Metal coatings are intended to protect objects from atmospheric humidity and corrosive salts. The protective action of a coating is influenced by the condition of the metal surface to be coated, the adhesion of the coating to the surface, the continuity of the coating film, the impermeability of the film, and the presence of a corrosion inhibitor in the film. Keene discusses these influences in some detail before presenting conclusions drawn from a performance evaluation of poly(vinyl acetate), wax, and epoxy resin coatings on archaeological iron: except for epoxy resins, the consolidants and lacquers currently used do little to increase the stability of archaeological iron. See AATA 21-1334 for reference to entire proceedings.