A liquid corrosion inhibitor comprising a primary, secondary, tertiary or mixed amine complexing agent and a carboxylic acid complexing agent, and may further contain a pH adjusting agent and an antifreeze agent, which is capable of providing both short-term and long-term corrosion protection on ferrous and non-ferrous metal substrates and protection from flash rusting commonly associated with ferrous metal substrates, without adversely affecting high gloss in coatings.