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CARWELL
©
RUST INHIBITOR
Protecting Cranes From Corrosion
Manitowoc Crane Group's cranes are manufactured to high
quality standards, including the type of paint finish
demanded by today's industry. In partnership with our paint
supplier, we are also doing our part to help prevent
premature corrosion of cranes.
National Crane will be treated with a rust inhibitor called
Carwell T32-CP-90. While a rust inhibitor cannot guarantee
that a machine will never rust, this product will help protect
against corrosion on National Cranes that are treated with
this product.
Carwell T32-CP-90 is a treatment, not a coating. It contains
no silicones, solvents, CFCs or anything that would be
classified as hazardous under OSHA Regulation 29CRF-19-
10.1200. The product is a liquid blend of petroleum
derivatives, rust inhibitors, water-repelling and water-
displacing agents. Special equipment is used to spray a light
film onto the entire undercarriage and various other areas of
each new crane prior to shipment. When applied the product
has a red tint to allow applicators to view coverage during
application. This red tint will turn clear on its own within
approximately 24 hours after application.
Once applied, Carwell T32-CP-90 can appear to leave a
slightly “oily” residue on painted surfaces and until the red
tinting fades could initially be mistaken for a hydraulic oil
leak. While the product is not harmful to painted surfaces,
glass, plastic or rubber, it must be removed using standard
steam-cleaning techniques.
Carwell works in various ways: (1) it eliminates the moisture
containing salt, dirt and other pollutants by lifting and
removing them from the metal surface; (2) the film creates a
barrier to repel further moisture from coming in contact with
the metal; and (3) it penetrates crevices.
In addition to the factory-applied Carwell coating, National
crane owners must provide proper maintenance and care to
help ensure long-term protection of their crane against
corrosion. This procedure provides information and
guidelines to help maintain the paint finish on National
Cranes.
The most common causes of corrosion include the following:
• Road salts, chemicals, dirt, and moisture trapped in the
hard-to-reach areas;
• Chipping or wear of paint, cased by minor incidents or
moving components;
• Damage caused by personal abuse, such as using the
decks to transport rigging gear, tools, or cribbing; and
• Exposure to harsh environmental hazards such as
alkaline, acids, or other chemicals that can attack the
crane's paint finish.
While the surfaces of the crane that are easily seen have the
biggest impact on the appearance of the crane, particular
attention should be given to the undercarriage of the crane to
minimize the harmful effects of corrosion.
Exercise special care and increase the frequency of cleaning
if the crane is operated:
• on roads where large quantities of salt or calcium are
applied to treat icy and snowy road surfaces;
• in areas that use dust control chemicals;
• anywhere there are increased levels of wetness -
especially near salt water;
• during prolonged periods of exposure to damp
conditions (e.g., moisture held in mud), where certain
crane parts may become corroded even though other
parts remain dry; or
• in high humidity, or when temperatures are just above
the freezing point.
Cleaning Procedures
To help protect against corrosion of National Crane,
Manitowoc Crane Care recommends washing the crane at
least monthly to remove all foreign matter. More frequent
cleaning may be needed when operating in harsh
environmental conditions. To clean the crane, follow these
guidelines:
• High pressure water or steam is effective for cleaning
the crane's undercarriage and wheel housings. Keeping
these areas clean will not only help retard the effects of
corrosion, but will also improve the ability to identify
potential issues before they grow into larger problems.
• Rinse the dirt and dust off before washing the crane.
Dirt can scratch the crane's finish during washing/
cleaning.
• Hard to clean spots caused by road tar or bugs should
be treated and cleaned after rinsing and prior to
washing. Do not use solvents or gasoline.
CAUTION
High pressure water can be forced into spaces and
infiltrate beyond seals. Avoid pressure washing in the
vicinity of electrical controls, panels, wiring, sensors,
hydraulic hoses and fittings, or anything that can be
damaged by high pressure cleaning/spraying.
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