1800-4-CORTEC

Month: September 2023

News Alert: New Demo Video: VpCI®-426 Rust Removal Time-Lapse!

Rust removal with VpCI-426We are pleased to release another Cortec® demo video! The latest addition to our YouTube channel shows “How to Remove Rust in Less Than 1 Hour with VpCI®-426!” Fortunately for viewers, it takes less than a minute of time to watch this time-lapse and see what happens to a rusty piece of metal placed in Cortec’s VpCI®– 426 rust removal liquid.

The time-lapse format of this video gives an interesting perspective on Cortec® rust removal, allowing viewers to see pieces of rust fall off the metal in seemingly rapid succession. This accelerated view is a great way to grab the attention of your clients and social media network and introduce them to a rust removal solution that they can use in their own industrial settings.

As noted in the video description, actual rust removal speed will vary depending on the degree of rust, the concentration of VpCI®-426, and the temperature of the solution. For example, it will take longer to remove rust on a heavily rusted surface than a lightly rusted one. A stronger concentration of VpCI®-426 will remove rust more quickly than a higher dilution; however, diluting VpCI®-426 may provide enough rust removal power in certain cases while allowing the product to stretch farther for greater economy. Increasing the temperature of VpCI®-426 and agitating it within the container can also accelerate rust removal.

Whichever direction your rust concerns take you, this demo video is a fun place to start when looking for a simple rust removal answer for both you and your clients. Watch the rust removal timelapse here!

Keywords: rust removal, how to remove rust, Cortec, rust removal time lapse, remove rust on metal parts, time lapse videos, Cortec on YouTube, Cortec demo videos

For a PDF version please click here.

Case History Spotlight #652: New Rust Preventative for Auto Build-Ahead Program

Ecoline 3690 - rust preventativeA third-party packager of all-time buys for a major automaker was looking for a new rust preventative to use on parts packed for up to 10 years of aftermarket storage. A solvent-based rust preventative had been used for decades but was difficult to remove and raised concerns for workers and the environment. To find a possible alternative, they requested that Cortec® Laboratories test the performance of EcoLine® 3690 (a canola-oil based rust preventative that contains 72% USDA certified biobased content) according to automaker specs.

Results were considered successful. One camshaft came out of salt spray testing in very good condition with only some small corrosion spots (after one more day in testing than required). The other camshaft and cylinder head also came through humidity testing in very good condition except for some areas on intricate springs that had been difficult to coat by hand and areas where water had pooled on the cylinder head.

EcoLine® 3690 was written into the automaker’s specs for aftermarket engineering processes. The packaging company began using it when packing crankshafts, camshafts, and cylinder heads for long-term storage of all-time-buys and was very happy with the results and worker benefits.

To read the full case history, please visit: https://www.corteccasehistories.com/?s2member_file_download=access-s2member-level1/ch652.pdf

Keywords: automotive industry, rust preventative, auto build ahead program, biobased rust preventative, Big Three automakers, EcoLine, aftermarket auto parts, automaker rust preventative specs, Cortec, Case History Spotlight

 

For a PDF version please click here.

Case History Spotlight #776: Preventing Rust on Construction Equipment

Preventing Rust on Construction Equipment

A manufacturer of front-end loaders and skid steers needed corrosion protection on unpainted metal components during outdoor storage for up to six months or a year. The customer had been using a sticky oil-based product that looked terrible because it collected dirt and bugs. It was also at risk of washing off in harsh storms.

In the search for a removable rust preventative product that looked better, had low VOCs, and only needed to be applied once, the manufacturer (who had a longstanding relationship with Cortec®) tested VpCI®-391 to ensure compatibility with fiberglass and painted areas of the equipment. This confirmed, they started using VpCI®-391 on unpainted metal parts and other sensitive areas, including wheel rims, bolt heads, and hydraulic boxes. The product offered effective protection. Complaints about appearance stopped, and equipment distributors often leave VpCI®-391 on permanently. Thanks to VpCI®-391, the company has successfully replaced an oil-based product with one that is water-based, has low VOCs, and looks good.

To read the full case history, please visit: https://www.corteccasehistories.com/?s2member_file_download=access-s2member-level1/ch776.pdf

Keywords: Cortec, Case History Spotlight, preventing rust, preventing rust on equipment, corrosion protection, rust preventatives, low VOC rust preventative, low VOC coating, removable coating, water based rust preventatives

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PRESS RELEASE: Anticorrosion Coatings to Help Manufacturers Achieve Rust-Free Shipment!

Manufacturers of metal goods have the added concern of making sure their components or pieces of finished equipment reach customers in like-new condition. One of the biggest enemies is corrosion, which attacks bare metal surfaces and sometimes bleeds right through the final coating. Cortec® is here to help manufacturers find practical, effective protective coating options that will help them achieve their goal of corrosion-free shipment to the end user and add value to the manufacturing process.

