undercoating/rust proofing

[amykathleen]

is the rust proofing each year necessary? just had it done for $60, but bf thinks they missed some spots.

also, we have a '95 lemon-mobile in our driveway with no insurance so we cant take it to the shop for rust proofing. what product should we buy to do the rust proofing ourselves, and how difficult is this?

~Amy

[stuts]

Check out this article basically it is saying it’s a thing of the past

http://www.canadiandriver.com/articles/tw/rustycars.htm

but I figure I will get mine done this year and maybe every couple years after

[spnx1]

Use of an oil, rather than wax-based spray, applied yearly, will help keep the corrosion away. Since moisture causes rust, you want to displace the moisture.

My favourite oil spray rustproofer is Krown (recommended by the Automobile Protection Association).

As a bonus, the oil spray makes the car easier to work on. Working on other people's unrustproofed cars, I've snapped lots of bolts off, since they're so rusty. I've never had any problems working on my car, and I've removed the suspension, gas tank, brakes, swapped in a new engine, and replaced the transmission.

This is my 1992 Nissan, which has been rustproofed every year since new. If you're paranoid like me, and don't want to risk getting rust (like the way my old Celica rusted out), it's a cheap alternative to bodywork. I started rustproofing my Echo as soon as I got it.

James

[spnx1]

P.S. An important distinction between rustproofing and undercoating. The terms aren't interchangeable. Rustproofing is a rust inhibiting spray. Undercoating is a tar-based rock and sound barrier that has no rust inhibiting qualities. If it cracks, it will let moisture in and actually accelerate the oxidation process.

P.P.S. I wouldn't do it yourself. It's a messy, dirty job and it's hard to get good interior panel coverage. Phone your ins agent and get insurance put on the car for the drive to a shop and back.

[stuts]

I agree