Category: CASE HISTORY SPOTLIGHT

A 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

 

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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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Fork trucks leased to a sauerkraut plant quickly lost resale value from exposure to a corrosive environment of brine, salt, and sauerkraut. The rental company therefore began applying Cortec® products as needed during monthly maintenance to slow down the corrosion. CorrVerter^® Rust Converter Primer was used to passivate rusty surfaces. EcoShield^® VpCI^®-386 was applied over painted metal surfaces, and CorShield^® VpCI^®-369 was used on moving metal parts. ElectriCorr^™ VpCI^®-239 was sprayed on exposed electrical connections. The rental company has seen a significant difference in the ability of the equipment to remain in resalable condition to the end of the lease period and has implemented the same preventative maintenance strategy on equipment leased and used in another corrosive industrial environment.

Read the full case history here.

Keywords: case history, preventative maintenance, sauerkraut corrosion, forklift maintenance, forklift corrosion, paint for metal, painting rusty surfaces, Cortec, rust primer

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A vehicle maintenance workshop in Europe was in the business of restoring car rims. They needed a way to deal with existing rust and protect against further rust long-term. Their solution was to remove loose rust with a wire brush and passivate the remaining rust with Cortec® CorrVerter®. VpCI®-396 Aluminum was applied as a topcoat, and VpCI®-368 D was used as an additional layer of protection for outdoor storage of the rims. The customer was very satisfied with the products and continued to use them on a regular basis.

To read the full case history, please visit: https://www.corteccasehistories.com/?s2member_file_download=access-s2member-level1/ch_640.pdf

Keywords: Case History Spotlight, restoring rusty car rims, passivate rust, CorrVerter, VpCI, outdoor storage, remove rust, vehicle maintenance, Cortec

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The ends of 30 feet (9 m) tubes used in fire protection systems were being missed during a fast-paced painting process on the production line. The manufacturer needed a rust preventative that could protect the ends of the tubes so they would be aesthetically pleasing to customers after being bundled and stored outside for 9-12 months.

The manufacturer decided to test EcoLine® 3690 biobased coating on a small bundle of bare steel pipes. A second bundle was coated with water-based paint for comparison. The bundles were stored outside for about eight months. At the end of the trial, the manufacturer was impressed with the performance of EcoLine® 3690 and adopted it as a replacement for the solvent-based rust preventative previously used to protect the ends of the tube bundles.

Read the full case history here.

Keywords: case history spotlight, rust preventative, outdoor storage, biobased coating, coating for outdoor storage, EcoLine 3690

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In 2008, the owner of a 1947 Chrysler Windsor decided to passivate the rusty front underbody and interior floor of his collector’s car. He chose to try Cortec® Coatings based on a good experience working with Cortec® products in the Cortec® sample department.

He started his winter restoration by scraping all the grease and grime off the front wheel drums, shock absorbers, and undercarriage. He applied just enough CorrVerter® Rust Converter Primer to stop the rust and followed this with a topcoat of VpCI®-386 Black when the CorrVerter® cured. He used the same two coatings on the rusty floor inside the car.

The owner was impressed with the coatings, especially since he did not have to worry about using flammable products or enduring unpleasant fumes while working in his garage with the heater on and the door closed. When doing brake work almost 14 years later, he was impressed to find that these areas were still clean, solid, and rust-free, with no “rust creep” coming out of the nuts and bolts.

To read the full case history, please visit: https://www.corteccasehistories.com/?s2member_file_download=access-s2member-level1/ch769.pdf

Keywords: collector car restoration, underbody rust, Chrysler Windsor rust, Cortec Coatings, Cortec samples, stopping underbody rust, Chrysler Windsor restoration, CorrVerter, rust converter, rust primer

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A refrigerator coil manufacturer was unsatisfied with the solvent-based paint they were using to coat the coils. Workers disliked the strong solvent smell and associated health hazards. Long-term corrosion protection was also deficient. By switching to water based VpCI®-386 in their dip tank, the manufacturer was able to reduce VOCs while improving corrosion performance and the worker environment.

Read the full case history here.

Keywords: solvent based paint alternative, switching to water based paint, coating refrigerator coils, case history spotlight, Cortec, VpCI-386, reduce VOCs, corrosion performance, worker health hazards

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A tube steel manufacturer needed a water-based corrosion inhibitor coating for the OD (outer diameter) of oil and gas industry pipes. In addition to protecting pipe externals until commissioning, the coating needed to be applied at 1 mil (25 µm) DFT, meet zero VOC requirements, and force-dry in an oven at 140 °F (60 °C) before stenciling.

A trial was done using Cortec® EcoShield 386 FD on several thousand pipes left to sit outside for one year near the Gulf of Mexico. The pipes were hydrotested before the coating was applied and then force dried for 22 minutes. At the end of a year in outdoor storage, the coating showed excellent 5B adhesion, and there was no rust on pipe ODs. Three other trials did similarly well.

The client was very satisfied with the product performance and planned to use it at other facilities. In contrast to the competitor product, EcoShield® 386 FD helped the manufacturer achieve longer protection and meet local VOC requirements at only 0.04 lbs/gal (5 g/L) VOC. It also allowed the manufacturer to save money by using less paint.

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Keywords: tube steel manufacturer, corrosion protection, water based coating, oil and gas industry pipes, zero VOC, use less paint, EcoShield, Cortec, corrosion inhibitor coating

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After successfully using Cortec® products in other areas of operation, one manufacturer decided to try to achieve longer lasting protection than with traditional paint by using Cortec® Coatings on a cooling tower exterior. The two parts of VpCI®– 395, a two-component (2K) primer, were mixed and given time for crosslinking, then applied to the metal surface that had been cleaned with acetone. Two coats of VpCI®-395 primer were used, followed by a topcoat of VpCI®-392 clear. The customer’s positive impressions of Cortec® products continued along with an interest in using more of them.

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Keywords: cooling tower, Cortec, Case History Spotlight, Cortec Coatings, preservation, coating, 2K primer, coating crosslinking, metal coatings