A corrosion inhibitor has a film-forming portion. In one embodiment, the corrosion inhibitor further includes a surfactant, a coupling solvent and a carrier solvent. In another embodiment, the corrosion inhibitor has a film-forming portion that includes at least two multi-dentate compounds and a compound having a single active group. Each of the multi-dentate compounds and the compound having a single active group are selected from the group consisting of compounds having nitrogen-containing polar groups, compounds having acid groups and combinations thereof.