vpi jmw tonarm rust yes rust

no rust here, but the damping oil for the jmw arm attracted some (desparate) ants- quite a few of them. i got rid of the oil and rubbed a little black flag on my precious plinth!
i hope this doesn't screw up the sound too much...
i don't want to be the science teacher here, but metal corrodes in the repeated presence of liquids - perhaps used in the record-cleaning routine of certain persons...

I would be more concerned about the chemicals in the Black Flag you rubbed on the the plinth of your VPI.Have you read what`s in there.

The entire Tonearm is not aluminum, nor stainless-steel it is Bead Plasted for a Matte Finish, then Industrial Hard-Chromed. If it was touched with sweaty fingers & not wiped off during high humidity and the table covered it will rust in time. Industrial Hard Chroming is to be able to withstand 500-2000 hours of salt-air exposure in a ventilated enviorment. However in a non-ventilated it will pit/brown in a matter of 48-72 hours. Call VPI see if they had any other reports, as I'm sure they have them done by a sub contracted outside facility. It may have been a bad chroming batch they received, & VPI quality control will not spot it till it fails by the end user. I too am a VPI owner, however I have no issues with my arms finish. Do not use WD-40 as it attracts dust, & you don't want to take the chance of getting any type of lubicating fluid near your Cartridge. Good Luck!

Audiobugged, thanks for your in depth response. I waiting to hear back from VPI and will let everyone know what happens when I do.

In case anyone's interested. According to VPI the arm is composed of aluminum and stainless steel, therfore whatever it is, it isn't rust. They suggested aluminum cleaner, or I can send the arm back to them to have it refinished.