How Rust Forms and Best Practices to Prevent It

Rust might seem like a small nuisance at first but left unprotected it can reduce the life of your hardware, weaken joints, and cost you time and money. At Ovesco, we see corrosion issues every day and we know how to help you keep your equipment in top shape. In this guide we’ll explain how rust forms, the environmental factors that make corrosion worse, and practical ways to prevent it. We’ll also show you some corrosion-resistant Ovesco products that can help protect your gear.

What Is Rust and How Does It Form?

Rust is the common name for iron oxide. It forms when iron or steel reacts with oxygen and moisture. You need three things for rust to develop: metal, oxygen and water. Without one of these elements rust cannot form. Industrial environments tend to have moisture or humidity in the air, so the risk of rust is always present unless steps are taken to protect your gear.

Best Practices to Prevent Rust

Preventing rust is about protection and good habits. Here’s what really works.

Choose the Right Coatings and Finishes

A solid coating or surface finish slows the rust process by keeping moisture and oxygen away from metal.

• Galvanised or Zinc Plated Hardware: Using zinc plated catches, clamps or hooks adds a sacrificial layer that corrodes before the steel underneath. 
• Stainless Steel Components: Where corrosion resistance is crucial, stainless steel is the premium choice. 
• Weather-Resistant Fasteners: Choosing stainless or treated fasteners helps protect structural elements. 

Use Quality Sealants and Adhesives

Sealing joints and crevices stops water getting in where it shouldn’t. Industrial-grade sealants and adhesives can help keep out moisture and block corrosion before it starts. 

Better Storage Practices

Even quality hardware can rust if stored in damp conditions.

• Keep items dry and ventilated so condensation does not build up.
• Raise hardware off the ground where moisture sits or pools.

Proper storage slows corrosion and keeps metal ready to use when you need it.

Regular Maintenance and Inspection

Rust rarely happens overnight, so inspect gear often.

• Check hinges, locks and slides for early signs of corrosion.
• Clean any surface rust and reapply protective coatings.
• Lubricate moving parts such as drawer slides and clamps to protect against moisture and wear.

Choose Hardware Made for Industrial Use

Choosing hardware built to withstand industrial environments is one of the best ways to limit rust issues.

Here are some Ovesco products that work well in tougher conditions:

• Hinges such as lift-off, butt and ball bearing hinges built to handle heavy loads.
• Clamps & Hooks in steel or stainless finishes to secure equipment and components.
• Locks and Latches, including cam latches and drop T locks with corrosion-resistant coatings.
• Rubber and PVC Products like seals and channel strips that protect edges and joints from weather exposure.

Using the right components for the job means less downtime and better performance.

At Ovesco we have 25 years of experience supplying hardware to trades, manufacturers and industrial fleets across Australia. We stock over 4,000 quality industrial and transport hardware items including corrosion-resistant finishes you can rely on.

We understand what it means to protect equipment in real world conditions and we back our products with local service and technical support.

Rust is unavoidable if you ignore it. But with the right hardware, thoughtful storage, good coatings and regular maintenance, you can prevent it from becoming a problem. Choosing corrosion-resistant products and a supplier who knows industrial environments well will help your hardware last longer and perform better.

If you’d like help choosing the right rust-preventing solutions for your next project, reach out to the team at Ovesco and we’ll point you in the right direction.