Traffic signal poles and bases are often coated with paints for outdoor protection. Although heavy duty, these coatings may be damaged during transportation. While a small dent or scratch may not harm appearance, it opens the way for water and salt to attack the metal. Once started, corrosion can easily creep to other areas beneath the coating, eventually leading to unsightly holes and structural damage if unaddressed for too long.
Rather than wait until the damage is done, preventive measures are a smart way to save time, money, and effort in the long run. Something as simple as applying a clear protective coating over the original paint can shield it against further damage and protect exposed areas that may have been scratched in transit.
Near the intersection, large silver boxes house the wires, controls, and battery backups that run traffic lights. Wires inside these traffic signal cabinets are typically protected by heavy sheathing, but electrical contact points and other bare metal surfaces can still be at risk for corrosion from dampness and deicing salts seeping in through cracks, or temperature swings triggering condensation on metal contacts. The simplest way to protect even the smallest exposed metal surface is to introduce vapor-phase corrosion inhibitors.