If I can put one in my radiator to keep it from rusting, can I get one to wire to the frame and engine block to keep the car from rusting? If not, why not?

 

Doesn't work quite the same way - it works in the cooling system because of electrolosys (dissimilar metals in the system making it act like a battery of sorts) - electrolosys causes corrosion on the "weaker" metal, which in this case, would be the zinc pill - the zinc pill is what gets attacked first.

 

Actually it works in nearly exactly the same way. You couldn't do it with a single lump of zinc in one location though, the electrical resistance of the steel would mean that it would have a limited range of protection. You'd need it in several locations. Maybe even a coating of zinc all over the steel, like if you'd dipped the whole thing into hot, molten zinc. I should probably get a patent on that.

 

That's crazy talk apeiron, that'll never work. Listen to the dreamer here, like one day they'll land on the moon

Homer, go into a boating store and ask about zinc sacrificial anodes. They do it a lot on boats. Just solder them on your frame at different points... Sure easier to just paint the thing though..

 

Sounds a lot like galvanization. Not sure, but I think that's been invented already

 

I was wondering when someone would pick up on that.

 

He's such a wiseass, I love it