Customer & Product Showcase: COLFIN RP-9 Rust Inhibitor

One product does not work for every shop. One chemistry is not perfect for every part. All metal finishing shops are not created equal, and this is why a robust product line is essential for suppliers and plating shops alike to be able to meet the needs of all customers. At Columbia Chemical, we pride ourselves on innovation as one of our core values, dedicating time, energy, and research to create new products designed to Simplify Surface Finishing^®. We work directly with our customers to address challenges they face in their day to day operations.

One example of this is our work with Wright Tool Company in Barberton, Ohio. Wright Tool forges high quality wrenches, ratchets, sockets and attachments. Columbia Chemical connected with them about three years ago when Wright Tool was looking for help in improving their Trivalent Chrome plating. Known for technical expertise in decorative trivalent plating, Columbia was able to identify and address Wright’s challenges and help them successfully make the switch to TriCOL Reclaim^®. This groundbreaking process was designed with a unique formulation to allow for total reclamation without the buildup of counterions. Wright Tool was very pleased with the single liquid additive, which meant no more heating and no messy chrome dust powder, an improvement for both their operation and their employee safety. By gaining Wright’s trust in TriCOL and trust Columbia Chemical was also awarded the pre-treatment and bright nickel chemistry.

Through the development of this relationship of trust and ongoing technical conversations with Wright’s team, Columbia was able to find another area for improvement with a competitor’s rust inhibitor. Curt Sotera, Jeff Boehmer, and Director of Technical Service, Matt Schario made the short trip to Barberton and talked with the Quality Assurance manager, Lisa Wiley who shared that while their steel parts were plating fine in the colder months, the warmer months brought an issue of the rust preventative they were using becoming tacky. Our team knew COLFIN RP-9 would solve their issues and would continue to prevent corrosion on steel, cast iron, and other ferrous surfaces.

COLFIN RP-9 is a rust inhibitor for steel and other treated surfaces that is non-tacky, colorless, and does not need rinsing because the residual coating dries on the surface. After a trial was run with the new addition, Wright Tool added the product to their process and their production is running smoothly. Due to the unique characteristics, another benefit of COLFIN RP-9 that Columbia has recommended to other shops is it’s use as a final treatment used over phosphates for dry-to-touch coating protection.

Shortly after Columbia installed COLFIN RP-9 at Wright Tool, another local parts manufacturer contacted our technical team for help after having the same issue of tacky parts in the hotter months with a competitor’s rust inhibitor. The company supplies to plating shops in the Cleveland area and a recent conversation with members of Columbia’s team led to a discussion about a similar issue with bolts being too tacky. After some conversation, a product trial ensued, and the company converted their rust inhibitor to the COLFIN RP-9 which resolved the issue. Their operations manager commented that RP-9 was an economical drop-in replacement and the product is easier on their cleaning and waste treatment system as well.

While the metal finishing industry has experienced consolidation and discontinuing of products from suppliers for reasons of economy of scale or cost, Columbia Chemical has continued to grow our product line to solve customers’ unique needs. We remain focused on our core values of innovation and quality customer service by recognizing not all shops are created equal and not all products work for every shop. Our dedicated research and development team is committed to creating new solutions as needs arise. If you feel your operation might benefit from COLFIN RP-9 or you find yourself challenged with another product or process and are curious about how Columbia Chemical can help simplifying your surface finishing, please contact by email at techquestions@columbiachemical.com.