Those who love working on cars and other machines like to have the parts they need ready-to-go. If you’re going to keep spare part on hand, there’s a smart way to prevent rust on car parts: Zerust.

Auto parts have a long shelf life. Before they are ever installed on a vehicle, they will be stored in multiple warehouses and shipped several times before ever reaching the end consumer.  When they do finally reach the end user, they might be installed on a vehicle and put into service immediately. They might continue sit in storage, waiting for the next opportunity to be used. These different phases in the product lifecycle mean changes in temperature and humidity – which has the potential to wreak havoc on metal car parts.

Methods used to prevent rust on parts that are not installed are different from rust prevention methods that are used once a vehicle part is installed. Parts may be exposed to water, de-icers, oil, grease, fluids, dirt, and debris. Many people use heat for drying, but fluctuations in temperature can also accelerate rust. Zerust has many rust prevention products for vehicles. 

The benefit for car parts that haven’t yet been installed is they can be kept in a more stable environment.  They are exposed to temperature and humidity swings at a lower rate, and they can generally be kept drier, free of salt, mud and water. But they aren’t impervious to corrosion. They must still be protected from the damaging effects of moisture. Zerust has numerous products that can help prevent rust on car parts. 

Protect Auto Parts from Rust and Corrosion in Storage

If you have new parts that will be unused for a period of time, it’s a good idea to keep them in their retail packaging for as long as possible. They’re usually already painted or coated with a light oil to protect the metal. Keeping the car part in the package will protect it from air, moisture and dust/debris. 

In the event that you have non-packaged and/or untreated metal parts, our rust inhibiting  Axxanol™ Spray-G aerosol grease will provide long lasting protection that can be removed with an alkaline based cleaner such as degreaser when necessary. 

Poly bags or plastic film are used to protect parts during storage and should be kept during storage, especially in dirty or dusty environments. For more heavy duty protection, our VCI poly bags are available in many sizes and thicknesses to protect sensitive mechanical parts from contaminants while offering the benefit of VCI rust inhibitors. Desiccant packs to absorb any excess moisture can be added (which everyone recognizes as the little packet that should not be eaten!)

Some general guidelines for parts storage include:

• Ideal storage temperatures should be between 59-77 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Keep dry, with no more than 40% relative air humidity.
• Shield from UV light.
• Avoid storing directly on the floor, alongside walls, or in front of radiators or other sources of heat.
• Protect auto parts from dust.

It is better to store parts in a conditioned space versus a shed or a garage. A shed or garage might be OK for short term storage but high humidity and heat levels can cause premature rusting. Keeping an eye on humidity levels is crucial, and a dehumidifier is helpful in areas such as basements and garages that might be partially below grade. 

By storing your parts in their protective packaging and in a clean and dry location, you should have no trouble ensuring your parts are preserved over time and ready for use. To get the extra edge on rust prevention, try our Plastabs® which are small polyethylene squares with vapor corrosion inhibitors molded directly into the plastic. These are small enough that you can place alongside your part inside the packaging for extra protection against corrosion. We also offer Multipurpose VCI Poly Bags with built-in Vapor Corrosion Inhibitor that can protect your items from rust and corrosion for up to 5 years.  For more general protection in a larger area, our Rust Prevention Vapor Capsules can protect multiple items within a single storage container.

Contact Zerust for more information on how to prevent rust on car parts by emailing us or calling (330) 405-1965.

Additional Resources:

What parts of the car are most vulnerable to rust? Feb. 7, 2023, Rocky Mountain Car Care

More Blog Entries:

All DIY Auto Mechanics Need a Tool Box Drawer Liner to Prevent Rust, May 15, 2024, Car Part Rust Prevention Blog