When to Get Vehicle Anti-Rust Protection ?

Rust is an oxidation process that attacks metals and ruins the appearance of our vehicles.  Unfortunately, no vehicle can escape this natural phenomenon, especially in winter when you factor in road salt, high humidity, along with rain, sleet and snow. So anti-rust treatments are an obvious solution to avoid having your vehicle lose value and become susceptible to corrosion.

Rust Formation

When compounds made up of iron or steel are exposed to water and oxygen, a reddish-brown color forms naturally. This is called oxidation. The result of this oxidation process is called rust.

Failing to provide your vehicle an anti-rust treatment allows this corrosion to spread very quickly, to the detriment of your vehicle’s appearance. Small corrosion spots first appear in several areas such as door bottoms or the vehicle’s underbody. Over time rust eats its way to the metal’s base layer and causes perforations in several places. This degradation can dangerously weaken a vehicle frame and significantly jeopardize driver and passenger safety.

Is my Vehicle Protected in my Heated Garage?

Popular belief will have it that vehicles parked in a heated garage can go without rust-proofing. This theory is false if your vehicle is doing without any protection whatsoever.  Vehicles parked in a heated garage in winter are actually more at risk of rusting than those left outdoors. The reason is simple: a non rust-proofed vehicle cannot defend against the heat and humidity in the garage that activates the chemical reaction initiated by the exposure of steel to calcium. So rust appears and develops sooner and more readily. The anti-rust treatment creates a barrier against winter road maintenance abrasives. As a result humidity and heat in your garage will not alter the structural integrity of your vehicle frame.

Different Types of Treatment

Whether oil-based or grease-based, an anti-rust treatment extends your vehicle’s life expectancy, even if rust has already started to form. Getting rust-proofing protection rapidly is the best way to avoid the further spreading of corrosion. Of course, it is simpler to prevent corrosion to form in the first place than to stop its propagation. This is why rust-proofing is essential for new vehicles.

The application of an oil-based rust-proofing treatment takes approximately an hour and will cost between $ 100 and $150.  The effectiveness of the pressurized delivery system of rust inhibitive formulas allows coating a maximum number of parts and offers a highly effective vehicle corrosion protection. The drawback is that oil-based products give off a strong odor that can persist for a long time after the treatment.

The application of a grease-based treatment is a somewhat more demanding procedure and may take between 4 or 5 hours to complete. However this treatment is more rust-resistant and will require only a few minor touch-ups at 3-year intervals. Obviously the treatment is more expensive because the application takes longer. Generally a full treatment costs between $ 400 and $ 700, to which is added $100 for touch-ups.

Regardless of the vehicle rust protection you choose, it is important to call upon a professional to make sure the treatment is properly applied and that all rust-prone high risk areas are fully protected. Professionals will ensure that the inside of vehicle doors and the door bottoms, the panels, the trunk, the hood, the interior floor, as well as the vehicle’s underbody are thoroughly coated.

When to have the Treatment Done?

A favorable environment is required to maximize the effectiveness of a treatment. 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. This means that rust inhibitors once applied better penetrate auto parts and create a more effective protective barrier. Having rust-proofing done in the spring or summer prolongs the treatment’s effectiveness and provides your vehicle with an additional rust protection boost for the coming winter.  

The anti-rust treatment is a great protection aid for vehicle owners. By investing in a rust-proofing treatment, the owner bolsters vehicle frame strength and enhances the vehicle’s overall appearance. As an added bonus this owner drives a much safer vehicle, extends his vehicle’s life expectancy, all the while maintaining its market value.