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How long will it take for flash rust to appear after I clean a steel surface with Holdtight 102?

Steel surfaces that are effectively cleaned with Holdtight 102 should remain rust-free until they are re-wetted with water or re-contaminated with airborne contamination that pull moisture (humidity) onto the steel surface. This initiates the electrical process required for corrosion to occur.

It Depends on Your on Your Environment

In outdoor environments without high humidity, two to four days is often achievable. This period can be expected to be shortened in high humidity environments and extended in low humidity environments. Indoor applications with controlled humidity and a non-corrosive atmosphere will often provide a rust-free window of a month or even longer!

The air quality surrounding the steel also has a significant impact on the amount of time before rust appears. Frequently, Holdtight 102 is used in aggressive chemical environments where corrosion failure has been a problem due to chemical contamination. The same contaminants that caused the initial failure often will be present as airborne particles in these environments.  Frequently, this is the case in chemical plants, in coastal areas, or near heavily traveled roads where air pollution is high. In these aggressive environments, it is important to apply protective coatings as soon as possible after the surface is thoroughly cleaned and dried before excessive contamination becomes present on the steel surface.  

Learn more about Holdtight 102 and contact the Strand’s Industrial team to learn more about rust removal and how to avoid rust when using Holdtight 102 for your specific application. We’re always happy to help!