Car Question: Rust Proof?

[BruinEd03]

I own a 2001 Honda Civic EX, which I bought from a dealership in Northern California...my question is do I need to get it rust proofed if I go to a law school in the midwest/east coast? Or what do I need to prep the car for it?

-Ed

 

[rudeguy]

been living in michigan with the snow and salt all my life...just make sure to keep it good and washed (including underbody) and you should be ok...for a few years..if you are hoping to keep it mint...store it in the winter

 

[NogginBoink]

Originally posted by: BruinEd03
I own a 2001 Honda Civic EX, which I bought from a dealership in Northern California...my question is do I need to get it rust proofed if I go to a law school in the midwest/east coast? Or what do I need to prep the car for it?

-Ed

No.

The "rust proofing" is almost 100% profit for the dealer.

The manufacturer has rustproofed the car.

 

No.

The "rust proofing" is almost 100% profit for the dealer.

The manufacturer has rustproofed the car.

Really, I have worked for almost all the major automakers at one time or another and not one of them rustproofs the vehicles at the factory, yes some manufactures galvanize their vehicles but this is not rustproofing.



Here's what you do BruinEd03 ;

Have the car's underside thoroughly pressure washed, let it dry for at least two days in warm to hot weather, purchase rubberized undercoating, apply the undercoating to all the underside surfaces, especially around the wheel wells and fender lips, these areas are the first to rust on salt encrusted roads.

 

[notfred]

Stay in norcal, the midwest sucks. It's flat and cold. And makes your car rust.

 

[woodie1]

To repeat what has been said:

Your car already has rustproofing from the factory.

Pay particular attention the the underside when washing it.

 

[NogginBoink]

Originally posted by: Roger

No.

The "rust proofing" is almost 100% profit for the dealer.

The manufacturer has rustproofed the car.

Really, I have worked for almost all the major automakers at one time or another and not one of them rustproofs the vehicles at the factory, yes some manufactures galvanize their vehicles but this is not rustproofing.



Here's what you do BruinEd03 ;

Have the car's underside thoroughly pressure washed, let it dry for at least two days in warm to hot weather, purchase rubberized undercoating, apply the undercoating to all the underside surfaces, especially around the wheel wells and fender lips, these areas are the first to rust on salt encrusted roads.

Okay, I'll defer to you on this one then. I was just paraphrasing what I read on cartalk.cars.com.

 

To repeat what has been said:

Your car already has rustproofing from the factory.

Pay particular attention the the underside when washing it.

What part of my statement don't you understand ?

Okay, I'll defer to you on this one then. I was just paraphrasing what I read on cartalk.cars.com.

Many people think this, but it is false, they think that galvanizing is rustproofing, it is not, galvanic corrosion is what occurs, the galvanizing sacrifices itself instead of the metal on the car, once this very thin galvanize is gone, your vehicle starts oxidizing.
The only true way of preventing Oxidation (Rusting) is by preventing moisture and Oxygen from reaching the steel, this is accomplished by a good rubberized undercoating, but it ia absolutely imperative that the surfaces are moisture free before applying or you will trap moisture between the undercoating and sheetmetal, this will accelerate the process.

Edit ;

This galvanic layer is applied on the metal, primer is applied and then the vehicle painted, stone chips inevitably occur allowing moisture and salts to start the oxidizing process, applying undercoating prevents these stone chips as well.

 

[BruinEd03]

Originally posted by: Roger

To repeat what has been said:

Your car already has rustproofing from the factory.

Pay particular attention the the underside when washing it.

What part of my statement don't you understand ?

Okay, I'll defer to you on this one then. I was just paraphrasing what I read on cartalk.cars.com.

Many people think this, but it is false, they think that galvanizing is rustproofing, it is not, galvanic corrosion is what occurs, the galvanizing sacrifices itself instead of the metal on the car, once this very thin galvanize is gone, your vehicle starts oxidizing.
The only true way of preventing Oxidation (Rusting) is by preventing moisture and Oxygen from reaching the steel, this is accomplished by a good rubberized undercoating, but it ia absolutely imperative that the surfaces are moisture free before applying or you will trap moisture between the undercoating and sheetmetal, this will accelerate the process.

Edit ;

This galvanic layer is applied on the metal, primer is applied and then the vehicle painted, stone chips inevitably occur allowing moisture and salts to start the oxidizing process, applying undercoating prevents these stone chips as well.

uhh...so is there a shop that i can just take the car to get this done? Also how much will it cost?
Thanks for all your help!

