Rust Convertor, Flat Black

I have tried a number of 'so called' rust converters in a variety of applications. The most difficult is when you have heavy farm equipment that is well rusted. The real problem is when you wire brush the steel with a heavy duty SS wire wheel using an angle grinder, you cannot get to the bottom of the rust pits. This is a big problem because if you don't get the rust out of those pits all the work is for naught because it will just rust through again in a year or two. So, my objective was to find some way to fix that problem. To start with I am a chemist so I understand the oxidation process and the difficulty of getting that under control. Simply put, you must intimately coat the entire surface of the metal with a good oxidation resistant primer. Intimately - meaning there can be NO rust...not even a little tiny bit or it will just rust through again. After using various rust removers I found that none will get down into those rust pits and completely remove heavy rust - NONE. Some worked fairly well on flat smooth metal but NONE would remove the heavy rust from the bottom of those rust pits. Many were 1/16" deep so even a wire wheel can't get into them. And, I'm not about to grind 1/16" of metal off of 1/4" plate steel. Next, I went to rust converters. There are a number of these on the market. One of those that was highly rated on the internet would work in some areas but not in others. In some cases it actually generated copious amounts of an orange-ish corrosion that was self replicating once I started it with that 'highly rated' rust converter. I was not impressed. The last thing I tried was the VHT rust converter. Frankly, I didn't have high hopes. However, this stuff did exactly what was claimed. Where there wasn't any rust it simply went on as a clear primer...and in those areas it bonded very well. Where there was heavy rust...especially in the bottom of those rust pits...the rust converted to a very hard black material (I believe it is iron sulphate)...in any event it is 'hard as nails' and actually much harder and, it prevents future rust from forming. This is amazing stuff and I recommend it highly. Note well, the can suggests more than one light coat to make sure you get everything covered. Because of the nature of the problem I was dealing with, I first put on a heavy coated to make sure the heavy rust in the bottom of those pits was completely saturated. Then I would sand the surface to make sure it was smooth and give it another light coat. Then, for added assurance, I used another primer available on Amazon called self-etching grey primer by Rustoleum. This is also a great product. I really like it's leveling and sanding properties. Since then I learned that VHT also has a self-etching primer, so I will try that soon. Finally, I finish with a couple coats of a good quality spray paint. I ran experiments repeatedly on all combinations of these and found that the VHT rust converter followed by the self-etching primer provides excellent rust protection and very good bonding. Be sure to follow the instructions because with these reactive materials you must apply the next coat within minutes to insure the layers react to one another. This maximizes the bond and prevents inclusion of any foreign material (including moisture) that could initiate rusting later on. From my experience, THIS is the best product on the market. Also see my comment on one star reviews under the question about how Rustoleum and VHT rust converters compare. PS Never try to do this kind of work on a foggy morning where moisture is condensing on surfaces...you will be wasting your time! UPDATE 9/6/2016: It's been almost two years since my initial experiments and I received a question from Sarah "How has this held up?" Very good question and a timely one as well...now, first a little background; I have a John Deere 950 with a 60" pull behind mower. The top of that mower deck where the leaves tend to set and hold moisture was badly rusted. However it was NOT pitted like the back blade. I sanded the mower deck down to bare metal, primed it and painted it using John Deere primer and paint. That job was done 2 1/2 years ago and I did NOT use any VHT rust converter. [See first two photos.] Rusted right through the new primer and paint. This mower is covered during winter months. Now the 'back blade''; this is where I used VHT rust converter. I decided to just try it out on one side of the top of the back blade. I've still done nothing to the other side. The third photo show the result of wire brushing, VHT primer, Rustoleum self-reacting primer and then the final John Deere green paint. Almost two years later it is flawless...no sign of rust. And remember, this equipment sits out in the elements all year round. Fourth picture is the other side which I've done nothing to...that is the way both sides looked before I started. Rather an impressive testimony to the combo of VHT rust inhibitor and Rustoleum self-reacting primer before painting!

I recently used the VHT SP229 Rust Convertor Can in Black, and I must say, it exceeded my expectations. Here's my review of this product: 1. **Effective Rust Conversion**: The primary purpose of this product is to convert rust into a more stable compound. I applied it to some rust spots on my car, and it did an excellent job of turning the rust into a black, paintable surface. It stopped the rust from spreading further. 2. **Easy Application**: The spray can design makes it very easy to apply. It provides a consistent and even coating, which is crucial for rust conversion. I appreciated that it was a single can, so there was no need for additional tools or equipment. 3. **Quick Drying**: The product dries relatively quickly, which is convenient if you want to proceed with painting or other automotive work soon after rust treatment. 4. **Durable Finish**: Once dried, the black finish left behind is not just for aesthetics; it acts as a protective layer. It's paintable, too, so you can seamlessly match it to the surrounding surface. 5. **Versatile Use**: While I used it on my car, this product can be used on various metal surfaces, including fences, tools, and other equipment prone to rust. It's versatile and handy to have around for various applications. 6. **Long-Lasting Results**: It's been some time since I applied the VHT SP229 Rust Convertor, and the treated areas have remained rust-free. This product appears to offer long-lasting protection. In summary, the VHT SP229 Rust Convertor in Black is a reliable and effective solution for tackling rust issues on metal surfaces. It's easy to use, dries quickly, and provides lasting results. If you're looking to address rust problems and protect your metal possessions, I highly recommend giving this product a try. It's a valuable addition to any DIY enthusiast or automotive enthusiast's toolbox.

