How To Prevent Your Home Items From Rusting Or Corrosion?

Lavish and luxurious items can turn rustic and disgusting with time. Preventing any item from any form of discoloration, especially rust, is essential for any homeowner. Rust takes away the appeal, destroys the texture and structure of any metal item with the exposure to moisture and oxygen in the air.

The disaster of 1967 where the Silver Bridge fell was a result of continuous rusting of steel metals. Keeping all the minerals safe from rusting is fundamental. Even though it can be an expensive affair, keeping rust at bay ensures proper maintenance and increases durability levels. Here are some of how you can prevent your home items from any corrosion and rusting.

Bluing

If worried about your small stainless steel items corroding, here is one of the most effective ways to prevent it. The procedures create a protective shield or coat on your subject. It involves converting the rust also called iron oxide (red) to iron oxide (black) thus the name black oxidizing or bluing. Bluing is of two types:

• Hot Bluing

Cleaning the item using sandpaper is the first step. You can also use a ball of steel wool to remove the dirt on the surface. Use a preferable cleaning solution such as acetone and denatured alcohol. Dip the item in the solution for around 15mins to 20 minutes. The aim is to remove any grease, oil, and dirt on the subject. Rinse for another 5 minutes to remove all cleaning solutions.

Take potassium nitrate and sodium hydroxide solution and heat it. When it reaches 135 °C to 155 °C, place the item inside the bluing solution for another 30minutes to 45 minutes. The metal gets a blue-black shade on the surface. You can now remove it from the solution. Dip in water for another 30minutes to an hour to displace the oil bath.

• Cold bluing

It follows the same procedure as for hot bluing. The only difference is that it does not involve heating the solution. After rinsing the oil out, you lightly burn the item and apply the bluing solution. Continue with the process until the blue-black coat is to your preference.

Use of Polymer Coating

Studies have delved into polymer coating as a way of protecting steel from corrosion and rust. It is as a result of the viability of the compound for use in different economic applications. Being carbon-based, the polymer coats create a barrier that prevents the metal components from rust.

According to the Journal Of Adhesion Science And Technology, 2016, this form of coating involves the use of polymers made of synthetic materials such as plastics or resins. The essentiality of polymeric surfaces out there on the market is their durability and sustenance against corrosion. They are almost immune to degradation from heating, exposure to salt, moisture, and even chemicals.

Polymer coats are resistant to acidic conditions and strong abrasions. Also, they are not prone to stains and have low levels of vinyl adhesion. You can use polymers for flooring and wallpaper inks as they dry fast. Besides, they are flexible to use and highly consistent in their application.

Another method of applying the polymer coats is through spraying (electrostatic sprays). Charging the item is the first step, then you spray it with the polymer in powder form. The particles attach themselves to the object creating a thick or thin film all round. Finally, place the object in the oven and allow room for the particles to fuse even further to form a uniform coat.

Galvanize Your Metal Objects

Galvanizing objects protects them from corrosion and rust even in case of a break in the protection layer. The process involves putting a coat on the surface of your steel or iron metal items. The coat is commonly made up of zinc. To galvanize any metal object, conduct hot electroplating or galvanizing.

A hot bath containing molten zinc is the primary ingredient for galvanizing your home items. Once the process is complete, you go through many years without having to conduct continuous maintenance. Besides, its costs are low, easy to apply, and service free for a long time.

All you have to do is galvanize at a temperature of 830 °C to 870 °C. Allow the zinc to mold and bond with the metal (steel). Galvanization is essential for outdoor metal applications and use. Electroplating involves the use of electricity to apply the zinc coating on the steel. However, the zinc coat comes in a thinner layer in comparison with dipping, which makes it unsuitable for outdoor use. 

Organic Coating

If in need of a low cost but a highly effective means of protecting your home items, then you can use natural coating methods such as painting. Not only does it create a protective barrier against any form of a corrosive element, but it also sustains the appeal of the item. Besides, it prevents air and water penetration avoiding contact.

All you have to do is:

• Clean your item thoroughly, especially the surface area. Remove all dirt and prior paint.

• Use a wet rug to remove any remaining dirt after using the sandpaper or brush.

• Apply a base coat which comprises of a metal primer whose aim is to increase the durability and adhesion of the topcoat.

• Once the surface is dry, sand the surface once more and gently clean out the dust using a moist or wet rug.

• You can apply the final coat of paint of your choice.

Conclusion

There are many ways of ensuring your items retain their stature. Regular maintenance is one of them which involves using different methods to keep them from rusting or corroding. With either of the above processes, your items are safe from rusting and corrosion at all times.