Abstract: An evaporative cooling system is disclosed. The system includes a housing including a metal base sheet and a metal side wall and having at least one opening fitted with an evaporative medium pad and an exhaust vent. A pump is configured to disperse water over the evaporative medium pad. A pan is configured to receive the water. The pump is configured to cooperate with the pan to recirculate the water. An exhaust fan is configured to draw air into the housing through the evaporative medium pad and out the exhaust vent. The metal side wall of the housing is at least partially pressed into the metal base sheet of the housing to form a joint having a corrosion resistant coating.