Rustproofing a "virgin" '93

[geeniusatwrok]

Well, it's over a year later and the car is still sitting in that California garage. It's actually my mom's car and even though she stopped driving about five years ago -- she's 86 now -- she refuses to part with it and changed her mind at the last minute, so I ended up buying a Volvo 240, but I'm going to visit her soon and will have another go at convincing her to sell it to me.

My biggest concern is the rust potential. I'd hate to bring a pristine car like this to New England and watch it start rusting away. Anyone used that Ziebart service or want to recommend something?

[CJCride]

We have Krown and Rustcheck up here, their type of product goes on almost w/a Palmolive dish soap viscosity. That "oily" type consistancy is the hands down best and proven. They creep into all metal crevices where rust starts.
Do wash it really good first, underneath and in wheel wells etc. to remove road grime, then the product gets right to where the rust wants to be. Let her get bone dry about 2-3 days outside and Git er Done.

Toronto Ont. Canada we get clobbered w/lake effect snow etc. = ton$ and ton$ of salt & slush.

[projektvertx]

Ziebart is pretty good, I have a buddy who used them and they do good work. His car has never rusted through anywhere and it's a 97 that has been thru 12 harsh, Michigan winter, where they poor tons of salt on the roads instead of simply plowing. Back in my Montreal days, I would get my car rustproofed every year at Metropolitan RustProofing, a local company which sprayed a liquid with a thick oily/soapy consistency in all important places. They did this for 70$ a year, and for regulars, they gave you a discount to 55$ Now, in MI, I use a local company whos been in business for something like 20 years, I payed 250$ once. They sprayed nooks and cranny with the same oil, and sprayed the under carriage with a thick tar like compound, which can be removed that acts as a sound deadner and rustproofing. The nice thing about these guys is I can bring my car in anytime I like and have them respray anything I see fit. Make sure you ask how long they have been using the compound they spray! To attest to this stuff, my car is rust free despite 14 brutal, snowy and salty winters!

[Gothmog3VZ]

Originally Posted by projektvertx

Ziebart is pretty good, I have a buddy who used them and they do good work. His car has never rusted through anywhere and it's a 97 that has been thru 12 harsh, Michigan winter, where they poor tons of salt on the roads instead of simply plowing. Back in my Montreal days, I would get my car rustproofed every year at Metropolitan RustProofing, a local company which sprayed a liquid with a thick oily/soapy consistency in all important places. They did this for 70$ a year, and for regulars, they gave you a discount to 55$ Now, in MI, I use a local company whos been in business for something like 20 years, I payed 250$ once. They sprayed nooks and cranny with the same oil, and sprayed the under carriage with a thick tar like compound, which can be removed that acts as a sound deadner and rustproofing. The nice thing about these guys is I can bring my car in anytime I like and have them respray anything I see fit. Make sure you ask how long they have been using the compound they spray! To attest to this stuff, my car is rust free despite 14 brutal, snowy and salty winters!

Eh, Metropolitan has done pretty well so far for my dad; first year now since the car became mine

so far, I've got 2 tiny rust patches on the hood where I used to have a bug deflector, a little bubbling around the rear wheel arches (specifically, where fender meets bumper), and 3 bubbles where the windshield meets roof.
However, this guy I know at school has a gen 3.5, patches galore... but I digress

Rustproof her, and she'll last through the NE winters easy
(coming from 16 years/260 000 km of Canadian weather & Montreal roads )

[projektvertx]

Originally Posted by Gothmog3VZ

Eh, Metropolitan has done pretty well so far for my dad; first year now since the car became mine

so far, I've got 2 tiny rust patches on the hood where I used to have a bug deflector, a little bubbling around the rear wheel arches (specifically, where fender meets bumper), and 3 bubbles where the windshield meets roof.
However, this guy I know at school has a gen 3.5, patches galore... but I digress

Rustproof her, and she'll last through the NE winters easy
(coming from 16 years/260 000 km of Canadian weather & Montreal roads )

Yeah the rear wheel arches seem to be a very common location for rust to develop on these cars. I forgot to add that regular washes during the winter do help a lot. Nothing fancy, just don't let the salt sit on the car for too long. Three cars in my family have been thru the metropolitan rust proof/ regular wash regime and none have any signs of rust on them... My '95 camry, my mom '98 avy and my dad's '97 RL. But yes, rustproof her and she should survive much better

[dz63]

I had my '91 Tercel rustproofed when it was brand new and I faithfully took in in every year for its annual checkup for the first 10 years. Sold it this year with gapping big rust holes under the front doors. I don't know if this is typical, but it was very disappointing and it really turned me off of rustproofing. I am trying Krown on my newer 2008 Corolla. Also did my '96 Camry this year for the first time. I have heard and read a lot of good things about Krown. It is applied yearly at $125/pop. My local dealer recommends doing it in the spring for optimum results. Unfortunately, I won't be able to give you any first hand reports about how well it works for another 15 years or so.

[Gothmog3VZ]

I'll keep that in mind

At least she's doing better than our Explorer;
That thing has massive rust bubbles around the fuel door, at the running boards, on the doors around the edges... It's only saving grace is the AWD/V8 combination for those snowy days

[the_professional]

food for thought...
my 1992 Camry has been through 17, almost 18 NYC salt winters, and Lord knows how much salt is used in my city.

Car was never rust proofed, and I don't think it needs it, sure there is minimal rust on the underbody, but every time im under the Cam, i make sure nothing is there such as dirt for moisture to sit, and thats it. No body rust at all, and minimal underbody rust.