Frequently Asked Questions
 

                                          Table of Contents

General

Health and Safety

Environmental

General

Is there any other product like TC-11 on the market?

No. TC-11 is the only product that softens rust so it is easy to remove. No other product offers the corrosion prevention performance of TC-11. No other penetrating oil is as effective as TC-11. No other product is as compatible with rubber, paint, and plastic as TC-11. No other product removes recently set concrete from metal tools the way TC-11 does. TC-11 is a completely new and unique product

Does TC-11 stop rust?

Yes. TC-11 is like putting a layer of foam on a fuel oil fire. The TC-11 cuts off the supply of oxygen to the corrosion cell. Since the corrosion cell no longer has a source of oxygen, the corrosion cell cannot grow.


Does TC-11 remove existing rust?

Yes. TC-11 is as strong a penetrant as any product on the market. TC-11 will remove light surface rust by itself, and it will remove heavy rust if used with 0000 steel wool or a small stainless steel wire brush. For example, TC-11 can remove rust from a steel ruler without removing the paint.


Can you paint over TC-11?

No. If a TC-11 film is present, the paint will stick to the TC-11 film and not to the underlying metal. However, TC-11 works very well to remove rust as part of the process of preparing metal surfaces for paint. After using TC-11 to remove rust and corrosion, remove the TC-11 film using the TC-11 Degreasing Surface Cleaner or another quality citrus-based product. The painting section provides information on how to apply a durable coat of paint that will last for years.
 

How long does the TC-11 film last?

The lifetime of the TC-11 ranges from thirty days in an 24-hour per exposure that includes tropical sunlight, high temperatures, high humidity, rainfall, intermittent full tropical sun and rainfall, and a salt breeze to years in a zero sunlight environment such as a toolbox or under an engine cover.


The lifetime of the TC-11 film is also a  function of the amount of TC-11 applied to create the film. Light applications last weeks to months. Very heavy applications last from months to years.

 

Does TC-11 harm paint, rubber, or plastic?

No. TC-11 has been tested for ten years with every readily available commercial paint, plastic, or rubber. There has never been a case in which TC-11 attacked paint, rubber, or plastic. Although we do not recommend it, TC-11 seems to restore plastic and rubber that is suffering from excessive exposure to sunlight.

As far as paint is concerned, from a functional standpoint TC-11 is similar to paste wax, especially after the surface has been washed down with a pressure washer. The pressure washer forces the TC-11 into the micro-pores and fissures in the paint film, and the effect is the same as paste wax.
 

How does TC-11 compare to other products such as WD-40®, Tri-Flow™, LPS®-2, LPS®-3, and Corrosion Block®?

A comparison of the performance of various corrosion inhibitors is presented below:

The test results  page explains how this table was generated.

How does TC-11 compare to products such as LPS™-3, Boeshield™ T-9, or Pennzoil™ Marine?

TC-11 outperforms these products in several important ways. First, TC-11 does not form a wax film as these other products do. TC-11 is thus easier to remove and when properly applied it does not leave a residue that builds up on a surface. Second, TC-11 provides a longer-lasting corrosion inhibiting film than any of these products. Third, TC-11 is an exceptional penetrant that takes its protective qualities deep into any mechanism or across any surface. Fourth, TC-11 is more compatible with rubber paint and plastic than any of these products, as presented on the compatibility web page.

How does TC-11 compare the penetrating oils such as 3-in-1® oil and Liquid Wrench®?

The relative performance of the major brands of penetrating oil on the market is presented below.

The methodology used to generate the Penetration Test Results is presented on the penetration capability web page.
 

Are there any drawbacks to TC-11?

TC-11 is not a product that you apply once and you never have to worry about rust or corrosion forever. No such product exists. TC-11 does need to be periodically reapplied depending on the uses and conditions. The re-application period ranges from  three to fifteen months.

TC-11 is not a replacement for proper surface preparation, priming, painting, and undercoating. TC-11 compliments existing corrosion control systems, it does not replace them. TC-11 make up for the microscopic imperfections in paint films that lead to serious corrosion. TC-11 is also extremely effective at preventing corrosion on moving parts, which are impossible to paint.

