769 Rust-Oleum
The Legendary, Original Rust Primer
27 June 2025
Today, everyone is talking about anti-corrosion primers. But how many can truly say they created the product that revolutionized the industry? Only one: Rust-Oleum 769. The original—born from a brilliant intuition, perfected through scientific rigor, and still unrivaled today.
The Birth of a Legend
It all began in the early 1900s, when Scottish sea captain Robert Fergusson, while sailing across the world, noticed something curious: fish oil protected metal from rust. After settling in the United States, Fergusson perfected a blend of fish oil and tung oil (also known as chinawood oil), creating a transparent solution that stopped rust and dried overnight—without wrinkling or unpleasant odors.
In 1921, while the market still relied on thick, toxic, lead-based paints (like the infamous red lead), Fergusson launched his revolutionary formula. The success was immediate.
From Garage to Industry
Driven by increasing demand, Fergusson brought in new partners and began industrial-scale production of the first pigmented anti-corrosion paint, available in a variety of colors: rust red, grey, green.
By 1950, Rust-Oleum was offering over 150 products across the United States.
Scientific Proof: The Ultimate Test
In 1955, an independent institution—the Battelle Memorial Institute in Columbus, Ohio—demonstrated using carbon-14 radioactive tracers that Rust-Oleum paint penetrates through the rust down to the healthy metal underneath. This result was reconfirmed in the 1990s using updated testing methods.
The European Expansion and Continued Success
Rust-Oleum entered Europe in 1959, establishing a plant in the Netherlands. Since then, our 769 product has continued to be manufactured there, using the same original technology. No imitation has ever matched its effectiveness.
Why Rust-Oleum 769 Stands Apart
✅ Direct application on rust, no sandblasting required
✅ Penetrates to the healthy metal, blocks corrosion
✅ Oil-based, yet fast-drying
Certified performance:
1 coat at 35 µm on steel prepared to St2 (ISO 8501-3)
Adhesion: DIN 53155 = Gt0-1
Salt spray test (ASTM 117-73 / DIN 50021 / DIN 53167): 1000 hours – Re3-4
A result exceeding international standards for anti-corrosion primers.
The Perfect Pairing? Our Professional Tools
As a company specialized in professional painting tools, we chose to pair our brushes and rollers with the best products on the market. That’s why we became official Rust-Oleum distributors—offering a complete, high-performance solution for professionals and businesses.
To get the most out of Rust-Oleum 769, we recommend applying it with our best tools:
Pennellessa S K – our classic brush made with a blend of high-quality blonde bristle and polyester fiber.
Kristall 958 Roller – microtech shaved fabric, 9 mm pile height.
Both are designed to ensure optimal coverage, smooth application, and excellent control—even on rusty or irregular surfaces.
Trust the original protection. Trust Cervus quality.
With Rust-Oleum 769 and Cervus Brushes, we provide a complete, proven technical solution—designed for those who work with metal every day and can’t afford to compromise on quality.
Contact us for more information or to request a personalized consultation.
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