rezincing

Rezincing is a term used in discussions of corrosion control to denote the restoration of zinc-based protective coatings on galvanized steel or other zinc-containing substrates. The word is a neologism and has no formal definition in major standards; its meaning can vary by industry. In general, rezincing refers to methods intended to reintroduce zinc to a surface where the original galvanic coating has been damaged, worn, or compromised, in order to restore barrier protection and sacrificial corrosion resistance.

Common approaches described under rezincing include mechanical cleaning or abrasion to remove rust and contaminants, followed by application of zinc-rich primers or zinc-based coatings, electroplating, or hot-dip reinstating processes. Some practitioners differentiate between localized repair (spot rezincing) and full-surface re-zincing. The choice of method depends on substrate type, corrosion environment, required durability, and cost considerations. Rezincing is sometimes discussed in contexts of maintenance for infrastructure, automotive parts, and maritime equipment where galvanic protection is critical.

Critiques of rezincing emphasize the need for durability tests, compatibility with existing coatings, and the risk of galvanic mismatch if only zinc-rich paints are used without proper surface preparation. As a term, rezincing remains informal; professionals may prefer explicit terms such as re-galvanizing, zinc-rich coating, or repair coating to describe the same concept.