If u live where road salt is used, do u rustproof your cars?

Question

What do u think of car rustproofing?

Answer 1

I'm generally not an advocate of rust-proofing. There are drain holes all over the bottom of the car to allow accumulated water in frame members and body parts to seep out. Often the rust-proofing seals these up allowing water (and salt) to accumulate in crevices, and actually accelerates rust in some areas.



After driving around on salted roads you should periodically do a thorough job of spraying the underside of your car with fresh water, and that will take care of most of the problem. Do not rely on car washes, as they recirculate their water, along with a good bit of the salt that has washed off of the other cars they have cleaned.

Answer 2

I think rust proofing is pretty popular in Canada. It may come down to what kind of salt they use on the roads. Some places in the US are trying alternatives to regular salt that won't destroy cars. I've never rust proofed a car in CT and have never had an issue. My cars have been Nissans that tend to rust regardless but still by the time it's an issue the car will be long gone. I think if you use good car care practices like waxing it before the winter and washing the car off regularly in the winter months you should be ok without it.

Answer 3

I have lived in areas where snow removal includes lots of salt. You can almost hear the rust forming under your car, so I try to keep salt washed off and I use under carriage rubberized rust-proofing paint. I had a Dodge van for thirty years, but there was a couple of spots that I had missed with rust proofing, and they rusted through the floor. I now touch up the undersides of all my vehicles, trailers too, in the summer so they will be ready for winter.

Answer 4

i live in PA and they put salt on the roads ! what i usually do is in the warm weather i spray under my car, let it dry and paint it ! i get about 2 quarts of good brush paint and a good paint brush, put on some old clothes and brush paint up under the car like the floor boards and the frame ! the places i can,t reach with a brush i use spray cans ! that,s a whole lot cheaper then having it rustproof at the garage !

Answer 5

Two trains of thought here:

#1. Brand new types of undercoating are fine on a brand new car. Inspect it yourself to make sure EVERYTHING except the exhaust system is covered well.



#2. Undercoating an obviously rusty under carriage isn't such a great idea as the rust does not bond well to rust and corrosion. Road salt can sneak under the undercoating as it chips away making the car rust faster.