Do I need to paint or seal Corten steel?

Short Answer

No. The natural patina is the protection – that’s the whole point of weathering steel!

Why Coatings Aren’t Needed

Corten is designed to protect itself. The rust layer that forms is the finish. Adding paint defeats this purpose and prevents this patina from forming properly.

Paint can trap moisture. If it cracks, water gets in and causes rust underneath – often worse than bare steel.

What Tubeco Supplies

Tubeco supplies A847 Corten steel tube in new, mill condition – no coatings applied.

Availability

Tubeco keeps a wide range of Corten steel tube sizes in stock, and ships across the U.S., Canada, and Mexico from our warehouse near St. Louis, Missouri. We also offer laser cutting services for custom lengths.

If you have a specific size or timeline in mind, we can help confirm availability.