-Ed

 

[BruinEd03]

can anyone give more help?

-Ed

 

[Lvis]

I live in Maine, and we know a bit about salt covered roads... Rust doesn't seem to be an issue with Hondas, or most any make, anymore. (possible exception for Subaru's, who've claimed for years the rust problem with them has been solved. )

If I did anything, it would be to do what Roger suggested. Years ago I had my new Toyota rustproofed, they did more harm than good. Plus the rust proofing warranties require you to bring the car in every year for a "check up", for an additional fee. Don't do the yearly check up, no more warranty....

Unless you want to break a record for the oldest Honda still on the road in 2050, I would just be sure to wash it after every storm.

 

[Viperoni]

Never had any underbody rust on a regularly undercoated 1986 Pontiac Parisienne (American car :Q ) with over 210k on it.
Just listen to Roger

 

[BruinEd03]

do u guys know of any shops that will do the rubberized undercoating? I dont trust myself to do it =/ Do just any mechanic do it? cuz the honda dealership in Santa Monica doesn't offer that service.

-Ed

 

[NutBucket]

Originally posted by: BruinEd03
do u guys know of any shops that will do the rubberized undercoating? I dont trust myself to do it =/ Do just any mechanic do it? cuz the honda dealership in Santa Monica doesn't offer that service.

-Ed

You're aware that for a while Honda of Santa Monica was shut down by American Honda for deceptive business practices right?

 

[BruinEd03]

Originally posted by: NutBucket

Originally posted by: BruinEd03
do u guys know of any shops that will do the rubberized undercoating? I dont trust myself to do it =/ Do just any mechanic do it? cuz the honda dealership in Santa Monica doesn't offer that service.

-Ed

You're aware that for a while Honda of Santa Monica was shut down by American Honda for deceptive business practices right?

uh...no i wasn't aware of this :Q Ever since i've brought my car down here in LA...i've always used them. hmmmm.......

-Ed

 

I do believe Ziebart has shops across the country.

 

[rh71]

Related question: IF you did get suckered into buying a warranty on the rust proofing by the dealer... (1995)... are they supposed to be lifetime? Just got a new flexpipe in because apparently the old one was rusted-through. Do these replacement parts come rust-proofed too (I doubt it)? I haven't been able to reach the person I'm supposed to speak with yet...

I won't feel "suckered" into buying the rustproofing guarantee if they do it for me for free again... 8 years later.

 

Related question: IF you did get suckered into buying a warranty on the rust proofing by the dealer... (1995)... are they supposed to be lifetime? Just got a new flexpipe in... and I haven't been able to reach the person I'm supposed to speak with yet...

Flexpipes or any other part that is not related to the body is not rustproofed, warranty coverage varies by vehicle manufacturer and dealer, check your warranty card.

 

[iamwiz82]

i can think of at least one american supplier than does not rustproof at all, and it makes very big metal pieces. Their version of rust proofing is dipping it in oil before it leaves the factory so it wont rust on the way to the OEM :Q

 

[B00ne]

what is rust proofing?

Afaik u can protect things from rusting but nothing is rustproof not even stainless steel (although it wont rust under normal conditions)

 

[B00ne]

Originally posted by: Roger

To repeat what has been said:

Your car already has rustproofing from the factory.

Pay particular attention the the underside when washing it.

What part of my statement don't you understand ?

Okay, I'll defer to you on this one then. I was just paraphrasing what I read on cartalk.cars.com.

Many people think this, but it is false, they think that galvanizing is rustproofing, it is not, galvanic corrosion is what occurs, the galvanizing sacrifices itself instead of the metal on the car, once this very thin galvanize is gone, your vehicle starts oxidizing.
The only true way of preventing Oxidation (Rusting) is by preventing moisture and Oxygen from reaching the steel, this is accomplished by a good rubberized undercoating, but it ia absolutely imperative that the surfaces are moisture free before applying or you will trap moisture between the undercoating and sheetmetal, this will accelerate the process.

Edit ;

This galvanic layer is applied on the metal, primer is applied and then the vehicle painted, stone chips inevitably occur allowing moisture and salts to start the oxidizing process, applying undercoating prevents these stone chips as well.

I dont exactly know what u mean with rubberizing but VAG definatly hot dips the whole car body in Zinc (which will protect the car for years to come [as the zinc wont be out in the open unless the paint is damaged) and all cars some sticky/rubber/wax/bitumen like coating underneath and some wax in the hollow parts

 

[iamwiz82]

Originally posted by: B00ne

Originally posted by: Roger

To repeat what has been said:

Your car already has rustproofing from the factory.

