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Rust is very bad for your car. It will also depreciate the value of
your car more than any other problem. It is the most difficult and
expensive problem to fix.
The best way to protect your car against rust is to keep the body
clean and check it regularly. If you see a light brown stain, don't
ignore it, have it fixed before it gets worse. Although most rust
problems can be repaired, if it involves chrome parts, you will need
to replace them.
The major cause of rust is salt on the roads. The salt carries
moisture into every nook and cranny of your car. Rising temperatures
bring on salt-caused oxidation. This makes the salt already in your
car worse in the spring. Heat in your garage will also bring out the
worst in the salt. Acid rain is also bad for your car's body; it
ruins the paint that protects the metal of the body.
Undercoating is not rustproofing. Its job is to deaden sound. If any
salt or moisture gets into the undercoating, it aids in the rusting
process.
To prevent rust:
1. Keep your car clean and well waxed.
2. Rinse the underside with water when salt is in use or if you live
in a salty area.
3. Keep your wheel wells clean and free from material that holds
moisture, such as dirt or leaves.
4. Make sure that all drain holes in the frame, floor and bottoms of
doors are clear.
5. After you wash your car, open the doors to let the water drain
out.
Rust proofing is a treatment of waxy paste sprayed inside the body
panels by an "after market" specialist. The specialist drills holes
in hidden areas, sprays in the paste, and plugs the holes. Another
type of rustproofing is a clear silicon-based spray that is applied
to your paint to protect it from chemicals and pollution. Modern cars
come with good built-in corrosion protection and warranties against
corrosion. You might wind up sealing in the corrosives you are trying
to protect against. Also, many car manufacturers void your corrosion
warranty if you have your car rustproofed. The best course is to take
the rust preventative measures listed above.
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