Some thoughts on rust protection
Rust protection is a topic that generates much discussion among auto industry professionals and consumers. Today, I want to share some thoughts on rust protection, without endorsing any products or any rust-protection provider.
Consumers who are in the market for an automobile should ask themselves some basic questions: Is the manufacturer’s rust protection adequate for their driving needs? What if a vehicle is kept for more than six or seven years? What kind of rust protection is the best?
The quality of today’s automobiles is extremely high, and manufacturers offer a corrosion warranty that specifies a time period for perforation coverage. Perforation warranty is generally covered for five to 12 years, depending on the brand, and it guarantees that body panels won’t corrode within a specified period.
In recent decades, manufacturers and steel makers have introduced better rust-resistant metals in new cars. But the unibody construction in today’s automobiles contains more welds and seams, and it’s at the seams/welds where rust is most likely to develop.
Typically, rust protection consists of a special coating that is applied to the inside of the body panels of a vehicle. This coating forms a bond with the metal, which displaces moisture and slows down corrosion. Traditional rust protection methods include tar-based spray, dripless oil spray and drip oil spray.
In recent years, a new technology has been introduced called electronic modules, where currents are sent to the metal via a small device placed inside your car. Some dealerships offer electronic modules, which are easier to install than the traditional spray-on products. Opinions vary as to the efficacy of this new method.
If you decide to invest in rust protection, it should be applied for maximum rust protection when the vehicle is brand new.
Most warranties require inspections every 12 or 24 months, so that rust can be detected and treated early. Failure to perform these inspections could void your warranty coverage.
If you have had collision repairs on your vehicle, to keep your warranty intact, it’s critical to have the repaired areas resprayed by the original company that sold you the rust protection in order to validate your warranty. The cost of this respray should be covered as part of your insurance claim.
Cars owners must decide for themselves whether or not to purchase rust protection.
That usually means figuring out how many kilometres you plan on driving during your ownership period and how long you plan on keeping the vehicle.
Based on my experiences, used-car purchasers will pay a little extra for a rust-protected, three- or four-yearold vehicle over a similar, non rustp-rotected vehicle.
Rust protection is offered at newcar dealerships and it’s the business manager’s role to offer that product when you purchase a vehicle. My advice would be to be as informed as possible before you visit a business office so that you can make a wise decision.
I also advise customers to wash their vehicle often during winter to eliminate salt deposits, which can lead to rust. This won’t eliminate the possibility of rust completely but it will help.
Wherever you choose to have rust protection applied, make sure that you hire a reputable firm that offers a quality product. If in doubt, check out some review/consumer websites to find out what customers have to say about a given product or company.
For all the latest industry news (including automotive careers, education and consumer information), visit carsandjobs.com. This column represents the views of TADA. Email president@tada.ca or go to www.tada.ca. Doug Sullivan is president of the Trillium Automobile Dealers Association. He is a new-car dealer in Huntsville, Ont.