Important Questions To Ask About Your Rust Prevention Needs

Before choosing a rust preventative, we recommend asking the following questions to ensure you get the best product for your needs. We carry a number of rust preventatives that work for a variety of applications. Be sure to check out our Applications page to find out if the product you're considering has all the properties you need for maximum effectiveness.

Are parts stored indoors, outdoors or outdoors in a shed?

Items stored in different areas require different products to protect them properly.
How long is the shipping or storage time?

Rust preventives differ vastly in the amount of time they protect.
What general type of protection film is required?

Some rust preventives dry completely to the touch; others will have a tacky feel.
What type of metal(s) is involved?

Choosing the wrong rust preventive for your metal can cause your metal to rust.
What is the desired dry-to-handle time?

If metal is handled before the solvents in the rust preventive evaporate it may cause the rust preventive to be removed.
What is the application temperature range?

If the temperature is not conducive to allowing the rust preventive to dry, then the rust preventive will not be able to perform properly.
Is the application by spray, dip or brush?

Different rust preventives perform better when applied by certain means.
Are corrosive fumes and vapors present?

Corrosive fumes and vapors can eat away at rust preventives, so be sure to choose a rust preventive that will withstand them.
Are parts exposed to high humidity or salt spray conditions?

High humidity and salt spray can eat away at rust preventives, so choose a rust preventative formulated to handle these conditions.
Must the protective coating be removed before plating or painting?

Proper adhesion of coating requires a clean surface.
If the coating isn’t removed, should it have lubricating qualities?

Not all rust preventives provide lubrication.
What is the storage temperature range?

Different rust preventives protect at different temperature ranges.
Are parts wet when introduced to the rust preventive?

Not all rust preventives displace water, so be sure to choose a rust preventive that does.