Works 'good' if you really prepare the area down to bare metal. I tried spraying this on light surface rust on a bumper and it didn't work, the rust remained and even continued spreading. I then scrubbed it down using a angle grinder paddle sanding disk and then sprayed with great results. The advertisements saying spray on rust is bull, this isn't a magical cure but you're going to have to scrub all rust away if not 80% of it and then spray on immediately after cleaning surface. I also recommend painting over this stuff because it doesn't give that good of coverage, its soft.

I have tried several brands over the years, and I have been disappointed by "all" (haven't used every brand out there) those other brands I've tried. The VHT brand has produced the most consistent results for me. I have a 2004 Duramax truck with 196K on it. The body is in pretty good shape, but it needs some work, specifically around the cab corners and in the bed where the gooseneck ball plate is mounted. What I have found is I needed to apply several coats of the product, letting it dry in between coats. I would guess most people don't have the patience for this, but if you are patient, I think you will get the best results. I didn't take before and after pictures, but I wish I had of my 2" square trailer hitch, the truck bed, the ball in the bed, and my cab corners, specifically. I also have some spots where it appears there is some surface rust, but the VHT didn't turn that area black. I believe this is because the paint and primer are still doing their job somewhat on the surface, and the VHT is trying to work its way underneath to convert the rust to primer UNDER factory paint and factory primer. I can't prove this, but it's a thot... I was most impressed when I took a wire brush to my wife's zero turn mower muffler and sprayed the (cold) muffler with the VHT. It immediately started turning the rust muffler from rust brown to black/brown coloration. An hour or so later, I followed that up with some Rustoleum High Temp BarBQ paint. This mower has been used for a couple weeks since then at normal operation temperatures (very hot--too hot to touch), and the paint has been holding up except one spot that flaked off when I hit it with air about 100psi while blowing the grass off the mower when my wife was done mowing. I will update any developments, either good or bad with this product, but I am pretty impressed with it so far.

Its ok. Its a very thin liquid so spraying it on a vertical object, like the base of a car door, isn't optimal, it runs, leaving with it a black trail. It works great immediately, turns rust black. After a few days the rust kinda shows through. I think its doing a decent job keeping the rust from spreading but its summer, winter with salted roads will be the test, and I don't think it will hold up. Been using it on my car for a while now, which wasn't what I planned. Years ago on another car I got some white paste and it lasted until I got rid of the car, never had to apply it. Basically I feel its far too thin and runny to do a proper job long term. Decent if you don't mind reapplying it to whatever it is you spray it on...youll have to continually put it on it doesn't seem to hold longer than a few weeks before the rust shows through again. Should probably look into finding that thick white paste I used years ago that is no longer in any store around me. That stuff was permanent.

Some products make promises that they can't keep. VHT SP229 Rust Convertor is definitely a quality product that has exceeded my expectations. I originally bought one 10.25 oz can to treat a 7 foot Olympic weight bar that I picked up at a scrap depot for an excellent price. The Olympic weight bar turned out so well that I decided to buy grip weight plates at the same depot for pennies on the dollar and they also turned out great. I still had quite a bit left in the can, so I used it on a few rust spots on a wrought iron table that I picked up (also at my local scrap depot) and that was a winner too. This product does when it says it will do, it actually converts the rust into a solid form of metal. Once treated with VHT the item can then be painted. For my application I went with Rustoleum Hammered Black spray paint (can't say enough positive things about this variety of paint). One can of VHT has saved me a small fortune so far in that I have been able to re-purpose workout equipment and a patio table that cost me very little to start with. I 100% give this product my seal of approval. Now with everything I said above, I cannot stress enough to wear eye protection, a mask and gloves when using this product, you'll know why with the first blast of the spray nozzle. This is a very potent product and should be used with care.

Does exactly what is claimed.

Decent...and I have purchased a few cans of this product. However now I'm seeing other products that may be better..maybe? I still do get some permeation of rust and although it isn't like it originally was, it just means I have to prep and repaint some automotive body panels again. Good price and simple enough to spray on, but after a few years there might be something else that is even better.