If you drive or operate machinery in areas of the country facing a severe winter, it is essential that you defend your equipment against the elements. Rustproofing vehicles can provide an additional level of protection for them that can help ward off corrosion to both their exterior and interior parts.
Before the temperatures start to plummet, it is always advised to get your equipment winter ready with a suitable solution, such as rust preventative oils. A wide range of specially formulated products are readily available, designed by world-leading manufacturers such as Shell and Mobil.
In the following sections, we’ll explore the dangers of rust and the benefits of using a rust preventative oil.
Dangers of rust
From a snowplough’s engine to the inner workings of agricultural equipment, rust has the power to seriously damage or even destroy machinery. In wintertime, roads are gritted with salt, which can become embedded within the small spaces of a vehicle and lie dormant until the warmer temperatures arrive. In spring, the salt can rust a vehicle, working from the inside out. However, with a routine rustproofing treatment, this scenario can easily be avoided. Fluctuations in weather over the colder season can also see accumulated ice and snow on equipment thaw in the winter sun, providing ideal circumstances for oxidation to take place, corroding exposed metal parts.
Advantages of using rust protection
There are multiple benefits that can be gained for those employing regular rustproofing for equipment and vehicles. Along with protecting machinery, a rust preventative can also preserve the equipment’s value, benefitting an owner who is seeking to resell it. Overall, rustproofing can provide a longer lifespan for equipment and can reduce repair costs. Finally, one of the most important benefits of rust protection is for the safety of the vehicle or equipment operators.
Protection for equipment
Arguably, the foremost role of rustproofing machinery is for protection from the harmful winter elements. From severe temperatures, ice and snow to unwanted build-up of salt from roads, rustproofing is critical to safeguarding your investment in wintertime.
Preserving value
From stationary plant machinery to trucks and tractors, rust-free equipment will always command a higher resale value than similar makes and models that are showing signs of corrosion.
Safety
Corrosive rust makes metal brittle, compromising its structural integrity. High levels of rust can make vehicles unsafe for drivers and passengers, and can make equipment dangerous for its operators and those working in the nearby vicinity.
Longer lifespan
A vehicle or other piece of machinery that is routinely treated with rust protection for the winter season will provide it with a longer service life. This can have powerful benefits for owners, with equipment lasting many years longer without requiring replacement.
Minimising downtime and repair costs
Unchecked corrosion like rusting can quickly lead to costs. From expensive downtime while necessary repairs are taken care of to costly parts when components must be replaced, there are many reasons why a failure to rustproof is ill-advised economically.
As discussed, there are many benefits to using a rust preventative. It’s wise to check your owner’s manual for compatible products to use with your equipment, but if you’re not certain which oil is best, consult your supplier for advice.