Permanent Coatings for Metal Goods

Many manufacturers may simply want to use a Cortec® water-based coating in place of their current coatings for better protection. This was the result for a manufacturer of HVAC units that were already rusting through two coats of primer and a topcoat before they could even be prepped for overseas export at the logistics site. The manufacturer worked closely with Cortec® to select a coating system that made sense for their application and ended up with one primer coat of VpCI®-375 and one topcoat of VpCI®-386 (color and viscosity adjusted to meet their specs). This decreased the coating system from three coats of paint to two coats and reduced overall coating thickness while providing the desired protection with two water-based coatings. In another case, a refrigerator coil manufacturer adopted VpCI®-386 in their dip tank and thus replaced a strong-smelling solvent-based coating that did not meet their performance standard.

Force-Dry Coating for Fast-Paced Paint Lines

Often, manufacturers have fast-paced paint lines where components need to be dipped or sprayed and dried quickly. Otherwise, the painted parts may stick together if packed or piled up while the coating is still warm and soft. Force-dry ovens—which can be as small as a cabinet or as large as a tunnel big enough to send a bulldozer through—help speed up the process. However, they require the use of coatings with good hot hardness. EcoShield® 386 FD was designed for such applications as a permanent coating that inhibits corrosion and also reduces the risk of parts sticking together. Initially used to coat tube steel pipes, EcoShield® 386 FD is also great for coating metal hooks, castings, and a wide range of other parts that need to be coated quickly and force-dried. Designed to meet local “zero VOC” regulations for the initial customer, EcoShield® 386 FD has the added advantage of an extremely low VOC of 0.04 lbs/gal (5 g/L). 

Removable Coatings for Painted and Unpainted Surfaces

Certain manufacturing situations are better suited to the use of temporary or removable coatings that provide protection during the crucial shipping period. VpCI®-391 is an outstanding water-based coating that is easy to work with and can be used on both painted and unpainted surfaces. One major equipment manufacturer has found it to be a viable option for protection of bolted joints and threads that can only be coated with products that will not cause slippage and failure. VpCI®– 391 can also be sprayed directly over the final equipment coating. This has been done for protection of fire trucks during transit. It is also a great idea for extra protection against chipping and saltwater on equipment traveling overseas. VpCI®-391 is so inconspicuous that retailers sometimes leave it on the equipment. However, it can easily be sprayed off with a power washer to reveal the new coating underneath, if desired. Topping off these benefits, VpCI®-391 also has a low VOC of 0.4 lbs/gal (48 g/L).

Make Corrosion Protection Easier from the Start

Painting finished metal goods with the right protective coating at the manufacturing site gets the finished product off to a good start. When new parts and equipment arrive at their destination rust-free and in good condition, without complicated degreasing required, manufacturers not only avoid losses but also foster a positive supplier-customer relationship that is invaluable. Contact Cortec® today for help improving your protective coatings system and processes during manufacturing.

Keywords: Cortec, paint for metal, manufacturers coatings, temporary coatings, export coatings, corrosion protection, protective coatings, force dry coatings, rust preventatives for bolts, low VOC coatings

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NEWS ALERT: A Little Preventative Maintenance Goes a Long Way: Mining and Ready-Mix Trucks

Heavy equipment is essential to the mining and construction industries. However, work crews face two major upkeep challenges: (1) Harsh environments lead to corrosion and shortened service life and (2) Spilled cement and asphalt are difficult to remove once hardened. Cortec® is seeking to help crews minimize these problems with three handy preventative maintenance coatings.

Preventative Maintenance for Mining

Option 1: Annual Preventative Maintenance

VpCI®-391 is a water-based coating that can be sprayed directly over bare or painted metal. It leaves behind an inconspicuous non-tacky coating that inhibits corrosion and thus extends the service life of the equipment. Since VpCI®-391 is technically a removable coating that can wear off over time, it should typically be reapplied once a year during annual preventative maintenance activities. Heavy equipment owners/users who have applied VpCI®-391 in this way have seen a significant improvement in service life in harsh conditions.

Option 2: Long-Term Preventative Maintenance

For workers who want to get more time out of their “paint job,” EcoShield® VpCI®-386 serves as an outstanding permanent water-based corrosion inhibitor coating. It can be applied as a very thin clear coat over bare metal and painted surfaces, or, if desired, tinted to match the truck’s color theme. It can slow down the corrosion process for multiple years without reapplication.

Option 3: Corrosion Protection + Easier Cleaning

MCI® Creteskin® is a great option for ready-mix or asphalt trucks that are incredibly difficult to clean after concrete or asphalt residues dry on the surface. Spraying a coating of MCI® Creteskin® on the equipment before it is used leaves behind a coating that cures to a slightly waxy finish and prevents adhesion of cementitious materials. This makes it easier to clean hardened materials with high pressure water instead of abrasive blasting or acid removal. It also inhibits corrosion. Touchup can be done as needed to areas of the coating that wear away after normal use. Although it takes more initial thought and effort to apply a protective coating before the problem happens, doing so pays off in the long run by helping equipment last longer and making it easier to maintain. Take some time today to consider what situations your equipment will be up against and contact Cortec® for help picking the best coating for your application.

Keywords: preventative maintenance, mining truck maintenance, cleaning ready-mix trucks, Cortec, protective coating, construction equipment maintenance checklist, building a maintenance program for heavy construction equipment, how do you clean a concrete mixer truck, corrosion inhibitors, remove concrete buildup from equipment

 

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