Rust Converters & Coatings

Industrial rust converter primers and protective coatings from Cortec. Convert existing rust to a stable passive layer, or prime clean steel direct to metal.
Rust converter primers and corrosion-resistant coatings
When rusted steel is going to be painted, you don’t always have to strip it back to bare metal. A rust converter turns tightly adhered surface rust into a stable, paintable layer, and a corrosion-inhibiting topcoat protects it from there. Solvent Recycling Systems carries Cortec’s water-based rust converter primer and the coatings that go over it, plus temporary coatings for parts in storage and transit.
Rust converter
Cortec CorrVerter water-based rust converter primer converts existing rust and primes the surface in one coat, in 1-gallon and 5-gallon sizes. Use it on structural steel, frames, tanks, equipment and any rusty surface that will be topcoated.
Topcoats and primers

VpCI-386 water-based acrylic DTM topcoat: weldable, direct-to-metal topcoat that goes over CorrVerter or bare steel.
VpCI-395 water-based 2K DTM epoxy primer: high-performance epoxy primer for demanding service.
VpCI-396 moisture-cure urethane: primer and topcoat in one.

Temporary coatings for storage and shipping
For parts and equipment that need protection now and removal later: VpCI-368 wax-like coating for outdoor service, VpCI-369 oil-based coating and lubricant and CorShield zero-VOC water-based transit coating. Remove them later with VpCI-414 temporary coating remover.
Convert, remove or blast?
Convert when the part will be painted and the rust is tight. Use a rust remover when you need bare, clean metal. For heavy scale or large areas, abrasive blasting or a laser cleaning machine gets you to clean steel fastest, then prime right away.
Rust converter FAQs
How does a rust converter work?
A rust converter reacts with existing surface rust and turns it into a stable, paintable layer, so you can coat over tightly adhered rust instead of removing it all. CorrVerter is a water-based rust converter primer that converts the rust and primes the surface in one coat.
Rust converter or rust remover: which do I need?
Use a rust remover when you need bare, clean metal, such as precision parts, threads or anything going back into service unpainted. Use a rust converter when the part will be painted and removing every trace of rust is not practical, such as structural steel, frames and equipment.
Can you paint over rust converter?
Yes. Once cured, CorrVerter acts as a primer and can be topcoated. Cortec water-based topcoats such as VpCI-386 acrylic are designed to go over it.
How should I prep rusty steel before a rust converter?
Remove loose, flaking rust, dirt, oil and old failing paint with a wire brush, scraper or degreaser, then apply the converter to the remaining tightly adhered rust. Heavy scale is better removed by blasting first.