Temporary rust preventative oils for indoor storage typically provide protection ranging from a few weeks up to several months, depending on the formulation, film type, and storage conditions. Factors such as humidity levels, temperature stability, air circulation, and handling frequency all influence how long protection remains effective.
ZERUST® offers a range of temporary rust preventative oils for indoor storage that are engineered to protect cast iron and other ferrous metals during short-term storage, staging, or in-process holding. Additionally, products are also available in water-based, solvent-based, and grease-based formulations, allowing manufacturers to match protection duration and film characteristics to their specific process requirements and environmental conditions.
What Affects the Lifespan of Temporary Rust Preventative Oils?
The service life of temporary rust preventative oils for indoor storage depends on several key variables:
- Film thickness and chemistry. Heavier oils and grease-based films typically provide longer protection than light, easily removable coatings.
- Indoor environment stability. Controlled indoor storage with low humidity and minimal temperature swings supports longer protection periods.
- Part geometry and surface area. Complex shapes, cavities, and machined features may require stronger formulations to ensure full coverage.
- Subsequent processing steps. Oils selected for parts moving quickly into assembly may prioritize easy removal over extended protection.
When applied correctly and stored indoors under normal manufacturing conditions, these solutions help maintain surface integrity until parts are ready for the next production step.
Not sure which rust preventative oil fits your storage conditions?
ZERUST® offers water-based, solvent-based, and grease-based options designed for different indoor environments, handling requirements, and protection durations. Our experts can help you match the right formulation to your process.
When is an Alternative to Temporary Oils a Better Option?
For applications where parts are stored only briefly before assembly, machining, or shipment, applying and removing oils may add unnecessary handling steps. In these cases, ZERUST® VCI Packaging can be a more efficient solution.
VCI technology releases corrosion-inhibiting molecules that protect metal surfaces within an enclosed space without leaving an oily residue. This allows parts to move directly from storage into production without cleaning, reducing labor and process downtime while still providing reliable corrosion protection.
Choosing the Right Indoor Corrosion Protection Strategy
Depending on required protection duration, cleanliness requirements, and downstream manufacturing needs, ZERUST® provides process-specific corrosion protection solutions that keep cast iron and other ferrous parts corrosion-free during temporary indoor storage. For help selecting the best option for your operation, you can contact ZERUST®/EXCOR® to speak with a technical service representative.
Need help selecting the right corrosion protection solution?
Contact ZERUST® to speak with a technical service representative and get expert guidance tailored to your application and storage conditions.
Axxatec™ 30C is a water-based rust Inhibitor designed to provide short-term indoor storage and in-transit protection. In addition to the corrosion protection offered, Axxatec™ 30C may also be used as a light-duty cleaner-rust preventative combination product.
Axxatec™ 48C is a water-based aluminum rust preventative liquid concentrate that also protects ferrous and yellow metals during indoor storage, shipping, and assembly.
Axxatec™ 80C is a water-based liquid concentrate rust preventative designed to provide long-lasting protection during indoor storage, shipping, and assembly.
Axxatec™ 85-F is a ready-to-use water-based VCI rust preventative liquid designed for fogging and spraying applications. It protects ferrous metals using ZERUST® contact inhibitors and proven Vapor Corrosion Inhibitor (VCI) technology.
Axxatec™ DA-23C is a dual-action water-based rust preventative and cleaner with low or no foaming that is designed to provide short-term rust protection and light-duty cleaning.
Axxatec™ DA-24C is a dual-action water-based yellow metal rust preventative and cleaner with low or no foaming that is designed to provide short-term rust protection and light-duty cleaning.
Axxatec™ DA-40AL is a dual-action aluminum rust preventative and cleaner with low foaming that is designed to provide short-term rust protection and light-duty cleaning.
Axxanol™ 33 is a rust preventative oil that forms a light oily film, providing powerful corrosion protection against aggressive environments such as salt air and humidity.
Axxanol™ 33CD is a solvent-based rust preventative that forms a dry-to-touch film, eliminating oily surfaces that attract dust and other contaminants.
Axxanol™ 33CD-HF is a solvent-based high-flash corrosion inhibitor coating that dries-to-touch, eliminating oily surfaces that attract dust and other contaminants.
Axxanol™ 34CD is a solvent-based coating that forms a very light, oily, near dry-to-touch rust preventative film that provides powerful corrosion protection against aggressive environments.
Axxanol™ 34CD-HF is a solvent-based high-flash rust preventative coating that forms a very light, oily film that is near dry-to-touch, providing powerful corrosion protection against aggressive environments, such as salt air and humidity.
Axxanol™ 46-BIO is a sprayable bio-based rust preventative oil that forms a clear, thin, oily, moisture-barrier film that’s also a light lubricant oil.
Axxanol™ 750 is a rust prevention spray containing Vapor Corrosion Inhibitors (VCI). When shipped or stored in enclosed packaging, Axxanol™ 750 forms a clear, thin, oily film that provides a moisture barrier and contact inhibitor with ZERUST® VCI chemistry that migrates to metal surfaces in hard-to-reach voids, crevices, and chambers, providing powerful corrosion protection.
Axxanol™ 750-NV is a rust preventative oil that forms a clear, thin, oily film on the metal surface, providing a moisture barrier and powerful corrosion protection against aggressive environments such as salt air and humidity.
Axxanol™ 758 is a rust prevention oil containing ZERUST® Intelligent Counter-Corrosion Technologies (ICT®), which consists of high-performance non-staining contact inhibitor with dual-action slow and fast release Vapor Corrosion Inhibitors (VCI). When shipped or stored in enclosed packaging, Axxanol™ 758 VCI oil forms a clear, thin, oily film that provides a moisture barrier and contact inhibitor with ZERUST® VCI chemistry that migrates to metal surfaces in hard-to-reach voids, crevices, and chambers providing long-lasting corrosion protection.
Axxanol™ 758-NV is a non-staining rust preventive oil that forms a clear, thin, oily film on the metal surface, providing a moisture barrier and powerful corrosion protection against aggressive environments such as salt air and humidity.
Axxanol™ A35-30 is an oil-based, non-staining rust preventative that forms a light, oily, clear film with excellent water-barrier properties. As a result, it provides powerful corrosion protection against aggressive environments, such as salt air and humidity.
Axxanol™ A35-8030 is a long-term rust preventative oil that forms a light, thin, oily film. As a result, it provides powerful corrosion protection against aggressive environments, such as salt air and humidity. In addition to corrosion protection, it provides lubricating properties that help reduce friction and support smooth assembly and disassembly of metal parts.
Axxanol™ A35CD-32 is a solvent-based, non-staining rust preventative that forms a clear, thin, near dry-to-touch RP film. As a result, it provides powerful corrosion protection against aggressive environments, such as salt air and humidity.
Axxanol™ A35CD-7 is a high-flash solvent-based rust preventative that forms a clear, thin, dry-to-touch film. As a result, it eliminates oily surfaces that attract dust and other contaminants.
Axxanol™ Spray-G is a sprayable rust preventative grease that provides the protection of a grease in the convenience of a sprayable form. It’s designed to protect metal parts, equipment, and assemblies during long-term indoor and outdoor storage and challenging overseas shipping applications where a removable coating is essential.
Axxanol™ Z-Maxx Anti-Corrosion Grease Series consists of two products, Axxanol™ Z-Maxx and Z-Maxx LV. Z-Maxx is a thick NLGI 2 grease and is also offered as a lower viscosity (LV) NLGI 0 grease that is designed for spreadability and light lubrication properties.
