Corrosion Inhibitors

Corrosion Inhibitors Products - Resources & Information

Corrosion inhibitors are important for boats and outboard motors because they help protect against corrosion, which can cause significant damage to the mechanical parts of the vessel. By regularly treating your vessel with corrosion inhibitors, you can avoid engine corrosion, you can avoid costly repairs in the near-future - especially internal and external engine corrosion. 

PartsVu offers a complete selection of Corrosion Inhibitors from OEM manufacturers and trusted aftermarket suppliers. Whether you need Yamashield Rust & Corrosion Protectant, Mercury Corrosion Guard, and more, PartsVu has what you need to get the job done. 

Need help servicing your boat and outboard engine? PartsVu regularly publishes helpful how-to guides and other valuable maintenance information to help boaters service their outboard engines, boats, trailers, and more. Browse the PartsVu Xchange, our outboard maintenance blog, for a wide range of relevant topics and review the FAQ section below, covering everything you need to know about maintaining your boat in confidence.

Corrosion Inhibitors FAQ

Why are Corrosion Inhibitors so important for boats and outboard motors?

Some specific benefits of using corrosion inhibitors include:

• Protecting against corrosion: Corrosion inhibitors are substances that are added to lubricants or applied directly to metal surfaces to help protect against corrosion. They work by forming a barrier on the metal surface that prevents the infiltration of water and other corrosive elements. This is especially important in a marine environment, where saltwater spray and other corrosive elements can cause rapid deterioration of metal parts.
• Extending the lifespan of mechanical parts: By protecting against corrosion, corrosion inhibitors can help extend the lifespan of the mechanical parts of a boat or outboard motor. This can save you money in the long run by reducing the need for frequent repairs or replacements.
• Improving performance: Corrosion can cause mechanical parts to become seized or stuck, which can lead to poor performance and reduced efficiency. By protecting against corrosion, corrosion inhibitors can help improve the performance and efficiency of the boat or outboard motor.
• Ease of use: Corrosion inhibitors are typically easy to apply and can be applied using simple tools, such as a brush, cloth, or spray can. This makes them a convenient and user-friendly option for maintaining the mechanical parts of a boat or outboard motor.

Overall, corrosion inhibitors are an important product to have on hand for the maintenance and care of boats and outboard motors. They can help protect against corrosion and extend the lifespan of the mechanical parts of the vessel, improving its performance and longevity.

How do I protect my Mercury outboard motor?

Cover it with Corrosion Guard. This rust inhibitor forms a water-resistant barrier on both painted and unpainted surfaces. We recommend using it at every service interval with a liberal application to all metal engine surfaces. You can also use it on outdrives, lower units, and power trim motors.

The marine environment is one of the harshest on the planet. This is why protecting your boat from corrosion is extremely important. For premium defense against rust, we highly recommend this product.

In order to maximize your engine’s performance, use this complete fuel treatment at every fill-up with any grade of gasoline. Mercury Quickare Fuel Treatment is an excellent defense against the problems associated with ethanol-blended fuels, including its corrosive effects on metals as well as the gum and varnish that result from fuel oxidation. 

This product can also be used to clean up existing deposits in untreated fuel lines, fuel tanks, carburetors, injectors, intake valves, and spark plugs. It will keep your fuel fresh for up to three months and can be used in all 2 and 4 cycle carbureted and fuel-injected gasoline engines. Use one ounce to treat every 10 gallons of fuel.

Should I spray corrosion inhibitors on ratchet straps used on my boat trailer?

It is important to know that ratchet straps do have a life expectancy. The webbing degrades from exposure to sun, and the hardware will age from saltwater and the environment. While you would not intentionally dunk your ratchets in the ocean, the boat will be wet when you load the trailer, and drips on the straps are a fact of life. As a rough rule, nylon will generally last about five years, and the ratchets and snap hooks should be treated regularly with a good corrosion inhibitor like Boeshield T-9.

What do you need to repair a boat in rust?

Boats in rust are a serious problem. There are several steps that you need to follow when it comes to how to repair boat rust:

1. Remove the rust: The first step in repairing a boat with rust is to remove as much of the rust as possible. This can be done with a wire brush, sandpaper, or a rust remover.
2. Treat the metal: Once the rust has been removed, it is important to treat the metal to prevent further rusting. This can be done with a rust converter, which converts the rust into a stable compound that can be painted over.
3. Fill in any holes or pits: If the rust has caused holes or pits in the metal, these will need to be filled in before painting. This can be done with a metal filler or putty.
4. Sand and prime the surface: Once the rust has been removed and the metal has been treated and repaired, the surface should be sanded smooth and then primed with a rust-inhibiting primer.
5. Paint the surface: After the primer has dried, the surface should be painted with a high-quality marine paint to protect against further rusting.
6. Perform regular maintenance: To prevent rust from reoccurring, it is important to perform regular maintenance on your boat, including cleaning and drying the surface after use and applying rust inhibitors as needed.

It is generally best to consult a professional for more extensive rust repairs on a boat, as proper technique and materials are important to ensure the repair is long-lasting and effective.

How do corrosion inhibitors work?

Corrosion inhibitors are chemical compounds that are added to a material or solution to reduce or prevent corrosion. They work by forming a protective layer on the surface of the metal that prevents corrosive substances from coming into contact with the metal.

There are several different types of corrosion inhibitors, and each corosion inhibitor works in a slightly different way. Some inhibitors work by forming a film on the surface of the metal that is resistant to corrosion. This film can be either anionic (negatively charged) or cationic (positively charged), and it can be either organic or inorganic.

Other inhibitors work by reacting with the corrosive substances in the environment to form a protective layer on the surface of the metal. This layer can be either a passivating layer, which is a layer of corrosion products that is resistant to further corrosion, or a sacrificial layer, which is a layer of a less reactive metal that is more prone to corrosion than the metal being protected.

Regardless of the mechanism of action, the goal of corrosion inhibitors is to prevent or reduce the corrosion of metals in a variety of environments. They are used in a wide range of applications, including coatings, lubricants, and cooling systems, to protect against corrosion and extend the life of metal components.

How do I store and maintain my boat battery?

First, safely disconnect the batteries by removing the negative terminal and then the positive terminal. Use plastic caps on the exposed fasteners to prevent electrocution when dealing with multiple batteries.

Next, with the terminals exposed, you want to ensure that the batteries are completely clean of any corrosion, which can damage a battery’s ability to hold a charge after storage. Corrosion on batteries can be brown, white, or blue/green and must be scraped away with a wire brush to expose the fresh metal. Once scraped, coat them in vaseline, WD40, or a suitable battery corrosion prevention spray to avoid corrosion. Apply terminal caps and secure the batteries in a dry space.

After the terminals, check all cables for any signs of wear or damage from use. Damage can include frayed wires, burned insulation, or even a burnt smell. It may require examining your entire electrical system for shorts if you discover this.

Where can I learn how to prevent corrosion on my boat and outboard motor?

PartsVu has plenty of resources for everything you need to know about preventing how to avoid corrosion for your boat and all models of outboard motors. Start with the following guides and be sure to use the search bar to find plenty of other useful guides to maintain your boat in confidence:

• Marine Corrosion – Corrosion Types and What to Do About Them
• Yamaha Corrosion Prevention – Protect Your Engine
• How to Stop Marine Rust & Corrosion
• Yamaha Corrosion Prevention – Protect Your Engine