Durban-based Epure Coatings has been special-ising in rust-prevention in the automotive industry for the past seven years and has recently introduced a new rust-protection system into the South African market called CarWell Rust Protection System. “Moisture, combined with dirt, mud, air-pollutants and salt, creates an ideal condition for corrosion to occur,” Kevin Brown of Epure Coatings tells Engineering News. “The vehicle will corrode first in the areas where this combination is allowed to sit and collect, rather than drain away or evaporate.

“These areas include seams, crevices, welds, rivets or pockets where the road dirt can accumulate and hold moisture against the steel.” However, manufacturers have made many improvements in recent years with the use of galvanised metals, better paints, improved drainage and ventilation of body panels.

In particular, the US-manu- factured CarWell Rust Protection System has been successful in the US for the past 15 years and is now available in South Africa from Epure Coatings, the sole importer of the product. “This cost-effecive product carries a six-year written guarantee against corrosion forming in the body panels of any vehicle treated,” explains Brown. The main benefit of CarWell is that it not only stops corrosion from forming but it will also stop existing corrosion from spreading, making it a must for older or second-hand vehicles.

Periodic application of CarWell rust-inhibitor will also extend the use of vehicles and equipment when applied in a regular maintenance programme.

The petroleum hydrocarbon-based chemical, once applied to a vehicle, remains active, creeping around the body panels, preventing corrosion from forming in seams and crevices. CarWell, after years of exhaustive testing, is used by the US Postal Services and the US Defence Force and has been approved by the navy and army airwing for the control of corrosion on aircraft.

It has also recently been adopted by the South African National Defence Force for the rust-prevention of military equipment. With regard to the potential of market growth, Brown believes that the automotive trade is very positive at the moment and has potential for growth.

“We are currently looking for suppliers in all areas outside of Kwazulu-Natal so that we can bring this product to as many industries as possible, as this product is useful in all industries where corrosion occurs. “Not only does the product prevent corrosion but it also helps with lubrication and can be used on anything electrical and actually reduces electrical failure.

“However, the main challenge that we are facing at the moment is to expand the product into other industries.

“We have done well within Kwazulu-Natal, but we don’t have many contacts within other provinces of South Africa, so we have found it difficult to penetrate the other provincial markets,” Brown reveals.

Although the product has been designed for the automotive industry, the company is hoping to expand the product into the marine, aviation and mining industries in the near future.