Ways to Prevent Rust on Your Vehicle

Rust is a serious auto body problem that you should never ignore. A simple rust patch, if ignored, can spread to a larger area within no time, turning your vehicle unattractive and unsafe. Bigger rust patches are also expensive to repair, plus you may need to buy new body parts to return your vehicle to its original look. 

Luckily, you can use simple rust prevention tips to keep your car rust-free and avoid rust's adverse effects on your vehicle. Below are some of these tips.

Wash Your Car More Often

If you only wash your car when it looks dirty, you might invite rust on its surface, thanks to the elements you cannot see with your naked eyes.

For example, if you live in a coastal area, the air around has a high salt concentration that you cannot see. Since you drive your car outdoors, this salt will accumulate on the surface and slowly eat away the paint. However, if you wash your car regularly, the water and soap will eliminate the salt before it causes any damage. Ensure that you have cleaned all exterior surfaces, including the undercarriage and wheel arches.

Rust Proof Your Car 

If you don't plan to dispose of your car soon and you live in a rust-prone area, you should consider rust proofing to protect your investment. Choose your preferred rustproofing method from various options, including dripless oils spray, electronic module, drip oil spray, and undercoating.

Apart from the electronic module, which uses electronic current to prevent the car's body from reacting with oxygen, the other rustproofing methods prevent rusting by forming a coat that acts as a shield against salt, moisture, and other elements.

Park Your Car Indoors or Use a Car Cover

Though you cannot fully avoid your car's exposure to elements such as moisture, snow, and rain, you can minimize the duration by parking your vehicle indoors or under a cover. However, you should make sure that your car is dry before driving it into the garage. A wet car in the garage is often worse than a wet car parked outdoors, as the moisture cannot escape once you close the door.

Inspect Your Car Frequently

Despite using all the available rust prevention methods, small rust patches can still form on your car's body or undercarriage. So, regularly inspect the vehicle for rust. Frequent inspections will help you identify rust problems before they become big issues. Common rust spots include the exhaust, the area underneath the door, the wheel well, and any exposed metal surface.

Keep an Eye on the Paint

Your car's paint plays a crucial role in protecting the body from harsh elements. Without the paint, your car's metallic body will react with moisture, and rust will start to form. Therefore, ensure that the paint is in good shape all around the vehicle. If the car has peeling paint or scratches, repair them immediately to avoid expensive rust repairs in the future.

Keep the Interior Dry

Rust can also form on the inside of your car if you don't control moisture. For example, if your drink spills on the vehicle's interior surface, it can seep through the carpet and eventually reach the metal beneath. So, to avoid such instances, wipe all spills dry using a towel. Also, wait for your car to air dry after a thorough interior wash.

The best solution to the rust problem is prevention using the tips above. And if you need other car services, Coats Auto Body & Paint offers various bodywork and paint services with a lifetime warranty. Call us today and get a free estimate!