by Joshua Thomas
Oxidation causes iron to rust and this is the single biggest weakness for anything made from steel. If your car has fallen victim to rust, don't worry because a rust converter can magically heal it.
Rust converters may vary slightly but they all have the same working principle based on chemistry.
The first step is converting the rust itself into iron tannate using tannic acid. This effectively kills the rust. The second step is creating a protective cover on the surface against oxidation agents using 2-Butoxyethanol.
These two processes combine to create your average rust converter, although different manufacturers offer different options which may or may not benefit you, depending on the problem at hand.
In this rust converter review, you'll learn about the best rust converters in the market and additionally get a buying guide to help you make the right choice.
Contents
| IMAGE | PRODUCT | FEATURES |
|---|---|---|
 | 1. Evapo-Rust ER012 (Best Overall) |
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 | 2. VHT SP229 |
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 | 3. PlastiKote 624 |
|
 | 4. Star Brite 092322 |
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 | 5. FDC 20358 |
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 | 6. Product Name6. Gempler's RCQ |
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 | 7. Gempler's 127787 |
|
Evapo-Rust is a top-rated rust converter, known for its high quality and its non-toxicity. This rust converter produces results effectively and it's reusable as well. It's non-toxic and has no unpleasant odors.
It is biodegradable and non-corrosive, which means it's safe for the skin and the eyes. You are free to use this rust converter even beyond your car and in the house for household items.
You'll need a funnel to pour the liquid back into the container for storage. This is because of the rather small container opening, else it's easy to store without any worries.
It also takes time to work its magic, but when it does finish, you get great results and that's all that matters.
Pros
Cons
VHT Specialty Products makes an impressive offer here for those on the search for the best rust converter spray. This one comes in a 10.25-oz can and it's ready for spraying straight out of the can.
It stops rust immediately on contact and additionally blocks any future rusting on the part. You'll need to leave it for a full 24 hours to cure completely though, as it turns from a clear liquid into a black metal, which forms a protective coating on the metal piece.
On the downside, you can only get this formula in this 10.25-oz can, which may be too small for large projects. You can also only spray it, so there's no chance for other application methods. Still, each can comes with all the necessary instructions for using it.
Pros
Cons
From PlastiKote comes the 624 rust converter, which is a completely organic formula. This means that it's entirely safe on the environment and it leaves neither hazardous nor toxic materials from use.
This Plastikote rust converter formula bonds strongly with the rust on your metallic object or part to form an entirely new and very strong metallic surface. This new surface can get painted after 24 hours and you can even sand it first to create a smoother surface.
PlastiKote guarantees that it won't cause a bleed through stain on top coats, making it one of the best automotive rust converters.
Pros
Cons
While you'll have to wait for 24 hours with most of the other products on this list, this one offers you a very fast curing time of just 2 hours. This means that you can either paint or be done with the metal part in just 2 hours.
The bottle also comes with a spray head, allowing you to easily spray the solution wherever you need it. You can also use brushing or dipping if that's better for you.
This offer does have a drawback though, and that's the phosphoric acid in the formula. This makes it corrosive and potentially irritating to the skin and eyes, but it's biodegradable, so it's still environmentally friendly.
Pros
Cons
If you want the best rust converter on the market, then FDC makes you a good offer here with their Rust Converter Ultra. It offers you a very durable bond, coupled with economical use.
You'll get a coverage of up to 500 square feet from 1 gallon of this formula and this beats most of the competition. The formula also stops rust immediately, as well as preventing further corrosion.
For disadvantages, this formula does have a higher price but which can easily be justified by its quality. It also takes up to 48 hours to cure completely, which is far from the fastest on this list.
Pros
Cons
Here's another rust converter that you can also stretch out. The 1-quart bottle can cover up to 125 square feet, which means one gallon of it will reach up to 500 square feet.
The application is easy and can get done with a brush or by spraying. This formula also functions as a very good primer for painting on, although it needs up to 48 hours to cure.
Another downside is that it's only available in 1-quart bottles, so you may need to do some calculations if you're working on more than 125 square feet.
It's also Eco-friendly, made from a water-based formula, which is non-flammable and completely safe for the environment.
Pros
Cons
There are times when you just need to touch up small rusty areas or when you are working on a larger project but you also need to work on harder to reach areas.
Simply direct the can to spray it wherever you want and the rusting stops, plus you get a strong protective coat. Each can will handle up to 24 square feet, which amounts to over 200 square feet per gallon.
The only down part to this spray formula is that it comes in a rather small can and it can only get sprayed. So it's not ideal for large projects.
It also needs 2 days to fully cure, but if you've got the time and like convenience, then it's an attractive offer.
Pros
Cons
It's important that you understand the different features of a rust converter and how to work with them. This understanding is necessary for you to choose the best rust converter offer and to get the results that you want.
These factors are as follows but before continuing, do keep in mind that rust converters primarily work on metals that contain iron and that you may need to brush or sand off most of the rusted metal flakes before applying the converter.
