Where the
world gathers for metal finishing
Q&As since 1989


-----

Rust prevention methods for science project

HI,

I am an eighth grade student and I am doing a science fair project to test which rust prevention method works the best. May I have some lists of different methods on how you would prevent rust. (Like paint etc.)

Thanks,

Alex M.
student - The Woodlands, Texas
2004

What ways are there of preventing rusting. Open to all suggestions.

Chris B.
student - London, Surrey, UK
2004

---

Hi, Alex; hi, Chris. Here are some possibilities --

Make the item out of wood or plastic. Make it out of gold or platinum, or any metal other than steel. Paint it. Electroplate it. Keep it clean & dry. Dip it in chocolate. Put it in the freezer. Keep it warm so water cannot condense on it. Galvanically protect it. Use a commercial rust preventative. Apply a current to counteract the rusting. Submerse it in oil. Wrap it in plastic wrap. Put a dessicant package in with it. Put it in your mom's treated silverware box. Coat it with grease. Attach it to an electric toothbrush to shake any water off of it. There are probably a couple of other methods mentioned in the chapter of your science book that you were probably supposed to read :-)

Good luck!

Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
2004

The chocolate coating sound interesting, although a little messy. I think if you add a hard candy dip you could increase the salt spray performance and improve the handling characteristics of the product.

John Biacsi
sheet metal stampings - Medina, Ohio
August 18, 2009