| on your car – whether it be car, truck, van or | | | | Car makers now routinely employ galvanized metals, |
| S.U.V, is not only unsightly it can be downright | | | | like the old shiny silver color metal garbage cans, that |
| dangerous. Rust can destroy the structure and integrity | | | | were so resistant to rust. This was a major step |
| of your car frame making it dangerous. It can allow | | | | forward in rust prevention in newer cars. In addition |
| dangerous fumes to seep into your vehicle. Once | | | | auto manufacturers have done their best to reduce |
| started – rust can be most difficult and | | | | the chances of rust development and growth by |
| expensive to stop if you can stop the spread of the | | | | having as few open areas where moisture can seep |
| rust at all. What you see in terms of rust on the fender | | | | in and be trapped next to the metal on your vehicle, to |
| of your vehicle is like the part of the iceberg that hit | | | | stay and cause rust growth. Exterior trim and badges |
| the Titanic – it’s only the smallest part on | | | | are now routinely glued to the bodies of cars rather |
| the metal surface of the car. For what you can | | | | than bolted into place so that there are few holes on |
| physically see of rust on the surface – | | | | the bodies of these cars with chipped paint edges to |
| it’s only the smallest portion. | | | | allow rust to initiate. In addition the very manufacturing |
| What causes rust? Rust is the result corrosion | | | | methods of cars have been improved in an effort to |
| resulting from moisture interacting with bare exposed | | | | stop the scourges of rust. Advanced Electrostatic |
| metal of your vehicle. From then on the moisture | | | | methods of paint preparation are now commonly and |
| interacts and almost breeds with the bare metal of | | | | routinely employed where during the painting and |
| your car in a chemical reaction. It’s that | | | | priming process of the automobile manufacturing in |
| straightforward. | | | | order to both attract paint primer into more difficult to |
| What can be done to prevent the start, spread and | | | | access areas of the vehicle’s body , to |
| growth of rust on your vehicle? In most cases it | | | | completely cover and seal the car body. As well the |
| comes down to simple steps of prevention. Sure in | | | | paint and primer themselves are better bond in a more |
| some geographic areas of the country where either a | | | | solid manner to the metal allowing for more intact and |
| lot of salt is used on the roads – such as in New | | | | full coverage and protection against moisture and rust. |
| York City or Toronto Canada a lot more salt is used | | | | If there is one simple rule to follow it is to wash your |
| to keep the roads free of ice in the winter and rust is | | | | vehicle on a regular, full and complete basis. It is not |
| more of a problem. Still a lot can be done to prevent | | | | only a matter of stating that a “clean car runs |
| the initiation, start and spread of rust. | | | | better “and only a matter of cosmetics and |
| First of all to begin with, believe it or not, a lot of the | | | | appearances. By washing and drying your car |
| rust that occurs on vehicles can be the result of your | | | | thoroughly and completely you will both not allow |
| driving habits and patterns. Rust starts with damage | | | | moisture to be retained on your car but also to |
| and damages to the paintwork on your car or vehicle. | | | | remove the dirt and debris on your car, and in the |
| Open spots on the paint or bodywork allow water and | | | | recesses of your car that can hold and retain moisture |
| moisture to interact with this bare metal on your car. | | | | allowing rust to start and develop. Clean your car |
| Does not drive close behind other vehicles? This way | | | | thoroughly, especially along and inside fenders, wheel |
| rocks and pebbles that may be thrown by other | | | | wells, body trim and if possible in the undercarriage |
| vehicles may not hit and nick yours. Simply put to | | | | areas and you will be doing more than your part to |
| prevent rocks and pebbles from bouncing onto your | | | | prevent the start and growth of rust on metal areas |
| car, try driving a bit further away from the cars in front | | | | of the vehicle. |
| of you. Do not tailgate. Certainly stay as far back as | | | | Lastly if possible cover your car with a cloth cover |
| you can from open or even partially covered gravel | | | | even if stored in a garage. This way any further |
| trucks. In addition try to plan your routes to only travel | | | | dampness can be kept away from your car. This way |
| on paved roads as opposed to gravel covered roads. | | | | you can maintain your vehicle’s body and |
| If possible ditto this for open construction areas which | | | | prevent expensive repairs to both repair vehicle rust |
| may have gravel covered areas. | | | | and paint damage. |
| Newer cars are better protected than older models. | | | | |