Different manufacturers package their rust converter in different ways. Some come in aerosol cans while others come in small bottles or in even larger containers.
The project you have at hand will help you to decide which type of container or application method will be the most convenient for you. If you are working on a small piece or area, then an aerosol rust converter would be a great idea.
If you have to work on a large piece like an entire rim, then a larger container that you could use a brush to paint with would be more convenient than a little spray can.
Rust converters work based on chemical reactions which take time to complete. You'll always be safe if you leave between 24 to 48 hours after the application to either paint it over or do something else with the piece.
The problem though is that you could be in a hurry or have limited time for one reason or the other. In such cases, you are better off with certain rust converters that promise shorter curing times before you can paint them over.
For all other situations, the converter will come with instructions anyway, so you'll always know exactly how much time to work with.
Some rust converters are easier to clean up than others. While many products on the market will easily stain your clothing and skin, you'll find certain offers out there that promise you can easily wash off their formula using just soap and water.
It's recommended that you wear protective gear when working with rust converters anyway. This is not just because of stains but because they are also toxic.
Rust converters are often toxic because they include phosphoric acid, which can cause irritation and inflammation if it comes in contact with the skin.
Although there's no danger of severe burns here, it's still advised to wear protective eyewear and gloves to cover your hands, preferably rubber gloves.
Last but not least, is the new coating's durability. Some manufacturers offer converters that don't need painting or coating in any way to protect it from the weather, while most manufacturers expect you to paint it over for some protection.
Corroseal Water-Based Rust Converter Metal Primer, Rust Converter - 1 Gal,82331 - Walmart Link
Rust-Oleum, Black, 248658 Rust Reformer Spray, 10.25 oz, 10.25 Ounce (Pack of 1), 10 Ounce - Walmart Link
Permatex 81849 Rust Treatment, 10.25 oz. net Aerosol Can - Walmart Link
FDC Rust Converter Ultra, Highly Effective Professional Grade Rust Repair (1 Gallon) - Walmart Link
Rust Kutter- Rust Converter, Stops Rust, Professional Rust Repair - Quart - Walmart Link
VHT SP229 Rust Convertor Can - 10.25 oz. , Black , Single - Walmart Link
GEMPLER'S Eco-Friendly RCQ Rust Converter and Primer All-in-One - Ultimate One-Step - Walmart Link
Evapo-Rust ER012 Super Safe Rust Remover - 128 oz., Non Toxic Rust Remover for Auto - Walmart Link
Evapo-Rust ER088 Rust Removal Gel - 8 oz., Rust Remover for Vertical Surfaces | Rust - Walmart Link
MRO Chem Black Star Rust Converter - Converts Rust on Any Steel Surface - 2 Gallons - Walmart Link
TotalBoat Rust Primer Converter (GALLON) | Metal Treatment Stops Rust For Professional - Walmart Link
Corroseal Water-Based Rust Converter Metal Primer, Rust Converter - 1 Gal,82331 - eBay Link
Rust-Oleum, Black, 248658 Rust Reformer Spray, 10.25 oz, 10.25 Ounce (Pack of 1), 10 Ounce - eBay Link
Permatex 81849 Rust Treatment, 10.25 oz. net Aerosol Can - eBay Link
FDC Rust Converter Ultra, Highly Effective Professional Grade Rust Repair (1 Gallon) - eBay Link
Rust Kutter- Rust Converter, Stops Rust, Professional Rust Repair - Quart - eBay Link
VHT SP229 Rust Convertor Can - 10.25 oz. , Black , Single - eBay Link
GEMPLER'S Eco-Friendly RCQ Rust Converter and Primer All-in-One - Ultimate One-Step - eBay Link
Evapo-Rust ER012 Super Safe Rust Remover - 128 oz., Non Toxic Rust Remover for Auto - eBay Link
Evapo-Rust ER088 Rust Removal Gel - 8 oz., Rust Remover for Vertical Surfaces | Rust - eBay Link
MRO Chem Black Star Rust Converter - Converts Rust on Any Steel Surface - 2 Gallons - eBay Link
TotalBoat Rust Primer Converter (GALLON) | Metal Treatment Stops Rust For Professional - eBay Link
We've reached the end of this best rust converter review and you've seen all the available products and what each one has to offer.
From an extremely strong protective coating to the ability to get spread over a wider area and easier application, different companies offer different features that make each offer unique.
This final choice, therefore, is yours to make, based on how much work you need to get done and on which offer provides you with the best features you need.
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About Joshua Thomas
Joshua Thomas just simply loves cars and willing to work on them whenever there's chance... sometimes for free.
He started CarCareTotal back in 2017 from the advices of total strangers who witnessed his amazing skills in car repairs here and there.
His goal with this creation is to help car owners better learn how to maintain and repair their cars; as such, the site would cover alot of areas: troubleshooting, product recommendations, tips & tricks.
Joshua received Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering at San Diego State University.
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