How to Prevent Rust before it Begins

Despite the growing importance of plastics and other materials in the manufacturing of motor vehicles, the cars and trucks on the roads are still made predominantly of steel.

Steel is mostly iron with carbon and a few other compounds added – and, iron rusts.

Rust is a coating that forms on the surface of iron when it is exposed to air and moisture. The iron joins with hydrogen and oxygen in a process called oxidization.

Protective Coatings help to Prevent Rust

Automobile manufacturers have long been aware of the dangers of rust and have taken steps to prevent it. However, they have been limited by the available technology in protective coatings and in the methods by which such coatings can be applied.

During the manufacture of any modern vehicle the body shell is put through numerous costly preparatory steps before the paint is finally applied.

Shining new panels are coated with special oils after pressing which resist corrosion and assist the flow of electrical current used in spot welding while the vehicles are being assembled.

Corrosion Begins out of Sight

However, the design of any vehicle creates inaccessible inner areas with surfaces where rust can begin, unseen and undetected until it’s too late to do anything but repair the damaged sections.

Wherever dirt and dust accumulate in a car is a potential breeding ground for rust. The interiors of car doors can rust out when moisture becomes trapped with particles of dirt and corrosion begins.

Once started, rust grows and eats away at its host. If left untreated it quickly spreads and there’s no way to reverse the process. The earlier the problem is identified and tackled, the better.

There are very practical safety reasons for rust prevention that go well beyond the external appearance of a vehicle.

Rust is not only unattractive. It is dangerous. It weakens a car’s body and reduces its ability to withstand impacts. It can also create passages for exhaust fumes to enter the passenger cabin.

Rust Repairs aren’t just Cosmetic

Rust repairs involve cutting out and replacing the affected areas: Start by removing all rust from the surface of the vehicle. For small rust spots, hand sanding or sandblasting may be used. On larger rusted areas, a grinder may be employed.

Professional repairers then replace damaged sections with panels of new metal, shaped to fit the body sections that have been removed. This panel is welded into place and is then finished and painted to match the rest of the body.

The labor involved in replacing rusted body metal with shaped or formed sections is a great deal more costly than simply filling in the gaps with plastic filler.

Plastic filler can be used for some simple rust repairs, but this is strictly for the do-it-yourselfer and is not used by professional repairers.

When considering rust repairs discuss the method to be used with the body repair shop. It can be expensive, but over time it can be well worth the investment.

Prevent Rust with Regular Washing & Drying

Washing and drying a car removes the dirt and debris where rust can begin. Clean the car thoroughly, paying special attention to inside fenders and wheel wells. Make sure that all drain holes around the trunk and hood and on the underside of doors are clear.

It’s important to dry a car correctly: before putting a towel to your paint, if you have access to a blower, you should try blowing out panel gaps, trim pieces, lug nuts, between mirrors and glass, and lights.

For a drying towel, you should use a microfiber waffle weave drying towel for removing any water left behind.

If possible clean the undercarriage areas too. This is especially important for vehicles driven on roads where salt is used to melt ice on the roads.

Rust detection isn’t always simple. Look for bubbles in the paint or areas of discoloration, particularly any areas with a brownish or reddish tinge.

A leak in the trunk lid is also a catalyst for rust. Lift up the carpet in the trunk and see what’s underneath. It’s a good idea to check under all carpeting in the car at least once a year just to make sure no rust spots have got a foothold.

If the carpet is damp, dry it out and have the leak repaired.

Avoid Winter Road Salt

Although there is no sure way to protect your car from being exposed to salt and ice during winter driving, you can minimize potential rust damage by not driving after a heavy snowfall or hard freeze. Because driving conditions are the most perilous after fresh snow or freeze, roads often boast a fresh coating of rock salt.

Even if you only need to make a quick trip to the grocery store, waiting a few hours after a snowstorm hit reduces the amount of salt exposure your vehicle will sustain.

Rubber Floor Mats – A Rust Prevention Investment

As eager as you may be to get out of the cold weather and into your nice, warm car, taking a few moments to scrape excess snow from your shoes helps prevent your vehicle’s undercarriage from rusting – even if you haven’t been walking in the slushy salt and ice mixture that peppers many sidewalks and city streets during winter.

The excess snow on your shoes quickly melts in your warm car. A damp floorboard dries, but water that collects beneath the floorboard serves as a catalyst for oxidation. Heavy rubber floor mats catch the excess snow on your shoes and prevent it from reaching the floorboard of your car – making rubber floor mats a wise investment for drivers concerned about rust.

Melted Ice and Salt Pose a Rust Hazard

Garages are intended to protect cars from the elements, but when it comes to rust, your garage may be your worst enemy.

The combination of salt and water coming into contact with exposed metal causes rust damage. Unless you plan on taking the time to meticulously dry off your car after every outing, leaving it outside is more beneficial than parking it in a warm garage.

Provided the temperature outdoors remains low, the salted slush your car picked up from the road won’t melt. The ideal situation is for your car to remain slush-free and dry. When that isn’t a possibility, however, frozen road salt poses less of a rust hazard than melted slush.

Rustproofing is an Option

Vehicles can also be rustproofed to prevent rust from gaining a foothold in their vulnerable areas. This is often done by the dealership when the vehicle is new, although rustproofing can be carried out on vehicles of any age.

Cars and trucks, even if they have received a factory or dealer applied rustproofing treatment, can begin to show important signs of rust after only 5 years.

It’s always easier, cheaper, and safer in the long run to prevent rust than it is to repair the damage it causes.