TC-11 also has some residual tackiness that is a characteristic of all multi-purpose lubricants. Customers may notice this characteristic with TC-11 more than competing products. This is a function of the long film life of TC-11, not inherent stickiness. The dust is temporary and comes of easily, the rust that occurs if a film of TC-11 is not in place is permanent and highly destructive. TC-11 is designed to be periodically "washed down" and reapplied - an easy process that removes any accumulated dirt and dust and allows a fresh coat to be reapplied. It may take some time to adjust to the idea of washing down live DC or powered down AC electrical systems, but it is definitely possible with TC-11.  With regular wash downs, it is now possible to keep machinery looking and working like new its entire lifetime, and the equipment lifetime is limited only by the quality of the internal lubrication.
 

Does TC-11 help electrical systems?

Yes. TC-11 benefits electrical systems in two ways. Most electrical failures are the result of corrosion or short circuits caused by water. The corrosion causes the voltage drop across the connector or contact to increase to the point that the particular system or component no longer works. TC-11 eliminates corrosion at connectors and contacts. This means that most electrical failures are eliminated.

An added benefit of TC-11 is that it makes the electrical system very water-resistant. This means that the connectors and components will not short out if the system gets wet. This also means that it is possible to wash engines without concern about shorting out the ignition system or other electrical systems as long as a film of TC-11 is in place. With TC-11 it is possible to dispense with the aluminum foil on the distributor that is necessary when washing down untreated engines.

What is the TC-11 warranty?

TC-11 comes with a no questions asked money-back guarantee. Customers have returned less than twenty aerosols of TC-11 out of the thousands of aerosols sold. It's that good.

Health and Safety

Is TC-11 a hazardous material?

Yes. TC-11 is a D001. which means that it is ignitable in conditions that may be encountered in everyday situations. On the other hand, TC-11 is not considered to be a hazardous material when it is shipped by truck, train or boat. The D001 designation applies primarily to waste disposal procedures, not shipping procedures unless the TC-11 is shipped by air, which is not recommended. Full details are available in the MSDS.


Is Bulk TC-11 flammable?

No.


Is bulk TC-11 combustible?

Yes. TC-11 has a flash point of 110F. That means if the TC-11 is elevated to a temperature of 110 F, it will give off enough hydrocarbon vapor to generate a flammable mixture. If an ignition source, such as an electrical spark, is introduced into the mixture, it will burn in the form of a flash.

Combustible materials are inherently less hazardous than flammable materials. Flammable materials generate explosive mixture at ambient temperatures, i.e. less than 110 F. Combustible materials do not generate explosive mixtures at temperatures that are normally encountered in commercial of consumer situations, particularly in interior conditions. Temporary ambient temperature excursions of 110 F or more do not necessarily mean that the TC-11 will reach 110 F because of thermal mass, i.e. it take a long time for the average fluid temperature to reach 110 F, even if the temperature is above 100 F. Average ambient temperatures of more than 100 F are very rare.
 

Is TC-11 in an aerosol flammable?

Yes. Most hydrocarbons ignite easily if they are mixed with air by an atomizing nozzle. If an ignition source is applied to the hydrocarbon/air mixture, it will burn in the form of a "blow torch". This is true for all products classified as ORM-Ds, including paint, insecticides, and air fresheners.


Is it necessary to use a respirator when applying TC-11?

It depends upon the situation. If you are applying a small amount of TC-11 with an aerosol, it is highly unlikely that you will inhale any hydrocarbon vapors. If you are using a low-pressure sprayer with an application wand in an enclosed space, you need to wear a respirator rated for organic vapor and to use it according to the manufacturer's instructions.


Is it necessary to wear eye protection while using TC-11?

It depends upon the situation, as noted above. If there is a remote possibility that you may get some TC-11 in your eyes, wear eye protection.
 

What happens if someone swallows TC-11 by accident?

The primary chemicals of concern in TC-11 are aliphatic hydrocarbons. Diesel fuel and gasoline are both very familiar aliphatic hydrocarbons.

If a person ingests TC-11, the person will get a severe case of diarrhea and may become slightly intoxicated. The "cure" for ingesting TC-11 is activated carbon. The activated carbon will absorb the TC-11 much more rapidly than the stomach wall.

