The process of galvanizing involves forming a layer of zinc on the surface of a metal. Zinc has the natural ability to resist corrosion. There are several methods to galvanize a metal. “Hot-dip” galvanizing involves immersing a metal into a bath of molten zinc. “Sherardizing” is a galvanizing method done by placing a given metal in a vacuum, bombarding it with zinc dust and heating to a relatively high temperature. Heating the material assures thorough bonding of the zinc layer to the metal.
According to the Guide to Conservation of Metals, water, oxygen and electrolytes promote rapid corrosion. If you take one of these elements out of the equation, a given metal will not corrode as easily. You can apply polymeric materials to metals in sheet or powder form to prevent them from corroding. The only downfall to this method of corrosion prevention is if any part of the metal's surface remains uncovered, it can rapidly corrode.
Utilizing conversion coatings can decrease the likelihood of a metal corroding. Chemical reactions in this method produce corrosion-resistant layers of usually phosphate or chromate on the surface of a metal. Conversion coatings can prepare the surface of a metal for a layer of paint, according to the Guide to Conservation of Metals.
There are a countless number of materials you can paint onto the surface of a metal to make it more corrosion resistant. Paints can prevent electrolytes from taking their necessary part in the corrosion process. Many paints naturally discourage corrosion because they often contain heavy-metal organic salts. You can “galvanize” metals by painting a layer of zinc onto the surface.