Rustproofing: Legitimate or Crock?
#1
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Rustproofing: Legitimate or Crock?
Anybody have experience with rustproofing their car?
Bought my 03 Accord from the original owner, who had it rustproofed every year. I don't know if I should keep it up because I'm not sure if it's legitimate or just the latest money-grabbing scheme. Worth the $80 every year?
Bought my 03 Accord from the original owner, who had it rustproofed every year. I don't know if I should keep it up because I'm not sure if it's legitimate or just the latest money-grabbing scheme. Worth the $80 every year?
#2
Evil Mazda Driver
I know a lot of people in the Hyundai community swear by Krown rustproofing and I've heard mostly positive things. However since Oregon does not use road salt, rust-proofing is kind of a moot point here.
#3
California ftw!
#4
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Bottom line, depends on how you feel about it. If you like having the peace of mind of having that service, then for $80 a year, by all means go for it. If you feel a little funny about it, then get a good coat of wax and wax it and clay it every month. When there is salt and snow on the car, just make sure to rinse it off.
#6
From what I understand, by following the proper maintenance schedule (eg: coating once a year religiously), rustproofing can be very effective at discouraging rust from the underbody. I *believe* there are a few areas that will still get rust over time, but overall, rustproofing will keep it pretty rust-free. How does the car look so far with what the previous owner did?
FWIW, I've never done it and don't plan to with future cars, but yes, everything rusts.
FWIW, I've never done it and don't plan to with future cars, but yes, everything rusts.
#7
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(Northeast Florida)
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^^^Maybe you're good at reading between the lines (Lord knows I'm not
), but where does it say about the underbody?
If so, about the underbody, my advice still stands: it's a peace of mind thing. If you feel like it's worth it, go for it, otherwise, just rinse off the road salt every week or so.
When I lived in Maryland, I would take my car to a specialty car wash that removed all deposits from the undercarriage of the car.
If you REALLY want to get down to the nitty gritty, and I have done this with a NY car before I moved to Florida, is to get the car on a lift, Dremel or grind down the "paint" from the metal on the undercarriage, and then powdercoat the frame.
![Big Grin](https://acurazine.com/forums/images/smilies/biggrin.gif)
If so, about the underbody, my advice still stands: it's a peace of mind thing. If you feel like it's worth it, go for it, otherwise, just rinse off the road salt every week or so.
When I lived in Maryland, I would take my car to a specialty car wash that removed all deposits from the undercarriage of the car.
If you REALLY want to get down to the nitty gritty, and I have done this with a NY car before I moved to Florida, is to get the car on a lift, Dremel or grind down the "paint" from the metal on the undercarriage, and then powdercoat the frame.
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#11
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I'm from SoCal, so take what I say with a grain of salt. ![Teef](https://acurazine.com/forums/images/smilies/teef.gif)
Cars are all "rustproofed" from the factory to start, but it's still a legitimate concern in snowy areas.
Do you get to inspect the bottom of the car up on a lift at least once a year (like when getting oil changed, etc.)? If so, I'd be tempted to skip the annual rustproofing for visual inspections when up on the lift, then deal with rust if it occurs.
![Teef](https://acurazine.com/forums/images/smilies/teef.gif)
Cars are all "rustproofed" from the factory to start, but it's still a legitimate concern in snowy areas.
Do you get to inspect the bottom of the car up on a lift at least once a year (like when getting oil changed, etc.)? If so, I'd be tempted to skip the annual rustproofing for visual inspections when up on the lift, then deal with rust if it occurs.
#12
I have a 1994 Ford F150 that was rustproofed every year as specified. It's last treatment was 2004. Up until that point there was never any rust in the fender lips or beneath the doors. When the car was new, small holes were drilled into the inside of the jams and places not easily accessible. These holes were covered with rubber plugs. The plugs were removed yearly by the firm doing the rustproofing and materials sprayed into the openings. Overall, I would recommend it, especially because of your location.
Terry
Terry
#14
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Bottom line, depends on how you feel about it. If you like having the peace of mind of having that service, then for $80 a year, by all means go for it. If you feel a little funny about it, then get a good coat of wax and wax it and clay it every month. When there is salt and snow on the car, just make sure to rinse it off.
From what I understand, by following the proper maintenance schedule (eg: coating once a year religiously), rustproofing can be very effective at discouraging rust from the underbody. I *believe* there are a few areas that will still get rust over time, but overall, rustproofing will keep it pretty rust-free. How does the car look so far with what the previous owner did?
FWIW, I've never done it and don't plan to with future cars, but yes, everything rusts.
FWIW, I've never done it and don't plan to with future cars, but yes, everything rusts.
^^^Maybe you're good at reading between the lines (Lord knows I'm not
), but where does it say about the underbody?
If so, about the underbody, my advice still stands: it's a peace of mind thing. If you feel like it's worth it, go for it, otherwise, just rinse off the road salt every week or so.
When I lived in Maryland, I would take my car to a specialty car wash that removed all deposits from the undercarriage of the car.
If you REALLY want to get down to the nitty gritty, and I have done this with a NY car before I moved to Florida, is to get the car on a lift, Dremel or grind down the "paint" from the metal on the undercarriage, and then powdercoat the frame.
![Big Grin](https://acurazine.com/forums/images/smilies/biggrin.gif)
If so, about the underbody, my advice still stands: it's a peace of mind thing. If you feel like it's worth it, go for it, otherwise, just rinse off the road salt every week or so.
