Owtatrol oil as a rust inhibitor being used on a metal fence

Using Owatrol Oil as a Rust Inhibitor

Owatrol Oil is a product that wears many hats; it is a rust inhibitor, a paint conditioner and it also helps adhesion of finishes.

Owatrol Oil is a versatile, highly penetrating air drying oil and when used as a rust inhibitor, it provides a tough, flexible finish, driving out excess moisture and air; displacing it from rusted metal, stopping rust from doing any more damage.

Using Owatrol Oil as a rust inhibitor

Owatrol Oil penetrates deep, through the rusted metal to the good metal underneath, isolating it and protecting it from further rusting.

As it is a penetrating oil it can be used directly on the rusted surfaces. However, be sure to remove any loose flaking rust, paint, grease or any other contaminants before applying Owatrol Oil.

Owatrol Oil being applied to a rusted metal gate with a brush

Application

Using Owatrol Oil on new clean steel

First prime new steel with a mix of 1 part Owatrol Oil to 3 parts primer. Then follow with normal paint system adding Owatrol Oil to subsequent coats as directed under ‘Mixing instructions’ on the Owatrol Oil product page.

Using Owatrol Oil on lightly rusted surfaces

First prime the surface with a mix of 1 part Owatrol Oil to 2 parts primer. Then follow with normal paint system adding Owatrol Oil to subsequent coats as directed under ‘Mixing instructions’ on the Owatrol Oil product page.

Using Owatrol Oil on new unpainted rusty steel

First prime the surface with a mix of 1 part Owatrol Oil to 1 part Primer. Then follow with normal paint system adding Owatrol Oil to subsequent coats as directed under ‘Mixing instructions’ on the Owatrol Oil product page.

Using Owatrol Oil on old, severely rusted or previously coated surfaces

  • Apply wet on wet applications of Owatrol Oil to all exposed rust until fully saturated and allow it to dry.
  • Saturation is indicated by a uniform glossy appearance to the surface when Owatrol Oil is dry.
  • Before Owatrol Oil has hardened, check the surfaces and remove rust scale and old paint loosened by the above. If needed, touch up these areas.
  • Allow to dry.
  • Next, apply a mix of 1 part Owatrol Oil to 2 parts primer and allow to dry. Then follow with normal paint system adding Owatrol Oil to subsequent coats as directed under ‘Mixing instructions’ on the Owatrol Oil product page.

Note: Owatrol Oil will not lift well bonded paint.

Take a look at our demonstration video to see just how easy and effective Owatrol Oil is.


We hope you enjoyed this post on using Owatrol Oil as a rust inhibitor! If you have any other tips, tricks, or advice, please feel free to comment below and share!

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Using Owatrol oil as a rust inhibitor - Pinterest

Owatrol Team
About Owatrol Team

Our team are ready and willing to support you with your requirements whether it is protecting your newly laid deck or renovating a luxury yacht, whatever the application Owatrol has the solution you are looking for.

10 thoughts on “Using Owatrol Oil as a Rust Inhibitor

  1. What is the most effective method of painting an old ,badly rusted ,corrugated ,galvanised iron roof on a farm shed,using “Owatrol oil” ?
    Also can it be used to treat wooden decking ? If so does the wood have to be stripped back to original state?
    I have recently used “Larsen” preservative on some of the decking frame,can owatrol oil be painted onto previously treated surfaces such as this?
    Many thanks
    Ciaran in Cavan

    1. Hi Ciarsan,

      Firstly, in relation to the rusted roof. We would advise that all loose rust is removed from the surface. The roof can then be treated with Owatrol Oil neat. Following this you can add 10% Owatrol Oil to your top coat of paint. (oil based)

      In regard to the decking. We would not recommend Owatrol Oil for this. We do however have a complete range of penetrative wood care products. With any of these there is a preparation process where all previous coatings must be removed.

      Could you confirm what you are looking to achieve with the wood? Oil finish? Paint etc?

      All the best,
      The Owatrol Team

      1. Can i paint this directly to bare steel and cast iron neat and not paint with anything else, keeping the bare metal look protected on a lathe?

        If not what would you recommend?

        1. Hi there Luke,

          If you are looking to keep the bare metal look we recommend a product such as Oxid Vernis – a single pack clear varnish, enriched with polyurethane-modified alkyd resins for use on new or oxidised metals that have previously been treated with Owatrol Oil and where the natural look of the surface is to be maintained. Combining performance with ease of application, Oxid Vernis is long-lasting, has high UV resistance and is especially adapted for harsh climates.

          Oxid Vernis is perfect for use on interior and exterior metals and can be used on horizontal or vertical surfaces with ease whilst maintaining the natural appearance of the substrate.

          You can learn more about Oxid Vernis here: https://www.owatroldirect.co.uk/product/oxid-vernis/

          I hope this was helpful.

          All the best,
          The Owatrol Team

  2. May I ask if you can use Owatrol on an old, rusted BBQ interior, then treat/paint over the interior with an approved BBQ paint such as Jenolite Directorust stove & BBQ paint? Thanks.

    1. Hi there Cattriona,

      Owatrol Oil is fine to use inside your BBQ as long as it is left to dry sufficiently before over painting. We wouldn’t recommend using Owatrol Oil on its own though as it does not have the heat resistance for the inside of a BBQ.

      I hope this was helpful.

      All the best,
      The Owatrol Team

  3. Hi,
    Can I use owatrol oil as a rust inhibitor on cement gate pillars, then paint as normal with masonry paint? The metal seam on them is beginning to come through and rust, so want to prevent any further.

    Thank you,
    Di
    Dublin, Ireland

    1. Hi there Diane,

      Yes this is a good idea and this is what we recommend you do. We would also recommend adding some Owatrol Oil into the paint as well to offer the most protection possible.

      All the best,
      The Owatrol Team

  4. Hello…Can i use this oil on sanded metal instead of using a primer? Then apply any oil based paint directly over it. Thanks

    1. Hi there Gaurav,

      Yes that’s correct, Owatrol Oil can indeed be used instead of a primer and you can then apply any oil-based paint over top of it.

      I hope this was helpful.

      All the best,
      The Owatrol Team

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