In the climate where I live, road salt used everywhere.

I want to keep my car for at least 5 years, is it advisable to get it rustproofed?

If so, what is the best rustproofing system?

Thanks.

 

Rustproofing went out years ago. All manufacturers now build their cars differently then years past and include a rust through warranty. And back years ago places like rusty jones would poke holes and spray inside the panels, essentially voiding the manufacturer'a warranty.

Bottom line is the panels were treated at the factory and no additional rust proofing is needed. You might want to clean the car now and then in the winter to wash away much of the salt.

 

The warranty is for body panels only, and specifically excludes surface rust on the underbody or any other part of the vehicle except body panels.

Anybody in the salt producing states have any experience with underbody or muffler parts rusting out?

 

we got the undercoating from the dealer

 

Was your sales guy named Jerry Lundegaard?

 

Rustproofing and undercoating is all profit for the dealer and totally unnecessary. Don't waste your $$$$. I bought a car in the past (94 Civic) and was told I had to talk to the aftermarket guy (the one who sells all the stuff you don't need) on the dealership lot before I could complete the sale. He told me the car I was buying (which was new) was 40% louder w/o undercoating and would be prone to rust (even back then, there were body panel rust through warrantys). I told him if he didn't shut up right then, I would walk off the lot and the sale would have been cancelled. I didn't get the undercoating/ rustproofing, obviously.

 

well I have had cars for 185,000 miles and driven it on salt covered roads in NE. Muffler went at 160K. If you expect that you will not ever get a spec of rust on the underside of the car... good luck finding someone who will cover it. Surface rust is one thing, rust through is another. I have had undercoating in the past but that was years ago. It was more for sound deadening than for rust.

And if you find a place that pokes holes in panels to spay into the frame or body, you will violate the manufacturer's warranty. Ziebart and Rusty jones were the companies in NE that are out of business now. As many people have stated in the past, it is not worth it. If you feel it gives you peace of mind, then by all means get it, also get the extended warranty, tire warranty and rim warranty. It is what you think its worth.

My advice to the orginal poster is to leave it alone, the car us fine as is. Undercoat if you want and if you find someone to do that. Detail the car on a regualr basis and you will be fine. The car will not last forever ... Nothing does...

 

Rusty Jones is out of business because they got caught basically ripping people off. Their contract, which of course nobody read, stated that they would fix your rusted car OR REFUND YOUR MONEY. That was the scam. If the rust was minor, they'd fix it. If the rust was bad enough that it would cost them more than you paid, they'd just give you your money back. In the meantime, your money was earning them interest. There was no way for the consumer to come out ahead on the deal.

 

drove all winter last year in salted roads last year, no rusting problem. i have not had a rust problem with my last car as well with salt. rust proofing is another dealer scam just like that super duper shiny protective coating that lasts forever.

 

i dont think so, i forgot his name, he was south asian for sure. which dealership did u go to?

 

bad story one night coming home with a date of mine driving on the boardwalk here in virginia beach, it rained really hard that afternoon into the night coming out of the movie then dropping her off home the roads were so flooded i could here like water filtering through my tl or something but i had to be crying the whole time driving through that cause i was scared of rusting from the seawater and everything. i was ready to stop the car where it was high off the ground and just wait it out but if you live in virginia and know the oceanfront well enough it takes awhile for the water to subside.. luckily i took it back to the dealership and told them the situation and since then i haven't noticed anything.

 

The salesman in Fargo right? (William Macy)

 

Rustproofing is virtually unnecessary these days given the metal processing methods.

Galvanization is exceptionally good at resisting rust, and most cars receive standard rust-proofing from the factory, anyway.

My car has been through 2 Michigan winters so far, and the chassis is holding up very well without any serious signs of rusting, and the body panels are completely free of rust, except for a spot where I cracked the paint while rolling the fenders. But that was all my fault, so it doesn't count.

 

Is your salesman David Putty? AKA Patrick Warburton?? haha