Rustproofing
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 782
Likes: 45
From: Toronto Ontario
Rustproofing
Have any of you guys had any sort of rustproofing applied to your cars? If so, what was it and how was it applied? For those of you who drive their cars year round in snow/salt, what kind of corrosion are you seeing on the framework and aluminum components. I would be very interested in any input you guys might have. Thank you! 
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 87,302
Likes: 1,583
From: Western NY
I don't drive my 'Vette in the winter, however I used to rustproof cars for some extra $$. On the frame and suspension parts, or anything else that's metal, I would use a product called "LPS 3". Spray it on liberally. Most everything else should be OK, as it's something other than metal, so it shouldn't rust.
Pro
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 743
Likes: 1
From: Bartlett IL
Last winter when I drove my car in the winter I sprayed everything I could with silicone tire shine. The foaming black magic in the spray can. I sprayed the frame, subframes, engine block, ect. and absoloutly no corrosion or rust in the seams. Then in the spring just spray it down with some degreeser and pressure wash it. I drove it 1 snowy day this winter without spraying it down and now my aluminum has all these white spots whare its starting to corrode. So with my unscientific tests it worked and it was cheap and easy. 
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 1,240
Likes: 2
From: Cedar Rapids Iowa
I have read that rust-proofing can be worse than nothing. The problem is that once you spray that stuff on, if any salt or water gets under that coating then there is no way to wash it out. The entry point can be a tiny pin hole that you cannot even see. Thus your frame could be rusting away under that layer of rust-proofing and you can't even see it. If it was such a good idea, I would think that the factory would put it on there to start with.
The same process happens with painted steel. The paint is the "rust-proofing". Water or salt enters through a pin hole and proceeds to rust away the sheet metal under the paint and you will not even see it for a long time. I am sure you have seen cars with big globs of rust under the paint. That is why I go over my steel bodied cars with touch up paint prior to each winter.
The proper way that some factories provide rust resistance is to galvanize the steel (zinc plating).
The same process happens with painted steel. The paint is the "rust-proofing". Water or salt enters through a pin hole and proceeds to rust away the sheet metal under the paint and you will not even see it for a long time. I am sure you have seen cars with big globs of rust under the paint. That is why I go over my steel bodied cars with touch up paint prior to each winter.
The proper way that some factories provide rust resistance is to galvanize the steel (zinc plating).
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Instructor
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 133
Likes: 0
From: OKC OK
Why not just do a fresh water wash-down of the critical areas once a week? I would think that anywhere you could gain access with a can of aerosol rest-proofer, you could get with a high pressure, water wand in spades. Obviously you'd have to be a little more careful in the engine bay and use the low pressure "spotless rinse" setting. Just my $.02
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 782
Likes: 45
From: Toronto Ontario
What I ended up settling on was this stuff made by Rust Check. It's like an oil which seeps into all the seams and nooks, and then kinda turns into a gel. It's supposed to draw moisture away from the steel without dripping off. It has to be be touched up once a year though. It's a bit messy, but it does give the impression that it'll keep her rust free. Here's a pic.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 1,240
Likes: 2
From: Cedar Rapids Iowa
Originally Posted by John Shiels
Factory does do it now with some waxy slime on the trucks
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 1,240
Likes: 2
From: Cedar Rapids Iowa
Originally Posted by konish
Why not just do a fresh water wash-down of the critical areas once a week? I would think that anywhere you could gain access with a can of aerosol rest-proofer, you could get with a high pressure, water wand in spades. Obviously you'd have to be a little more careful in the engine bay and use the low pressure "spotless rinse" setting. Just my $.02
Racer
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 298
Likes: 12
I found some rusting
Originally Posted by Its_Go_Time
Have any of you guys had any sort of rustproofing applied to your cars? If so, what was it and how was it applied? For those of you who drive their cars year round in snow/salt, what kind of corrosion are you seeing on the framework and aluminum components. I would be very interested in any input you guys might have. Thank you!
Fortunately I now have a garage and put the car away in the winter. Good luck.
Pro
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 666
Likes: 5
From: Mt. Pleasant SC
Don't waste your money. Rustproofing is one of the biggest scams of the 20th century. If you want to drive your car in that white mess with all that corrosive crap they put down then the best thing you can do is high-pressure rinse your car often.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 87,302
Likes: 1,583
From: Western NY
Originally Posted by c3andc5
Don't waste your money. Rustproofing is one of the biggest scams of the 20th century. If you want to drive your car in that white mess with all that corrosive crap they put down then the best thing you can do is high-pressure rinse your car often.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 50,808
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From: Buy USA products! Check the label! Employ Americans
I spray inner panel coating by 3M in my vehicles and it stays soft. I spray it in hidden areas and it has worked well. There are many good products I am sure but application is the key. POR15 is good to paint over rust and seal it for good. I HATE RUST! When I got my Dodge dooley and went under it and paited the coil springs and drive shaft and other items after 4 years it is still like new.
Pro
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 706
Likes: 1
From: Western Canada
Originally Posted by John Shiels
I spray inner panel coating by 3M in my vehicles and it stays soft. I spray it in hidden areas and it has worked well. There are many good products I am sure but application is the key. POR15 is good to paint over rust and seal it for good. I HATE RUST! When I got my Dodge dooley and went under it and paited the coil springs and drive shaft and other items after 4 years it is still like new.
