CASE HISTORY SPOTLIGHT: Case History #557: Air Force Equipment Preservation
June 8, 2021
The constant humidity and nearness to saltwater at one Pacific air base was known to take its toll on vehicles, typically requiring new paint jobs within five years—often along with body repairs due to corrosion. The engineer unit on base therefore needed a new method of corrosion protection that would keep their $20 million Airfield Damage Repair (ADR) fleet preserved in an open field, ready to use at a moment’s notice.
Cortec® Global Services provided onsite training for the application of a VpCI® preservation system. This started with inspection and a good cleaning using VpCI®-415. After the vehicles dried, VpCI®-369 D was sprayed on door hinges, pintle hooks, lift cylinders, and other moving parts. VpCI®-391 Clear removable coating was used on engine compartments, wheel wells, and firewall surfaces. VpCI®-372 SemiClear peelable coating was used on forklift tines, grader blades, and dump truck beds. All other external painted surfaces were coated with VpCI®-386 CMA after masking mirrors, license plates, and other sensitive components. ElectriCorr™ VpCI®-239 was sprayed on electricals and electronics, and VpCI®-105/111 Emitters were installed in fuse boxes, toolboxes, cabs, and other voids. Grease zerks were lubricated with CorrLube™ VpCI® Lithium EP Grease. VpCI®-705 was circulated through fuel systems, and VpCI® Re-Grip Revitalizer was used to renew rubber components.
The maintenance crew was excited about the ease of application and the time and cost savings expected for maintaining vehicles that often begin to rust in the first few months on base if not protected. The training also sparked interest among those attending from other Pacific bases who wanted to implement the same program at their locations.
Keywords: corrosion protection, Cortec, VpCI, Air Force equipment preservation, airfield damage repair fleet, corrosion protection on Pacific air base, Cortec Global Services, maintaining vehicles, vehicle rust, vehicle preservation system
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