How to Protect a Metal From Being Corroded
- 1). Clean the metal surface that needs protection. Use a cleaning detergent and solvent that degreases the surface and removes any previous coatings. Scrub the surface with a wire brush, if necessary. Remove any visible rust spots as they will continue to oxidize even beneath a coating once they have invaded the metal.
- 2). Dry the metal thoroughly. Contact with oxygen and water is the catalyst for beginning the oxidation.
- 3). Spray a coat of metal primer paint (rust inhibitive, if possible) on metal surfaces and parts that can be coated with primer. This includes such items as metal car frames, the underside of the lawnmower body, metal lawn furniture and metal barbecue grills. Allow the primer to dry and coat with either more paint or another coat of primer, if needed.
- 4). Coat tools such as garden shovels, rakes or hoes with a coat of paste wax once they are cleaned. Rub the wax into the surface of the metal and wipe off any excess, but don't wipe away the protective layer of wax on the metal. This will inhibit oxidization while the tools are not in use. These types of metal surfaces that cannot be painted should be cleaned after each use and periodically recoated with the wax.
- 5). Rub or spray a protective lubricant coating onto metal parts that wax or paint will inhibit their use or are moving. This applies to things such as drill bits, saw blades, lawnmower blades and hand tools. If you are protecting woodworking tools, use a lubricant that will not harm or mar the wood if it comes in contact during use.
- 6). Paint metal surfaces on a home with an exterior primer after cleaning thoroughly. Coat the primer with an exterior paint to protect the surfaces from corrosion.
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