During seasonal shutdowns or equipment lay-up, exposed metal surfaces are at increased risk of corrosion from moisture, contaminants, and temperature fluctuations. Selecting the right lay-up rust preventative is critical. This ensures equipment remains protected and ready for a smooth return to service. The ideal solution depends on equipment type and lay-up duration. It also depends on environmental exposure, such as humidity, salt air, or outdoor storage.
ZERUST® offers a comprehensive range of lay-up rust preventative coatings and Vapor Corrosion Inhibitor technologies engineered specifically for idle equipment, seasonal shutdowns, and long-term lay-up conditions.
Explore ZERUST® Corrosion Protection Products
Find the right lay-up rust preventative coatings, VCI solutions, and corrosion protection systems for your equipment.
How does a lay-up rust preventative protect idle equipment?
A lay-up rust preventative works by forming a protective barrier that interrupts the corrosion process before rust can form. Depending on the formulation, this protection may occur through surface contact barriers, vapor-phase migration, or a combination of both. Selecting the proper approach helps protect both exposed and hard-to-reach metal surfaces during extended idle periods.
Lay-up rust preventative coatings for external metal surfaces
For most lay-up applications, rust preventative coatings provide the first line of defense. These coatings shield exposed metal from moisture, oxygen, and contaminants that drive corrosion during shutdowns.
VCI coatings for internal surfaces
Coatings containing Vapor Corrosion Inhibitors, such as ZERUST® Axxanol™ 750 and ZERUST® Axxanol™ 758, release corrosion-inhibiting molecules that form an invisible protective layer on metal surfaces. This vapor-phase protection is especially effective for internal cavities, crevices, and enclosed geometries that are difficult to coat directly.
Oil-based lay-up coatings
For accessible components such as shafts, bearings, flanges, and machined surfaces, oil-based lay-up rust preventative coatings, including Axxanol™ 33, 46-Bio, A35-30, and A35-8030, create a thin oil film that repels moisture. These products can deliver protection lasting up to several years‡, depending on environmental conditions.
Grease-based coatings for severe environments
In severe environments such as high humidity, outdoor storage, or coastal exposure, grease-based lay-up rust preventative options like Axxanol™ Spray-G and Z-Maxx provide a thicker, more durable barrier. These coatings resist wash-off, withstand long-term exposure, and can still be removed efficiently before equipment returns to service.
Lay-up rust preventative solutions for enclosed equipment and electronics
For enclosed systems such as control panels and electrical housings, corrosion protection can be enhanced using vapor-phase technologies. ZERUST® VCI emitters, including Vapor Capsules, ActivPak®, and Z-PAK®, continuously release corrosion-inhibiting vapors that migrate throughout the enclosure, protecting all internal metal surfaces.
Moisture control for lay-up rust preventative systems
To manage moisture during lay-up, ZERUST® ActivDri™ PWA packets combine desiccant action with VCI protection. This dual-action approach helps prevent condensation and corrosion. It also helps prevent electrical failures during idle periods caused by temperature cycling.
Learn More About ZERUST® Moisture Control Solutions
Explore how ZERUST® ActivDri™ moisture control products help prevent condensation, corrosion, and electrical issues during lay-up and seasonal shutdowns.
Surface preparation for effective protection
Proper surface preparation is essential for maximizing the effectiveness of any lay-up rust preventative. Before application, metal surfaces should be cleaned to remove dirt, process oils, salts, and existing residues. Surfaces must then be thoroughly dried. This step is necessary to eliminate trapped moisture that could undermine corrosion protection.
Lay-up rust preventative coatings can be applied by spray, brush, or dip, depending on part size and geometry. When equipment is ready to return to service, most ZERUST® rust preventative coatings can be removed using ZERUST® AxxaWash™ industrial cleaners. Alternatively, use commercial alkaline washes or approved solvent-based cleaning systems.
A complete system for seasonal shutdowns
By combining Axxanol™ lay-up rust preventative coatings, VCI emitter technologies, moisture control solutions, and proper surface preparation, ZERUST® delivers a complete corrosion protection system for seasonal shutdowns and long-term lay-up. This integrated approach follows the ZERUST® Z-CIS® Corrosion Inhibiting System methodology to help extend equipment service life, reduce maintenance costs, and minimize downtime.
For application-specific guidance, equipment owners can contact ZERUST®/EXCOR® to speak with a technical service representative and identify the most effective lay-up rust preventative strategy for their operation.
Get Expert Guidance for Seasonal Shutdown Protection
Work with ZERUST® technical service experts to design a complete system tailored to your equipment, environment, and shutdown duration.
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™ 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™ 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™ 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™ 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™ 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.
Vapor Capsules are portable VCI emitter diffusers containing proven ZERUST® Vapor Corrosion Inhibitors (VCI). They protect metals in hard-to-reach areas of control panels, electrical cabinets, or other enclosed spaces from corrosion, even when they are in operation. Additionally, use these VCI emitter diffusers as a supplement to other ZERUST® VCI packaging products for added protection.
ActivPak® is a versatile and powerful fast-acting VCI sachet designed to address flash rust and corrosion concerns in demanding scenarios, including overseas shipping and polluted factory environments.
Z-PAK® is an economical, effective, and easy-to-use vapor corrosion inhibitor (VCI) diffuser packet that can be used alone or, more typically, with other ZERUST® packaging products to provide robust temporary corrosion protection for ferrous metals during shipment, storage, or work-in-progress.
ActivDri™ PWA Packets are patent-pending, economical, effective, and easy-to-use dual-action, moisture control Vapor Corrosion Inhibitor (VCI) packets that protect against environmental contaminants and humidity that aggressively corrode metal parts, components, electronics, and electrical components/equipment
AxxaWash™ KF-121 is a low foam, alkaline, water-based metal cleaner that effectively removes light to medium-duty hydrocarbon soils from ferrous substrates. Additionally, it also serves as the ideal metal cleaner for applications requiring low temperatures.
AxxaWash™ KF-122 is a low-foaming, heavy-duty alkaline, water-based cleaner compatible with very hard water in a wide range of operating temperatures. Additionally, it also maintains low foaming under spray conditions.
ZERUST®/EXCOR® AxxaWash™ KF-123 is a low-foaming, mildly alkaline, high-performance water-based industrial parts washer that is designed for cleaning ferrous substrates. In addition, AxxaWash™ KF-123 provides flash-rust inhibition.
AxxaWash™ KF-124 is a low-foaming, mildly alkaline, water-based degreaser & cleaner with low operating temperatures. In addition to cleaning, AxxaWash™ KF-124 provides flash-rust inhibition.
AxxaWash™ KMS-220 is a low foam, low temperature, mildly alkaline water-based part cleaner with excellent oil-splitting capabilities. In addition, AxxaWash™ KMS-220 provides flash-rust inhibition.
AxxaWash™ KMS-305AL is a low foam, low temperature, alkaline water-based aluminum part cleaner designed for use with aluminum and ferrous metals in spray systems with its excellent oil-splitting capabilities.
AxxaWash™ KMS-310AL is a low-foaming, alkaline, water-based aluminum and ferrous cleaner that’s designed to be used in immersion, ultrasonic, spray, or drum washer processes.