When I lived in Maryland, I would take my car to a specialty car wash that removed all deposits from the undercarriage of the car.
If you REALLY want to get down to the nitty gritty, and I have done this with a NY car before I moved to Florida, is to get the car on a lift, Dremel or grind down the "paint" from the metal on the undercarriage, and then powdercoat the frame.
![Scared](https://acurazine.com/forums/images/smilies/scared.gif)
I'm from SoCal, so take what I say with a grain of salt. ![Teef](https://acurazine.com/forums/images/smilies/teef.gif)
Cars are all "rustproofed" from the factory to start, but it's still a legitimate concern in snowy areas.
Do you get to inspect the bottom of the car up on a lift at least once a year (like when getting oil changed, etc.)? If so, I'd be tempted to skip the annual rustproofing for visual inspections when up on the lift, then deal with rust if it occurs.
![Teef](https://acurazine.com/forums/images/smilies/teef.gif)
Cars are all "rustproofed" from the factory to start, but it's still a legitimate concern in snowy areas.
Do you get to inspect the bottom of the car up on a lift at least once a year (like when getting oil changed, etc.)? If so, I'd be tempted to skip the annual rustproofing for visual inspections when up on the lift, then deal with rust if it occurs.
I have a 1994 Ford F150 that was rustproofed every year as specified. It's last treatment was 2004. Up until that point there was never any rust in the fender lips or beneath the doors. When the car was new, small holes were drilled into the inside of the jams and places not easily accessible. These holes were covered with rubber plugs. The plugs were removed yearly by the firm doing the rustproofing and materials sprayed into the openings. Overall, I would recommend it, especially because of your location.
Terry
Terry
I think I'm going to keep up with underbody rustproofing. However driving in the winter here every day, the salt can get up all over the car, almost halfway up through the doors. I don't know if you can rustproof paint though.
#15
Certainly not like it has 300 000 kilometers on it. After sixteen years of road salt combined with -40 temperatures it looks amazingly well. I've had numerous trucks since then, but this was the only one that was rustproofed. I think it was money well spent.
Terry
#16
The sizzle in the Steak
What's this rust you are talking about?
#18
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#19
AMAN: If you're willing to put up the money each year, follow the recommended schedule, and if you are planning to keep the car long enough for it to actually matter - continue doing it (assuming you already notice it's made a difference vs. not rust-proofing at all). Most people don't keep their cars long enough for rust to really be a problem.
I have had a few pieces rust to the point of them being an issue -- the heat shield and a hanger -- but the car was also 13 years old. In the long run, I didn't bother replacing the shield and the hanger was only a few bucks to replace. My current car is 11 years old and aside from the underbody not looking pretty, there hasn't been any issues caused by rust.
I have had a few pieces rust to the point of them being an issue -- the heat shield and a hanger -- but the car was also 13 years old. In the long run, I didn't bother replacing the shield and the hanger was only a few bucks to replace. My current car is 11 years old and aside from the underbody not looking pretty, there hasn't been any issues caused by rust.
#21
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AMAN: If you're willing to put up the money each year, follow the recommended schedule, and if you are planning to keep the car long enough for it to actually matter - continue doing it (assuming you already notice it's made a difference vs. not rust-proofing at all). Most people don't keep their cars long enough for rust to really be a problem.
I have had a few pieces rust to the point of them being an issue -- the heat shield and a hanger -- but the car was also 13 years old. In the long run, I didn't bother replacing the shield and the hanger was only a few bucks to replace. My current car is 11 years old and aside from the underbody not looking pretty, there hasn't been any issues caused by rust.
I have had a few pieces rust to the point of them being an issue -- the heat shield and a hanger -- but the car was also 13 years old. In the long run, I didn't bother replacing the shield and the hanger was only a few bucks to replace. My current car is 11 years old and aside from the underbody not looking pretty, there hasn't been any issues caused by rust.
For me it's primarily cosmetic, I try to take care of my car's exterior, so it would be frustrating for rust to show up in a couple years. I think I'll keep it up.
Anybody have a recommended rustproofing/rustproofer? Krown?
#22
Three Wheelin'
The original owner of my CL had the cars underbody coated at least 3 times in the 8 or so years that they owned it. I have the Zeibart receipts in the folder they gave me. When I bought the car, the typical quarter panel rust had already started to take hold. It was only a small bubble then. It's since turned into a nickle sized patch and I've owned the car for 5 years.
I had my Regal coated a couple years ago, but I bought the stuff from Eastwood and sprayed it myself. It was cheaper that way and I was in control of where it was applied and how much.
I don't know it works all that well, but the peace of mind of knowing that it's there makes it worth it to me.
I had my Regal coated a couple years ago, but I bought the stuff from Eastwood and sprayed it myself. It was cheaper that way and I was in control of where it was applied and how much.
I don't know it works all that well, but the peace of mind of knowing that it's there makes it worth it to me.
#23
Senior Moderator
I have seen good jobs and i have seen bad ones. I have seen vehicles rust out faster from the undercoating/rust proofing. If done wrong the jobs can plug factory drain holes and cause things to rust from the inside out.
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#26
Needs more Lemon Pledge
I only rustproof the interior. It the only part I care about anymore...
#27
Someday, an RS6 Avant+
I'm thinking about getting it done to my Subaru, but the charge is about $300 for an initial application (Ziebart). Then you get it checked regularly and new applications are put on as needed only. I might bite if i stay longer then the projected 2 or 3 years I have left.
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