Outdoor fan Rusted
 

What caused our 9-month-old outdoor fan to rust like this?
It apparently supposed to be watertight and moisture proof.

Besides the appearance, it works fine.

Yes, I checked, it is to be used as a outdoor fan per manufacture.

https://www.talkofthevillages.com/fo...1&d=1689371306

Normally fans have a sealed motor on your picture vents are on top not sealed ours is not that design. Being outside humidity collects on everything. Also seems to be inferior powder coating.it appears to be on porch with overhang still is exposed to wind driven rainspray It maybe a fairly good fan, a good wire brush and a quality spray paint should address the cosmetics.

What caused it? The steel was painted without being primed. Chinese mass production techniques.

Sorry, I guess the photo in deceiving.
The section where the holes are is a housing for the light.
The top section housing the motor is sealed.

Is it possible to be rusting from the inside out?

Sorry about that then it’s a fairly inexpensive light fixture. As a suggestion I’d remove lamp clean rust prime and respray paint. If you purchase a new light fixture you will probably have same problem in 9 months.

Did the light kit rust?

The fan we can see looked ok?

I was at Dan’s Fan City yesterday buying a light kit for a fan and they had a couple of these white fans on display that were quite rusted and labeled as outdoor fans. I didn’t ask about it but I’m sure they’ll know if you give them a call! They were quite helpful there.

OP, if you want to save the fan (the light kit), you will need to go to the AUTOMOTIVE store, and get a suitable rust preventative, then a zinc based primer, and then automotive white paint. An alternative source is Eastwood Automotive products (Pennsylvania), you can call them and discuss your problem, I have used their products on 8 cars I have rebuilt from the ground up, and have never had the areas rust out again. Their website is: Eastwood Auto Restoration Supplies - Eastwood Auto, they have a whole line of rust preventative products.

If the fan was installed by the builder, it is still under the builder warranty. If you purchased it check your paperwork for warranty.

fan
 

poor workmenship when it was made...

Agree.

Or jus one spot was not painted and moisture got under it.

Moisture

A lot of China junk out there. Hunter sold its name to a China manufacturer. You get what you pay for on ceiling fans. Florida wearisome extremely tough on it. Pressure washing too, is rough on fans.

If you purchased the fan, was it sold as an outdoor fan? They differ from inside fans. Supposed to be resistant to corrosion ...... you'll notice I did not say "free from corrosion."

You are in Florida. Everything outdoors and in the garage that's metal rusts. Take it apart, sand, prime and repaint.