CASE HISTORY SPOTLIGHT: Case History #557: New Preventative Maintenance Strategy for Pacific Base Vehicles

July 08, 2021

In 2017, a U.S. Air Force base in the Pacific implemented a Cortec® corrosion prevention plan for its $20 million fleet of Airfield Damage Repair (ADR)
vehicles. In the corrosive environment of constant humidity and proximity to the ocean, the maintenance squadron would often see signs of rust appear
on new vehicles and equipment within months if not treated. A whole new coat of paint was usually needed in just five years, often with body work due to corrosion. Cortec® Global Services came onsite to train the squadron on a new system that would protect ADR vehicles for extended periods in
the open field while leaving them ready to use at a moment’s notice.

The plan included several aspects. The first step was to inspect and pressure wash everything with VpCI®-415. Once the equipment dried, the next
step was to spray VpCI®-369 D onto moving parts: hinges, pintle hooks, lift cylinders, etc. Corrosion protection was even integrated into the vehicle lubrication systems by applying CorrLube™ VpCI® Lithium EP Grease to all grease zerks. VpCI®-705 was added to the vehicle fuel systems and circulated before shutting them down. VpCI® Re-Grip Revitalizer was used on rubber hoses, tires, and weather-stripping.

Various Cortec® permanent and removable coatings were applied to wheel wells, painted surfaces, dump truck beds, etc. The Chief Master Sergeant
was so intent on achieving good corrosion protection that he would not have cared even if the coatings had turned out to be pink instead of the
inconspicuous clear and semi-clear coats they were.

The vehicle maintenance troops were happy with the ease of product application compared to repair labor hours and costs they expected to save in the long run. Personnel from other bases also attended the training and expressed interest in implementing the program at their bases, too.

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