Fertan Rust Converter 

· No need to remove rust. FERTAN® pulverises it and detaches it ·
· With FERTAN® rust is converted into an ideal paint base ·
· FERTAN® eliminates sanding, deep brushing, sandblasting ·
· The only sure, irreplaceable rust proofing system for new or old steel structures ·
· Safe and easy to use, no isocyanates or flammable components ·

What is FERTAN®

Fertan is a patented product that pulverises rust and leaves an inert layer of metal ready for painting. Once Fertan is applied clever chemistry ensures that there are enough active ingredients to destroy the rust but no more. As these get used up more are produced. Fertan doesn't attack good metal, just the rust. During conversion loose rust is detached, Fertan uncovers clean metal and creates a bonded film, protecting the metal from possible future attack.
This film or coating is a bonded layer of non-rusting ferro-tannic insoluble compounds . This surface is neutral and, once rinsed to remove rust dust, is ready for painting.

Fertan may be applied to slightly rusty metal, hard rust, or bare metal to protect it from future rust.

Fertan's aqueous solution penetrates everywhere, even through paint cracks or panel joints.
It can be applied on damp or wet surfaces indoors or outdoors in any weather conditions. Outside, avoid frost.
It is harmless to plastic, rubber, chrome and already painted surfaces.
FERTAN® is only active in contact with steel, iron or rust. It can be washed off from any other surfaces with water.
Non-flammable, non-volatile, harmless to health either by physical contact or fume inhalation.
FERTAN® provides long-term protection to iron and steel but the surface should be painted within 6 months.


INSTRUCTIONS

Remove loose rust and scale if possible, why waste Fertan?
Apply FERTAN® with brush, roller, sponge or spray.
1 litre covers approximately 12 - 15 square metres (140 sq. ft) of oxidised metal surface.
FERTAN® reacts well on wet surfaces and in damp/wet conditions. In dry conditions wet the surface with a water spray. Most of the reaction takes place within 24 hours but, if you can, wait 48 hours.
Check that the rust is completely converted to a black layer.
If not, insufficient was applied, so apply another coat to non black areas.
Before painting the Fertanised surface remove the loose black dust (not the hard layer) with water hose (large areas) or damp rag (small areas).
FERTAN® can by applied on any other rustproofing treatment and is recommended for maintenance intervention on previously painted oxidises areas.
On light paint colours, any spattering of FERTAN® should be washed off within an hour of application.

SPECIFICATIONS & SAFETY PRECAUTIONS

FERTAN® is a dark liquid with a characteristic aromatic odour, very slightly acidic, with a specific gravity of 1.18.
FERTAN® is non-poisonous, harmless, non-irritating for humans and non-polluting for the environment.
In case of contact with skin, wash with plenty of running water. Eye contact, wash with plenty of running water and consult medical authorities. FERTAN® should not be consumed.
FERTAN® requires no particular safety precautions in storage. It is sufficient to keep the container closed.
Shelf life in closed containers is practically unlimited.
Sedimentation does not normally occur during prolonged storage.
In case of leaking or breakage of containers it is recommended to dry with sawdust and wash with water.

More technical information.

If you have a piece of rusty steel or iron there are two effective way to treat it:

1) shotblast it to SA2½ in a low humidity atmosphere, treat it with blast primer within 20 minutes and apply preservative coats within 2 hours
2) Paint it with Fertan in any conditions above freezing. Overcoat it within six months.

Most rust removal products use high concentrations of phosphoric acid. If the phosphoric acid is not completely consumed by its reaction with the oxides on the surface being treated and the surface itself then it will attack the metal and any other surfacing products that are applied. It is obviously very difficult to calculate the amount of acid to apply as it depends on the degree of rusting, the type of oxides present. So these products need to be applied in excess. The treated surface should then be power washed to remove all excess before applying finishing layers.

This is likely to remove the layer of tertiary iron phosphates that provide the protection and allow water through to the surface of the metal. But if it is not done then the acid remains to attack the finishing coats.

Fertan works differently. It is composed principally of:

pyrogallic acid glucosides / ellagic acid glucosides (molecular weight 270 - 2000)
phosphoric acid
phosphates of bivalent transition metals such as Zinc and Manganese
Zinc and manganese nitrates.

Fertan, when taken from the container is a complex chemical solution which is in an equilibrium state, meaning that it will not change until other chemicals come into contact with it. It is so stable that it will remain unchanging for twenty years. We have old samples that we test annually for effeciveness.

Once iron oxides are detected the liquid uses up its initial tiny percentage of phosphoric acid. Then it generates a tiny amount more. It needs a tiny percentage of the acid to be stable. If that is used up by attacking iron oxide then Fertan will generate more. The process is repeated until no rust is left. So at no time is there a large quantity of acid present.

If one looks at the treated surface all areas that had rust will be black. This shows that sufficient Fertan was applied. If undamaged paint is coated with Fertan the product remains as a dark brown liquid that should be sponged or washed away.

As the rust is attacked it turns black. Some becomes loose dust to be washed away. Some surface rust is neutralised and becomes bonded to the surface. There it forms a part of the layer of insoluble chelate that covers the treated area. This chelate continues to protect the surface from the atmosphere and provides a non rusting surface that can be overcoated with any finishing systems. Fertan may be coated with any finishing system no matter how simple or complex.

Any Fertan that is not used up attacking rust bonds to the metal's surface. It remains dormant there for years until the paint surface above it is is damaged. If the impact or scratch that caused this goes through to the metal surface it will start to rust. As that rust reaches the Fertan it will become active and limit the damage to the initial scratch, minimising the repair work necessary.

Fertan takes time to work. Twelve hours is good, a full day is better. It is working to change the structure of the materials surface and the reaction just takes that amount of time. We can make it go faster but the results are not perfect. Imperfection is useless with this sort of product. We all want long lasting perfect, unblemished surfaces.

The full description of what happens as Fertan returns metal to a paintable surface runs to some ten pages and the above is intended to provide one level of information more than the simple leaflet. If you are a chemist or just have a strong desire to know the details please let me know and I'll post or, preferably, email a copy of one of the patents to you.

Fertan works superbly. People who use it do not change to other products. It complements any paint range as it provides a good base for that paint to be applied to.

Fertan is available in the following options:

	Fertan 30ml Mini bottle with integral brush, ideal to keep in the car  and touch up stone chips as they occur.	£2.95 + £1.25 P&P
	Fertan 250ml 250ml spray bottle. Ideal for applying Fertan to flat or difficult surfaces.  Also good for applying inside tanks and box section steel	£5.95 + £4.50 P&P
	Fertan 500ml Handy 1/2 litre pack. Treats up to 70sq. ft. / 6 sq. mtr.	£9.50 + £5.50 P&P
	Fertan 1 litre Handy 1 litre pack. Treats up to 140sq. ft. / 12 sq. mtr.	£14.95 + £8.50 P&P
	Fertan 5 litre - CARRIAGE FREE!	£69.95

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