Should You Rust Proof Your Fresh Car?
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After the purchase of any fresh car, an chance to rust-proof arises. Should you do it, or is it just a waste of money? Very first, it’s significant to know what rust is. Rust is an example of corrosion. When metal (which is in steel) and oxygen mix with air or water, rust occurs. Eventually, rust can take over any metal mass and cause it to disintegrate. Corrosion can also occur when mud or moisture accumulate on a car’s underbody.
Rust is a serious problem and spreads like a rash. It can shorten the lifespan and value of any vehicle.
Since rust is a possibility in just about every car, automakers these days are galvanizing steel used in cars in order to lower the risk of rusting.
GALVANIZED STEEL PROTECTED FROM RUSTING
Galvanized steel has a decorating of zinc to protect it from rusting. Oxygen and zinc don’t react like metal and oxygen do, so galvanized steel doesn’t rust. This process is also pretty low-cost; so many automakers are doing it.
“Rust is far less of a concern now,” says Mike Quincy, Automotive Analyst at Consumer Reports. “The types of metals and treatments have switched over the past twenty years and cars are well protected from rust right from the factory.” Consumer Reports’ reliability data tracks a ten year history of a vehicle, reporting on issues consumers have with their fresh cars after twelve months of ownership. Quincy says they actually liquidated questions about rust from the survey several years ago because the results were demonstrating it wasn’t a factor any more.
But that doesn’t mean fresh cars are invincible. If a car has been in an accident, and unprotected steel was exposed, there’s still a chance of rust occurring.
So if that zinc glazing gets chipped, the metal underneath is at risk of rusting. Same thing on a car’s paint finish, if a rock-chip cuts deep enough into a car’s paint job, it can still rust. This rust occurs on the outside of the car, and while it’s ugly, it’s not a catastrophic problem. Fortunately, car frames are also galvanized and well protected from chipping as well.
For extra peace of mind, Quincy explains that there are some tips that every driver should consider keeping their car as rust free as possible. Wash a car regularly, especially in the winter after you’ve been driving on salted roads. Driving over this salt could dump it deep into your car’s underbody. The effortless thing to do is to wash underneath your car with a pressure washer or automated car wash.
WHAT ARE AUTOMAKERS DOING ABOUT RUST?
Some automakers are looking into more advanced methods of rust proofing their vehicles.
“We’re clearly at the leading edge of rust treatment,” says Derek Joyce from Hyundai communications.
Hyundai uses a roto-dip process, which dips the chassis of the car into the galvanization treatment and rotates it to ensure utter coverage of the zinc decorating, and ensuring no part of the vehicle goes uncoated. “There’s no way any part of the surface isn’t covered,” ensures Joyce.
Along with galvanized steel, more exotic materials are being used in cars for weight or cost savings. Plastic, aluminum, fiberglass and carbon fiber car parts are all less likely to rust than steel, albeit they aren’t used in mainstream vehicles.
“Aluminum isn’t prone to rust since it’s an oxidation of metal,” says Brad Stertz from Audi. The Audi A8 was the very first car on the market with an aluminium chassis, and other automakers, like Mercedes-Benz and Jaguar are also adopting this strategy. While aluminium construction is mainly for saving weight, the added benefit of long-term reliability is also a good selling point. The same can be said about Carbon Fiber.
DEFENDS AGAINST MORE THAN JUST RUST
The people at Krown Rust Control understand that fresh cars are well protected, but also believe that fresh chemicals on the road are more corrosive.
“The chemicals used on our roads are far more corrosive than those used in the past,” says Freeman Youthful, president of Krown Rust Control. “Add to this the high humidity and the phat variations in temperature and you have a recipe for rust,” he says.
Youthfull points out that rust proofing also protects other significant parts of a vehicle.
“Although protecting assets panels and vehicle frames against rust is significant, the best rust inhibiting products also protect electrical areas such as battery terminals, wiring harnesses, switches and corks from moisture,” he says. “Keeping these areas protected with the right type of product will greatly reduce repair costs and vehicle breakdowns. Lubrication of moving mechanical parts like brake cables, suspension components, and door hinges is another benefit of a good rust inhibitor/lubricant.”
THE VERDICT
Overall rust is far less present now than it was twenty years ago, leading outlets like Consumer Reports to downplay the need for rust proofing.
So should you buy a rustproofing package when buying a fresh car? “We don’t recommend rust proofing,” says Quincy. “It’s very likely a waste of money and almost all of the cost goes right into the pockets of the dealer.” Even third party rust-proofing is considered a bust, “after-market rust proofing is a waste of money regardless of who’s applying it,” says Quincy. “Factory rust proofing is all you need.”