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Automakers spend a lot of time working to ensure that their new vehicles don’t rust, and most new cars come with lengthy corrosion-protection warranties. That warranty might also cover the paint against manufacturing imperfections, but older cars don’t always have the same coverage, and even newer models might eventually face metal fatigue issues over time. I’ve you live in a snowy, salty winter wonderland like Maine, you’ve no doubt seen eight-year-old vehicles with crusty wheel arches and fenders. Anticorrosive Paint
A rust problem used to mean hours of wire brushing and cleaning. They might have involved welding for particularly bad spots. Few collision and repair shops are willing to do these jobs in 2023 as they’re generally so t that consumers don’t want to pay for the substantial bill. But there’s also the D-I-Y option of stopping and repairing rust yourself. While we don’t cover welding and don’t recommend casually picking up a torch, rust converters and inhibitors can help.
While today’s rust sealers and inhibitors won’t fill a significantly rusted-out piece of vehicle bodywork, they can help resolve smaller spots without requiring all the elbow grease.
Modern rust converters create chemical reactions that neutralize rust, converting it into a benign substance that won’t continue corroding the metal surface. They can help you stop the problem before it becomes prohibitively expensive to fix or seriously compromises safety. These products can also be used on lots of metal structures around your home, including patio furniture and small sheds.
When it’s time to get started on a rust project at home, these products can save time and money. They’re not all created equally, however, so it’s important to find products that work and that come at a reasonable price. The five rust converters here fit that bill, and have racked up hundreds of positive reviews from happy buyers.
Oil based formula, any-angle spray technology, coverage area per can - 8-10 sq. ft.
Exceeds 2000 hour salt spray test held at 450°F / 232°C, acid and alkali resistant, lead-free
The FDC Rust Converter Ultra offers massive coverage of up to 500 square feet per gallon, making it a fantastic bang for the buck. The Rust Converter works on a range of materials and surfaces, such as and offers flexibility in how it can be applied, including using a roller or sprayer. It’s an easy product to apply, as it doesn’t require any diluting or formulation to use. The only real downside is its temperature sensitivity, which means it cannot be left outside or in hot/cold environments for extended periods.
Some sprays cover rust and don’t do much to remedy the situation, but the FDC Rust Converter Ultra turns rust into an inert substance and helps prep the surface to be painted or primed. That said, there is still plenty of elbow grease required after use to be ready to paint, including cleaning, waiting, priming and drying.
Rust Reformer bonds to rusted surfaces, leaving the area ready for paint. It dries tack-free in less than 40 minutes but can’t be painted for 24 hours, a small price to pay for the value and convenience. Though it’s a spray can and can’t be brushed on, the Rust-Oleum can maintain pressure at any angle, so it can be used in tight and awkward spaces that other sprays can’t manage. That said, the spray is not as effective as Rust-Oleum’s liquid-based Rust Reformer product.
Of course, even the best values have downsides, and the Rust Reformer has a few that are important to know about. One can is only able to cover eight to ten square feet, meaning it’s best reserved for small spots that need quick coverage. Some users have reported that the aerosol Rust Reformer does not actually convert the rust, and instead seals the spot to prevent further reactions. The spray also requires considerable prep work to make ready for use, including cleaning, prepping, brushing and masking the impacted areas.
Por-15 Rust Preventive Coating is an excellent choice for automotive, marine, home and several other applications, and it stops rust by coating the surface to seal out salt, water, chemicals and more. The company says its product is unique among the myriad of other rust inhibitors, in that it cures faster in the presence of moisture, rather than needing a dry environment. Once it’s dry, the Rust Preventative Coating offers a hammer-tough finish and can be recoated within a few hours, if needed.
This product can be used for interior or exterior jobs, but it’s important to keep a close eye on the labels. Many buyers reported getting a flat finish when they ordered gloss, or vice-versa. Others stated that the container was difficult to open, requiring them to punch a hole in the lid to use.
While many rust inhibitors and preventers require extensive after-work to make ready for painting and priming, Corroseal Rust Converting Metal Primer does two jobs in one. It converts the rust and seals in the area, while priming it for paint. Corroseal promises easy clean-up and an easy-to-apply, non-hazardous formula. It’s good for use on garden tools, power equipment, home components, automotive bodywork and frames, boats, farm equipment and many other applications.
