![]() This reacts with iron oxide, causing it to separate from the metal surface. It is a product that speeds up the process of removing rust from a metal surface. Then apply an underbody wax (on the undercarriage of a vehicle, for example) for long-term rust prevention. It may take two to four coats to fully convert a surface. This means the converter has finished curing. Wait for the entire rusted surface to turn purplish-black. Painted or coated surfaces - Rust converters won’t fully cure these, and the surface will stay sticky when they’re applied.īefore applying a converter, use a wire brush or wheel to slough off flaking rust from the area to be protected (rather than sealing it in), then clean and degrease it so that any contaminants present won’t interfere with the conversion of iron oxide.If you want to protect small rust spots with paint surrounding them, use a rust remover instead to saturate the area and get into those zones. If the surface is a mix of pre-existing paint and/or bare metal with rust, start with a rust encapsulator. Mixed surfaces - For example, rust and bare metal, or a mix of original paint and rust.Bare metal - If a rust converter is applied to clean metal, it could flash rust.Heavy, flaky rust - scaly rust that has begun pitting the surface and has covered all of the metal.Medium rust - areas completely covered in substantial rust but not mixed with bare metal or surrounded by other coatings. ![]() Vulnerable automotive parts that need rust converters include the undercarriage, the wheel wells, and the area around the windscreen or bumper. When to Use ItĪs equipment and vehicles age, they need regular rustproofing as protection from corrosion. It’s not UV-stable, however, and isn’t meant to be a top coat but a paintable primer. This layer acts as a barrier or protective coating.Ī converter eliminates the need to sandblast rust, so less time and energy is involved in the process. Its active ingredients, phosphoric acid or tannic acid (or a combination of both) and an organic polymer, convert iron oxide into an inert layer of iron phosphate, which is black. How Does It Work?Ī rust converter works as a two-part system with rust as the activator. They’re used extensively to restore, preserve, and stabilize iron-based items of historical importance, such as museum artifacts and collections, as well as architectural elements and outdoor sculpture.Ĭonservators utilize rust conversion products for artifacts not containing heavy chloride-induced corrosion (objects not heavy in salts or near saltwater). The National Center for Preservation Technology and Training ( NCPTT) explains that rust converters are essential in conservation. They are also used on domestic outdoor fittings and fixtures, like fences, gates, and iron railings. Rust converters are usually applied to objects difficult to sandblast, such as cars, trucks, trailers, industrial equipment and machinery, farming equipment, sheet metal, and the exteriors of storage tanks. Containing a complex organic chelate base and epoxy resin, the RC900 is free of lead, zinc, and chromium. It penetrates rust 7-10 times deeper than standard converters. Non-flammable and non-corrosive, its water-based formula isn’t toxic to humans and the environment.Īnother rust converter that we recommend for maximum effectiveness is Dinitrol RC900. It doubles as a surface latex primer that can be painted on. Our favorite is Corroseal Rust Converter and Metal Primer. This then paves the way for another product to do the rustproofing. Rather, they’re used to convert rust to an inert compound that forms a barrier layer against corrosion. Rust converters aren’t meant to be rust proofers. You need to apply a top coat to the surface after it is cured. Warning: Rust converters need 100% rust present for them to work correctly and to fully cure. All you need to do is dust off loose rust and clean soiled areas before application. Rust converters have the advantage of being less invasive, as they involve little preparation. A phosphoric acid-based rust converter prevents rust from returning, but it’s not the complete solution. They work best with rust that’s worse than a surface discoloration. Converters are typically applied to rust you can’t remove. This means heavily rusted areas are turned into a protective coating. What Is a Rust Converter?Ī rust converter is a water-based chemical treatment that turns iron oxide into a more stable form, such as iron tannate. Some metals, like bronze, can form a protective layer of corrosion called a “patina.” Iron corrosion, however, is destructive, not protective. Both converters and removers interfere with this process but in different ways. It results when oxygen naturally mixes with iron.
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