If your business involves metal equipment, machinery, or parts, you know the drill. You’ve invested a lot in that steel beam, that custom-fabricated component, or that expensive machine. You prep it for shipping or store it for the winter. And then, you cross your fingers. Because the enemy is always waiting: rust. Corrosion is a silent, expensive problem. It ruins surfaces, compromises integrity, and leads to costly rework or replacement. For years, businesses have relied on greases, sprays, and standard tarps to fight it off. But there’s a more reliable, cleaner, and frankly, smarter solution out there: VCI shrink wrap.
What Exactly is VCI Shrink Wrap?
VCI stands for Volatile Corrosion Inhibitor. It sounds technical, but the way it works is pretty clever. This isn’t your standard shrink wrap. The plastic itself is infused with special corrosion-inhibiting compounds.
Once you wrap and seal an item, these compounds slowly release and form an invisible, microscopic layer on all the metal surfaces inside the wrap. Think of it as a force field at the molecular level. This layer neutralizes the corrosive elements, like moisture, salt, and pollutants in the air, that cause rust. The wrap acts as both a physical barrier and a chemical one.
Why Choose VCI Over the Old Ways?
If you’re currently using sprays, grease, or basic plastic sheeting, you might be dealing with a few headaches. Here’s why VCI wrap is often a better bet:
1. Complete, 360-Degree Protection
With a spray or grease, you might miss a hidden crevice or an internal cavity. Moisture finds those spots. VCI is a vapor. It circulates within the sealed wrap, reaching every nook and cranny, protecting the entire item uniformly, even complex geometries that are impossible to coat by hand.
2. Cleaner and Safer
Nobody likes the mess of packing grease. It gets on clothes, on hands, and on the floor. And when the part arrives at its destination, someone has to spend hours cleaning that goop off before the item can be used. VCI wrap eliminates that step. The protective layer disappears once the wrap is removed and the surface is exposed to air. The part comes out clean and ready to go.
3. Long-Term Reliability
For equipment sitting in storage for months, or making a long sea voyage, a standard tarp just isn’t enough. Humidity changes, temperatures fluctuate, and condensation happens. VCI wrap is designed for these long-haul situations, providing consistent protection against the elements for extended periods.
When Should You Ask for VCI?
You should consider specifying VCI shrink wrap for any project where rust is a dealbreaker. It’s an especially smart choice for:
- Exporting machinery or parts (especially ocean freight, where salt air is brutal).
- Long-term outdoor storage of metal components.
- Protecting precision tools, dies, or molds.
- Shipping bare metal parts that need to arrive ready for immediate use or installation.
Experience Matters
Here’s the thing about VCI wrap: the material is only half the battle. For it to work correctly, the wrap needs to be properly sealed. If there’s even a small leak, the vapor escapes, and your protection is compromised. This is where experience comes in.
Our team understands how to create a true hermetic seal. We know how to assess the shape of your equipment and apply the wrap so it’s tight, secure, and airtight. We’ve protected everything from industrial pipe skids to sensitive military components, ensuring they arrive at their destination in the same condition they left.
If you have metal equipment that needs to travel or be stored, don’t leave it to chance. A little rust can turn into a big problem fast. Contact us today to talk about whether VCI shrink wrap is the right solution for your next project.