How to Prevent Rust on Heavy Equipment
Machines are the lifeblood of construction operations and the backbone of any job. Properly maintaining them is critical to the success of your business, and it requires regular work and effort to minimize breakdowns, downtime, and repair costs.
To make things even worse, the majority of pieces of heavy equipment are regularly exposed to harsh environmental and weather elements, such as mud, rain, and snow. If the right steps aren’t taken, these elements will lead to corrosion, rust, if not corrected, eventual machine failure.
To help you avoid these issues, we’ve put together a list of several tips and best practices that you can follow to prevent rust on your equipment.
What is rust?
When iron is exposed to moisture and oxygen, the oxygen atoms fuse with the metal, causing a reaction called oxidation. This reaction results in a new compound called iron oxide or rust. Rust can develop even on painted surfaces, causing the surface to puff out and bubble up before flaking off.
Over time, rust expands and leaves the equipment weakened and corroded. Eventually, the metal on your machines can completely rust through and lead to dangerous operating conditions.
Methods to prevent rust
There are several steps you can follow in order to protect your business and investment from the dangers of heavy equipment rust.
- Consistently clean your equipment – Dirt and moisture are the enemy of your heavy equipment. Sticking to a consistent cleaning schedule will help keep dust, dirt, moisture, and other forms of contamination from accumulating and leading to rust and corrosion.
- Store your equipment inside when not in use – Even better than a protective layer of wax is a protective structure around your machines. Be sure to install a dehumidifier in the storage space to remove moisture from the air and keep your equipment dry and rust free.
- Use commercial rust prevention products – Rust inhibitors or paint that includes rust inhibitors give metal surfaces on your equipment a protective layer of oil or film that prevents moisture from reaching the machine.
Remove rust quickly when you see it
When rust does occur, you can keep it from causing major damage by removing it quickly. You can clear small areas of rust with specialized chemicals, just be sure to always wear gloves, safety goggles, and respirators when using acid based rust removers.
To avoid using harsh chemicals, we recommend using grinding and sanding equipment. Grinders are great for heavy duty rust removal across larger areas, while sanders are better for small scale removal jobs. Removing rust fast will help prevent pitting and structural damage to your machines. If you use a grinder or sander for mechanical rust removal, you have to repaint it with either spray paint or a paint brush, or it will rust again fast. You can find high quality equipment touch up paint in our supplies department!
If you have any questions about how to prevent rust on your equipment, contact our team today!