amazon where it is still for sale.
http://www.amazon.com/Prestone-AS117...ews/B001DKNS2I
I wonder what Prestone has to say about the Anti Rust vs Antifreeze.
Here is the link on Amazon where it is still for sale.
http://www.amazon.com/Prestone-AS117...ews/B001DKNS2I
I wonder what Prestone has to say about the Anti Rust vs Antifreeze.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,222
Likes: 93
From: shelbyville West Michigan
well, I've been wrenching a long time, since early 80's, and I've never heard of "Solder Boom", or any reason to put additives in anti-freeze. I do recall rejuvinator products to use when the antifreeze was "worn out", meaning the lube/additive package, not the Ethylene Glydol. This was considered snake oil, like battery tablets, gas line magnets, etc.
Proper flushing and maintenance intervals negates having to use anything, IMO, but just for fun, I googled "Solder Boom". the only mention of it is this thread. does not appear to be any existing phenomenon, so it's probably something made up to sell a product.
Proper flushing and maintenance intervals negates having to use anything, IMO, but just for fun, I googled "Solder Boom". the only mention of it is this thread. does not appear to be any existing phenomenon, so it's probably something made up to sell a product.
