Are you sure you are using an anti-corrosion primer?

Those involved in industrial painting are certainly aware that there is a commonly used phrase: "anti-corrosion varnishes/primers." 

Also in everyday life, when wanting to paint a fence, a bicycle or an old trailer, each of us has checked whether the product intended for this purpose is an anti-corrosion product. However, are all those with the word "anti-corrosive" really so? "I use an anti-corrosion primer," is a statement I often encounter from new customers, as they have found such a description on product labels or marketing brochures. Since it says it protects against corrosion it probably does... The manufacturer asserts protection, but to what extent, under what conditions and for how long?

In fact, marketing anyone can claim that their product is anti-corrosive. The question is, when we buy an "anti-corrosion" product, do we want protection for a few days, weeks, months or years? After all, it may happen that the coating will protect against corrosion for only a few weeks, which, unfortunately, no one is obliged to inform about on the label anymore. Therefore, it is always worth asking for specific information to what extent or on what basis it is stated that the product will protect against corrosion.

The best determinant would be to indicate the degree of corrosion according to a specific standard (ISO 12944), which is a constant for all and very accurately, in a structured manner, verifies whether a given paint product actually performs the function of corrosion protection and in what environment (environment), at what coating thickness and for how long it will (or at least should) protect. In my opinion, all products that have below C3M are not products that protect against corrosion in a meaningful way. Please also remember that when protecting metals, it is very important, not only to choose the right paint materials, but also to properly prepare the surface (which is often forgotten).

In conclusion, beware of marketing tricks with "anti-corrosion" products. It is better to bet on innovative and proven solutions that have the appropriate studies confirming the given properties of the product. After all, none of us wants to waste money and time on systems that ultimately do not do their job.