Rust-Oleum

Active

Founded: 1921
HQ: Vernon Hills, Illinois, USA
Employees: ~1400
Parent: Subsidiary of RPM International Inc., a US holding company for paint-related manufacturers

Indexes

Flashlights Garden Power Tools Smart Locks Smart Plugs & Switches Smart Thermostats Tool Storage

Overview

Rust-Oleum manufactures paints, coatings, primers, cleaners, and related products for DIY consumers and professionals. It holds the leading market share in small-project paints in the US and Canada, with a broad portfolio covering rust prevention, automotive, industrial, wood care, and concrete applications. The company produces over 100 million items annually, including being the world's largest producer of paint aerosols.

History

Founded in 1921 by sea captain Robert Fergusson in the US, who discovered rust-preventive properties in fish oil on his ship. It grew from a sole proprietorship selling rust preventive paints into a global coatings leader. Acquired by RPM International Inc., it expanded through brands like Stops Rust, Zinsser, and Varathane, and in 2025 acquired Star Brands Group including The Pink Stuff for its cleaners business.

Product Lines

Product Line	Positioning	Price Range
Stops Rust (rust preventive paints)	protective coatings for metal surfaces	$5 - $20
Painter’s Touch (small project spray paints)	DIY multi-surface paints	$6 - $15
High Performance (industrial coatings)	durable coatings for professionals	$20 - $100
Varathane (wood care finishes)	stains and finishes for wood	$10 - $40
Zinsser (primers and paints)	problem-solving primers	$15 - $50
RockSolid (garage floor coatings)	epoxy concrete coatings	$50 - $200

Manufacturing

Production facilities include sites in Zelem, Belgium, and Newcastle, UK for Europe, with additional factories in 10 countries globally. The company manufactures in-house, producing over 100 million items yearly, specializing in aerosols as the world's largest producer. US operations support its headquarters in Vernon Hills, Illinois.

Notable Products

Stops Rust - Rust-preventive spray paint originating from fish oil discovery, available in multiple colors.
Painter’s Touch - Multi-purpose spray paint for small DIY projects on various surfaces.
RockSolid Garage Floor Coating - Epoxy-based coating system for concrete floors.
Zinsser Bulls Eye 1-2-3 Primer - Water-based primer for stain-blocking and adhesion.
Varathane Polyurethane - Protective finish for wood surfaces.
The Pink Stuff - Cleaning paste acquired in 2025 for tough stain removal.

Reputation

Rust-Oleum is recognized by DIYers and professionals for reliable rust protection and affordable spray paints, with strong brand loyalty in the US market. Professionals value its industrial and maintenance coatings for durability in renovation projects. Some users note variability in coverage consistency across aerosol products, though overall quality control is considered solid.

Sources (6)