1691 T. Hale Acct. New Inventions 21 Being so Rust-proof in themselves.

1842 Mechanics' Mag. 30 Apr. 384/2 It [sc. Egyptian bronze-making] is one of the lost arts, the re-discovery of which, (chiefly, however, on account of the rust-proof property of this compound metal,) would be worth a diadem.

1892 Jrnl. Iron & Steel Inst. 2 479 Several experiments..to produce a rust-proof coating on iron with the aid of acids.

1907 T. Eaton & Co. Catal. Spring–Summer 215/3 Three large cupboards..each one has metal rust proof bottom.

1960 Farmer & Stockbreeder 19 Jan. 45/2 Rust-proof heavy gauge pressed steel bowl.

2001 R. Nicoll White Male Heart (2002) 72 Cans of black rustproof paint stood at the other side of the cage.

1841 Farmers' Cabinet 15 Sept. 54/2 The crops of every kind are abundant; the wheat—the red chaff bearded—..having proved, like that, fly and rust proof—shows the best sample that I have ever seen.

1884 Science 11 Apr. 458/1 Some sorts are more capable than others of resisting rust, though no varieties are rust-proof.

1931 J. S. Huxley What dare I Think? i. 36 We can now produce relatively rust-proof wheat.

1936 Amer. Home Feb. 80/2 Rust-proof Snapdragons, proved to be life savers to many garden lovers.

2008 B. Damrosch Garden Primer iv. 124/1 Some [new plants], such as rust-proof asparagus, have been developed to resist specific diseases.

1886 Mechanics 15 Nov. 249/2 The present process consists in suspending the objects, which are to be ‘rust proofed’, as the anodes in a bath of water at 70 degrees to 80 degrees centigrade, and using cathodes of copper, carbon or iron.

1910 Cycling 2 Feb. 95 (heading) Rust-proofing the bicycle.

1977 ‘E. Crispin’ Glimpses of Moon xii. 252 Was it practicable to rustproof metallic structures, as one did cars?

2000 Leading Lights 3 No. 1. 8/3 All cast iron fittings were cleaned rustproofed and painted, any damaged beyond repair were replaced with facsimile fittings.

1887 in ‘J. Bickerdyke’ Angling in Salt Water 116 (advt.) The Cholmondeley-Pennell turn-down-eyed fishing-hook..rust-proofed.

1925 Morris Owner's Man. 83 A detachable plug consisting of three parts—a rustproofed steel body and gland nut and an insulated central electrode.

1960 Farmer & Stockbreeder 22 Mar. 138/2 (advt.) Storage Bin. Substantially made from rust-proofed steel.

1998 Classic Cars Apr. 214/4 (advt.) Jaguar XJ6, 4.2, 1979, Series 3, 43,000 miles, rustproofed from new.

1921 Tariff Chem. Oils & Paints (U.S. Senate Comm. on Finance) 1111 The electroplaters, the rustproofers, those engaged in the heat treating of steel and iron, and the fumigators are the principal consumers.

1972 Pop. Mech. Oct. 139/1 If the dealer had the car in inventory a long time, sitting on a lot..an honest rustproofer will be reluctant to do the job and give a guarantee against rust-out.

2007 Toronto Star (Nexis) 22 Sept. w25 Many dealerships utilize reputable aftermarket rustproofers to apply the packages they sell.