On the downside, some users claim that the rust converter doesn’t always work on the first try and that reapplication can be nearly impossible once the first coat dries. Other users say that the Corroseal product can become goopy and runny in hot temperatures, and note that it can take longer than expected to dry in some situations.
The VHT Rust Converter provides excellent rust conversion and sealing while standing up to temperatures that would fry “lesser” products. VHT stands for “very high temperatures,” and the company promises protection in temperatures up to 2,000 Fahrenheit, useful if your rust is near an engine or a catalytic converter. It’s able to be sprayed on metal, body filler or fiberglass, and it dries to a smooth, sandable finish within 24 hours. Additionally, the product goes on clear and dries black, making it easy to see which areas have coverage and which need additional spraying.
That said, the VHT spray can isn’t the most advanced application method, and many buyers report experiencing a clogged spray nozzle, and some state that their orders took way longer than expected to arrive. Others claim that the product doesn’t last as long as advertised and needs reapplication after a short period.
We specifically chose the highest-rated most readily available rust converters, removers, and preventative coatings that will effectively stop or prevent rust from forming on any vehicle. We considered the products that are the most accessible to consumers residing throughout the U.S. Forbes Wheels selected five top-rated rust prevention and treatment products by considering our on experiences and those of a broad range of end-user ratings, professional evaluations and learnings from direct personal experience. Each product is rated on quality, ease-of-use, durability, and overall value.
We rate rust conversion and prevention products by the following weighted metrics:
According to The Rust Store in Middleton, Wisconsin, rust converters should be used on any rusty surface you want to paint. They are special primers that chemically convert rust to a non-reactive material. While it might feel like you’re just painting over the rust, you’re stopping the rust in its tracks and sealing it in without having to deal with acidic rust removers.
Rust is oxidized metal, a slow-moving chemical reaction that breaks down metal. It occurs when bare metal is exposed to the water, salts and oxygen present in the environment, which includes humidity in the air. If the factory paint is broken or bubbling or if bare metal is exposed, rust can develop and spread quickly if not treated.
Rust converters consist of a phosphoric blend made to convert iron oxide into ferric phosphate by chemically penetrating the existing rust. Unlike paint which covers a surface, a phosphate coating is part of the surface itself and most rust converters also can work as a paint primer.
Rust removers, on the other hand, are a concentrated acid that will eat away at the rust when left to sit for a certain period of time. This method of rust removal can be more time-consuming and requires additional primer to seal the metal as soon as the removal is complete. Without that re-sealing, the chemical process causing the rust will continue.
Rust removal typically begins with cleaning the affected area by scrubbing larger-scale particles with a wire brush or sandpaper, removing as many loose particles as you can. Be careful to only remove rust: Do not dig into the metal as it could cause further damage. Once the rust is removed, wash and dry the area before applying a rust converter or primer.
Keeping your car clean and maintaining the paint with regular wax or ceramic coating applications will prolong the life of your vehicle’s finish and prevent rust. Avoid salt-covered roads when possible and periodically wash the vehicle’s undercarriage followed by spraying or painting the frame with a rust preventative. Treat any surface rust immediately to stop it in its tracks before it spreads and becomes a serious problem.
No. If you paint directly over rust without removing or using a rust converter, the metal will continue to spread under the paint, eventually causing it to crack or bubble. Before painting over problem areas, use an acidic rust remover or coat it with a rust converter that chemically converts rust to a paintable surface. When in doubt, after treatment is complete paint over it with primer.
Tara Hurlin is a freelance automotive writer and photographer. She's a car nut immersed in the automotive hobby, and she enjoys driving and wrenching on her custom 1961 Cadillac, 1963 Dodge 400 race wagon, 1988 Mazda RX-7 and 2018 Tacoma TRD Off-Road with Escapade trailer.
Marine Epoxy Paint After working in the technology and software industry for several years, I began writing as a way to help people outside of that world understand the sometimes very technical work that goes on behind the scenes. With a lifelong love of all things automotive, I turned my attention to writing new vehicle reviews, detailing industry trends, and breaking news. Along the way, I earned an MBA with a focus on data analysis that has helped me gain a strong understanding of why the auto industry’s biggest companies make the decisions they do. My experience and education have helped me thrive in digging into the details and finding the real stories behind the numbers. I focus on drawing out the most important facts a consumer needs to know to make the best buying choices for their families and themselves, and I aim to do that in a way that is straightforward and easy to understand