A Bitter Lesson: AVS Corrosion Converter Falls Short of Expectations

I've been working with cars and metal for years, so when I needed to tackle corrosion on my ride, I took it seriously. Corrosion's a sneaky thing, and you can't just slap on any old solution. You either need to dig deep mechanically or use a high-quality converter with anti-corrosion properties. When I heard about the AVS Corrosion Converter with zinc, I thought it sounded promising – the price was reasonable, and the formula claimed to deliver great results. But let me tell you, I was wrong.

First off, let's talk packaging and instructions. Everything looked decent: a bottle of liquid, a description, some application tips, and a brush included. But when I got down to work, things got tricky. I'd already scrubbed the corrosion to a point where the metal was mostly smooth, but still had some fine rust spots. I applied the first coat – minimal effect. The second coat made the surface darker, but the rust was still visible in the crevices.

The one thing that worked okay was the liquid's consistency – it's not too runny, so you can apply it carefully. I tried using a brush, a sprayer, and even a sponge – the results were similar each time. According to the instructions, this stuff works by converting corrosion into a protective coating. But in reality, it's more like a chemical mask that hides the problem, rather than solving it.

After applying it, the metal developed a matte finish that needed to dry. That part was quick – a plus. But the smell? That's a whole different story. It's pungent, chemical, and working in a closed garage without a respirator is basically impossible. Your skin dries out and cracks without gloves. That's a major concern if you plan on working with this stuff for a while.

A week later, I checked the treated areas – tiny rust spots reappeared where the brush didn't reach or the coat was thin. That tells me the converter doesn't penetrate deep into the metal.

Another issue: after using this stuff, paint doesn't adhere well. I tested it on one spot – the paint started to peel off. That means the converter doesn't create a solid base for painting. I had to strip the layer, re-treat the metal, and prime it, which added time and cash.

As for durability, after a month of active use and exposure to dirt and chemicals, corrosion started to reappear. That confirms the protection is temporary and ineffective for serious corrosion battles.

Now, let's talk tech details. I ran some tests to compare effectiveness. On a relatively clean area of the wing, where corrosion was minimal, the converter did a decent job – the rust disappeared, and the finish looked smooth. But on areas with deep corrosion, the effect was minimal. So, it works best on light damage.

Another important point: the bottle size (0.8 liters) is wasteful. For a normal treatment of even a small part, you need to use a significant amount of liquid. That drives up the cost per square meter, making it more expensive than competitors.

Lastly, surface prep is a major hassle. The manufacturer recommends scrubbing the corrosion, which I agree with, but that adds extra time, effort, and tools. You expect a product that can handle corrosion on its own, but in the end, you're left with a full surface prep before treatment.

Separately, the smell is so strong that working in a closed garage without a respirator is almost impossible. For those planning to work on this in their garage, that's a major minus.

As for the final result after painting – the area treated with the converter started to require re-treatment after a month. Rust reappeared, especially in areas with high humidity. For me, that's the main indicator that this product's a temporary fix, not a proper solution.