Rust Inhibitors for sprayer booms Cancel The title field is required!

1. Jeffrey Scott

   

   8 posts
   
   2/13/2019 9:02 PM

   Does anyone have a recommendation for a spray-on or brush-on product that could be applied to the painted sprayer boom that would inhibit the severe rusting and corrosion that quickly occurs when spray applications contain fertilizers and/or acid treated water? I have seen extreme cases of rusting on booms that are less than one year old.
   Some "old timers" used to use a coating of lightweight mineral oil to wipe down or spray on wheels, decks and undercarriages to keep grass stains, clippings, and dirt from sticking to those surfaces which made cleanup much easier. The oil was applied after the item was washed and dried and it kept the machine shiny and looking like new.
   Any recommendations would be appreciated!
   
   Jeff Scott
   Midwest Turf Specialties, LLC

   
   
   
   
2. Andrew Cross

   

   5 posts
   
   2/14/2019 3:02 AM

   We take our booms off and send to local powder coater. They sand blast and coat with a 2 part setup. First layer is Scotchkote second layer is your standard powder coat in flat black. Have done 2 previous boom setups this way and still look perfect after 5 years. Just sent in booms from a 2 year old sprayer that were beginning to rust quite a bit. Not very expensive considering the investment we are protecting.

   
   
   
   
3. Jeffrey Scott

   

   8 posts
   
   2/14/2019 8:02 AM

   Thanks for the reply, Andrew. I'm looking for a preventive treatment that will get ahead of the rusting problem and delay your curative solution. The extreme rusting problems I have seen are happening in the first few months of using a brand new sprayer. When the problem is so obvious externally, it's cause for concern about what could be happening inside the plumbing system - see info below...
   Since your reconditioned booms are still looking perfect after 5 years, it leads me to believe that your concoctions of spray materials aren't as corrosive as the ones that are causing problems. Do you happen to use a pH meter to monitor the acidity?
   
   Last week at the GIS, WILSCOT - the new company that Steve Willey and I formed last year - introduced the
   SprayRedi Recirculation System on our Featherweight boom. By turning it ON at loading time, you would circulate the spray solution throughout the boom prior to beginning the application; turn it OFF during the app except at times when the pump is running and you want to keep the material circulating; then turn it ON when you're finished and you want to rinse the system with clean water.
   It's the perfect complement to the SharpShooter system that we have been using to upgrade turf sprayers since 2011 since it does require the solenoids on the nozzles to keep the nozzle closed while the recirc system is ON. SprayRedi should drastically reduce internal corrosion problems by being able to thoroughly flush the plumbing system after making the spray application.
   
   Best regards,
   Jeff

   
   
   
   
4. Roland McPhearson

   

   9 posts
   
   2/15/2019 6:02 AM

   Fluid Film is the best corrosion inhibitor that I am aware of. I'm told that's what the Coast Guard uses. It does not have an offensive smell and I'm told it won't kill grass. I haven't applied it to grass yet to test it though. I get it from Napa.