Motorists who do not plan to keep their vehicle for more than four years can stop reading here. An anti-rust treatment applied by a third party (outside the factory) represents an unnecessary expense and hardly convertible into cash on resale.
However, if the goal is to beat a longevity record, this protection remains ideal, even if today’s vehicles are better protected. To convince us, warranties against rust perforation generally cover vehicles for a period of six years. On the other hand, the guarantee against surface rust, when there is one, rarely exceeds four years.
1, 2, 3… go!
Rustproofing, okay, but which one? At present, specialized companies offer liquid oil, semi-solid oil, grease, permanent treatment and electronic anti-rust.
Each treatment has its advantages. Including electronic anti-rust, yet deemed ineffective by some “experts”. The same, often, who see no problem in drilling holes to better “circulate” the protective treatment. To avoid. On the one hand, some manufacturers will not hesitate for a second to terminate their warranty. On the other hand, drilling holes in the structure risks both weakening certain components or promoting rust …
That said, without calling into question the effectiveness of the treatments offered on the market, rust always risks, whatever we do, to appear. The problem lies in the application of the products used, which is not always perfectly uniform, in the time of the season and also in the design of the vehicle itself (ventilation).
Some help
It should not be deduced from this that the protection offered by the manufacturer or the specialized company is foolproof. The motorist also has some responsibility. Alas, it rarely does.
For example, it is up to him to carefully hide the scars on the bodywork on his vehicle with the help of an add-on paint. It is also up to him to apply a quality wax to preserve the shine of the bodywork. It is also up to him to lubricate the hinges of the doors, the trunk and the hood latch. In the process, it is also necessary to apply a silicone-based jelly on the sealing rubbers in order to keep them in good condition and to reduce the risk of ice formation.
Another point often overlooked is washing.
Yes, it is necessary to have your car washed in the winter. This makes it possible to rid the body of particles and agents which adhere to it and which could seriously damage it.
Naturally, the pleasure of seeing the body shine, even under the wan rays of the sun, will be short-lived, as the slush and abrasives will hasten to spoil the party after a few kilometers. There is therefore no need to spend unnecessary time polishing the body panels. On the other hand, it is imperative to sprinkle generously the frame and the wheel wells. And pay a lot of attention to the drying period. And that is why it is preferable to favor establishments that do hand washing rather than automatic washing gantries. And if you notice a scratch on the body, correct it as soon as possible. Rust doesn’t wait.
What about hybrid and electric vehicles?
Several companies offer specialized treatment for hybrid and electric vehicles. This, more complex and more expensive, however, has the merit of being carefully applied. Besides, the work takes a few hours and not a few minutes. It consists, in the most meticulous, in removing certain trim (moldings, false fenders, door sills, etc.) to ensure that the treatment does not come into contact with the vehicle’s electrical and electronic components.