Is it too late to rust proof my car?
The good news is that it is never too late to get your vehicle rust-proofed. All you have to do is to be proactive.
Here are some myths about rustproofing you should know the truth about. Vehicles must be rustproofed before rust appears : This is false – you can rustproof your car even if rust appears; in fact, the service will help slow down the progress of rust. Rust is repairable if caught in time.
The best time to have vehicle rust protection applied is definitely spring and summer. These are two periods of the year with a drier environment and when the roads are not maintained with tons of abrasives and are not constantly wet and covered with deicing salt.
If you'd like to own your vehicle for a long time — or if you plan on selling it soon — rustproofing your car will make it last for years and give it more curb appeal. That'll increase its resale value if you ever decide to sell your car. And a vehicle without rust just looks better!
When Should I Rust Proof My Car? Now that you know why rust occurs and how you stop it, you now can know that you should implement rust proofing in your vehicle once a year. Ideally, it's best to do this at the start of the winter months, so you can safeguard it against the most turbulent time of the year.
Broadly speaking, you shouldn't worry about the surface rust that develops on underbody components, such as parts of the suspension and exhaust systems. This is a relatively minor problem that can be easily remedied with a wire brush or sandpaper; it doesn't affect the car's structure.
To provide maximum protection for your vehicle, rust proofing must be performed once every year. Also, the quality of the application is just as important as the product itself. Every area that needs protection must be treated using the best tools and techniques.
It's always advisable to wash your vehicle's undercarriage before bringing it for rustproofing. It's best to avoid thick or waxy cleaning products when you do this as well because these can promote air pockets on the surface of the undercarriage and these are volatile rust zones.
How long does undercoating for cars last? If you live in a cold, snowy climate, near the ocean, or in other rust-prone areas, undercoating should be reapplied each year. Since road salt and de-icing treatments can make corrosion worse, it's best to undercoat your vehicle just before winter weather begins.
Once applied, rust proofing will last a year under normal conditions. It also doesn't matter when it's applied – it can be installed any time of year.
Can you put undercoating over rust?
Covering rust with hard paint or rubberized wax undercoating will only trap moisture below the surface and allow oxidation to continue.
First, you'll need to use fine-grit sandpaper or a razor blade to remove the rust from the car. Next, you should treat the area with a spray-on rust inhibitor and apply primer. Lastly, you should cover up the affected area with touch-up paint (ideally that perfectly matches the color of your car).
Pressure-Wash the Underbody
Even if you've treated your car's undercarriage, regular pressure-washing is still important. It will make sure salt and mud don't build up in the nooks and crannies and eventually allow rust to form.