Pay particular attention the the underside when washing it.

What part of my statement don't you understand ?

Okay, I'll defer to you on this one then. I was just paraphrasing what I read on cartalk.cars.com.

Many people think this, but it is false, they think that galvanizing is rustproofing, it is not, galvanic corrosion is what occurs, the galvanizing sacrifices itself instead of the metal on the car, once this very thin galvanize is gone, your vehicle starts oxidizing.
The only true way of preventing Oxidation (Rusting) is by preventing moisture and Oxygen from reaching the steel, this is accomplished by a good rubberized undercoating, but it ia absolutely imperative that the surfaces are moisture free before applying or you will trap moisture between the undercoating and sheetmetal, this will accelerate the process.

Edit ;

This galvanic layer is applied on the metal, primer is applied and then the vehicle painted, stone chips inevitably occur allowing moisture and salts to start the oxidizing process, applying undercoating prevents these stone chips as well.

I dont exactly know what u mean with rubberizing but VAG definatly hot dips the whole car body in Zinc (which will protect the car for years to come [as the zinc wont be out in the open unless the paint is damaged) and all cars some sticky/rubber/wax/bitumen like coating underneath and some wax in the hollow parts

the plastic coating is normally considered rustproofing.

 

[C'DaleRider]

In the last few years, "corrosion" warranties have become the norm. Surface rust isn't covered, but if a body panel rusts through, it's repaired or replaced free. That sounds generous, but in these days of factory-applied rustproofing and galvanized-steel body panels, the automakers aren't really taking much of a risk. Rust-through coverage usually lasts for five to ten years and for 100,000 or more miles.

If the auto makers weren't rustproofing their cars, why would they include 100K mile warranties against it?

But, in rust-prone areas, you can help keep rust at bay and protect the body of your car by regularly rinsing it early in the spring with a hose that has a pressure nozzle.

Wash the underside of the car, and spray inside the fenders, around the trunk lid, and between fender wells and door jambs. Don't forget to wash inside the bumper frame. Then clean moldings using water and a mild dish detergent. Treat any nicks or scratches with the manufacturer's touch-up paint; even petroleum jelly applied to a scratch will protect it from rust until you can buy the right paint. And since parking a salt-strewn car in a warm garage can hasten rust, make sure that next winter you wash your car regularly.

Lots cheaper than aftermarket "Rustproofing".

 

[radioouman]

Just buy a Saturn and never crawl under it! Just kidding.

I've owned a couple cars that were old enough to have some rust problems. If you don't have any rust problems to start with, a good coating of rubberized undercoat will head off a lot of problems in the future. However, that stuff is nasty, so don't spray it where you don't want it. (For example, don't spray it on your parking brake cable!!!!)

Under the cars, you need to hit the area of the floorpan behind the front tires. That area gets a beating from gravel and salt in the roads. Give it a nice thick coating there. You may also cover the floor pans to about the middle of the car. That is a good preventative measure.

Clean the inside of your wheel wells with a brush, let dry, and then coat the exposed metal in your wheel wells with undercoat. There is no need to coat plastic or any of the suspension.

You might want to coat the trunk floor pans behind the rear wheels, and the spare tire wheel in the trunk floor. If you have a rubber plug in the trunk floor that allows for water to drain, don't coat the plug.

You may also have trouble around the lower edges of your doors, your door jambs, and the rocker panels below the doors. One big problem with metal bodied cars is the place where the body sheet metal is rolled down at the bottom of the rocker panels. Depending on where your wheels are compared to that seam, it may take a beating. That seam tends to get covered in rust very quickly, and is hard to repair with the sanding, priming, painting method.

Basically, just use common sense and look where your wheels will fling stuff under your car. Clean and coat those areas, and you'll be fine.

 

[Thump553]

Don't bother with aftermarket rustproofing at all, unless you want to go through the frustration (and tie-in expenses they will put you through) for the annual inspections, and hope that your rustproofing company doesn't go out of business-many of them did.

I've lived in New England or Wisconsin all my adult life. Rustproofing was big in the 70s & 80s at the auto dealers (VERY high profit margin) but I never see it anymore. The factory undercoatings have gotten better, and more importantly far less salt is used on the roads these days.

Aftermarket undercoating has a good chance of plugging the drainholes in your car, which will actually promote rusting. Stay away from it is the best advice.