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


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Plastic dip

I need to dip several parts in plastic to protect them from rust. Are such kits available?

Rick Laplante
Homeowner - Lansing, Michigan, USA
2006

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First, plastic covers a world of different possibilities, so what do you mean?
Second, you do not say what the part size is or what it is made of.
Third, paint prevents rust, so does oil. Grease does it even better. So exactly what are you trying to do?
PS, most hardware stores sell a vinyl (plastic) dip for tool handles.

James Watts
- Navarre, Florida

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Hi Rick,

James Watt hit it on the head ! He mentioned something I was unaware of ... a hardware store vinyl plastic dip. There are commercial vinyl dips called Plastisols but you'd need heat to cure them.

Methinks I'll wander down to our local hardware store ... but feel that they may not have that dip material.

One U.K. guy came up with a very interesting idea for the handle of some machine.

He got some PVC pipe with a slightly smaller I.D. than that handle. Then (in a metal can I'd assume) he poured in some PVC solvent ... and put those pipe sections on a metal tray or grid ... and let the fumes 'attack' the PVC.

The result? The pipe pieces swelled up enormously ... he slipped them over the handles and let them AIR DRY where they'd try to get back to their original size and very firmly shrunk onto the handle. Superb finish, too.

Freeman Newton [deceased]
(It is our sad duty to advise that Freeman passed away
April 21, 2012. R.I.P. old friend).

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Freeman,

Around here, after one finds a hardware store (not a home center, super store, etc.) they will find that most do carry an air dry cure plastic dip marketed to coat tool handles. These products have been available for sale for many years. I do, however, wonder about the VOC's on these products.

Gene Packman
process supplier - Great Neck, New York
2006