The one thing you do not want to do is regurgitate in an attempt to remove the TC-11 from the gastro-intestinal tract. There is a good possibility that some of the TC-11 will get into the bronchial tract in the process of vomiting. Once the hydrocarbons are in the lung, the probability of chemical pneumonia is quite high. This is why it is better to tolerate the discomfort than to risk a deadly disease.
 

What happens if someone gets TC-11 in their eyes?

TC-11 is definitely not intended for contact with eyes. If TC-11 manages to get into a persons eyes, that person should rinse their eyes with a stream of fresh water for fifteen minutes and seek medical attention.
 

What happens if TC-11 gets on a persons skin?

When TC-11 is first applied, it contains aliphatic hydrocarbons. Although the health risks associated with this type of hydrocarbon are relatively minor, skin contact with "fresh" TC-11 is definitely not recommended. Once the TC-11 has "set", which takes anywhere from ten to forty minutes, depending upon the temperature, it is no longer a skin exposure risk. In case of skin contact wash the area with soap and water, If irritation develops seek medical attention.

 

How should I store TC-11?

If you have more than ten gallons of combustible or flammable liquids stored at a commercial facility, you are required by Federal, State, and Local regulations to store the TC-11 in a "proper storage device". This usually takes the form of a paint locker.

If you have a total of less than less than ten gallons of flammable liquids stored at your commercial facility, you are not required by law to have a paint locker, but it is a very good idea. Always check with the Fire Department if you have any questions about this topic.

Consumers may store TC-11 in any manner they deem fit, as long as they do not go over the ten-gallon threshold for the total volume of flammable liquids stored at one house.


 

Environmental

What is the environmental impact of TC-11?

TC-11 significantly reduces the total environmental impact of owning and operating a piece of metal equipment based upon extending the lifetime of the equipment and reducing the need for additional parts and labor to maintain the piece of equipment. The negative environmental impact of producing a ton of steel is significant. Because TC-11 reduces the overall metal production rate by reducing the total demand for metal, TC-11 has a very positive environmental impact.


How does the environmental impact of TC-11 compare to similar products?

There are approximately 60 products that provide some form of penetrating ability, lubricating ability, and corrosion inhibiting ability. In many cases TC-11 can do the job of two or even three separate products.

All products in this class generate volatile organic constituents, or VOCs. The total VOC release rate is fairly consistent for all of the products in this class. The "evaporating films" tend to have higher VOC emission rates (i.e. 100%) and the "wax forming films" tend to have lower VOC emission rates: the wax film is not volatile.


Wax generating films do not have significant lubricating or penetrating qualities. It is necessary to use an additional product or two to achieve the same results as using TC-11 by itself. This significantly increases the total VOC generation rate for this type of product.

Since TC-11 does not evaporate and it does not form a wax film, the specific VOC generation rate per day of protection per square foot of protection is lower for TC-11 than it is for the other products in its class.
 

Is TC-11 carcinogenic?

No. TC-11 does not contain any "Proposition 65" chemicals. This means that no evidence exists to identify any of the chemicals present in TC-11 as an initiator or a promoter of cancerous cells in human or animal studies.
 

Is TC-11 mutagenic?

No. There are no bacteria screening tests or animal studies that indicate that TC-11 can break chromosomes or cause genetic replication errors.
 

Does TC-11 cause birth defects?

There are no studies that indicate that the chemicals present in TC-11 cause birth defects.


What is the transport fate of TC-11 in the environment?

TC-11 does not evaporate. TC-11 is degraded by the following mechanisms:

No. The rinse water will contain trace amounts of residual petroleum hydrocarbon. Any commercial facility that is generating wash down water is required by law to have a water treatment system that can prevent the discharge of pollutants into the environment above levels determined by Federal, State, and Local regulations. In most cases, this takes the form of a oil/water separator with a activated carbon bed. An oil/water separator is highly effective in removing TC-11, and the activated carbon filter operates as a polishing filter. Because TC-11 does not require the use of soap or degreasers, the discharge water is relatively non-hazardous.