Rustproofing, worth it or not,

Morning Geoff

I have seen what salt can do to a car if not looked after. No matter how much rustproof stuff you put on or do there will always be something left over. I always spend about a hour every time I have been on the beach cleaning and I swear the car is spotless inside and outside....then I walk past my car and I always find sand popping out at places that I didn't know was there. I have inside and outside rustproof and I am also running a electronic rust proofing unit
Fish oil as a good one as well to slap on before you get on the sand

We got our Patrol rustproofed when we bought it new as part of the after sales service.

Not sure whether we just fell for the the sales spin but we were advised to go for a wet treatment to protect underneath and an electronic system to protect everything down to the bottom of the doors...(apparently thats as faras the electronic system will protect down to...) we go on sand quite a lot and to date havent had problem with rust (touchwood)

Cheers

I was in the motor industry for quite a few years, & I can assure you that rustproofing is only as good as the person that applys it.
It doesn't matter how good the product is, if the application methods are not up to scratch it is virtually worthless.

I too am very interested in hearing everyone's thoughts. I intend to fit a Electronic Rust inhibitor (ERPS) on my 100 Cruiser ---- $700!! If people think they are a waste of time I would rather save my coin!

The car is 2000 Model so I thought I'd be doing it a favour. We intend to travel around OZ in a months time, spending most of it along the coast, Fraser etc....

Hi all . unless you intend keeing your 4by for more than 10 years than I think is a total waste of money, Cant comment on the power one as I have never seen conclusive evidence that it works. The other spray on stuff, end rust, wynns, is all crap. I reckon you cant go past the old fish oil, at least it runs right down into the seams which is most important as that is where most vehicles will rust from there up.The other places are behind front guard just infront of your front door, you see the area when opening your door up. As Shaker said even fish oil is use
less unless its applied in the incorrect way. When I use to work for toyota in my early days we use to call it the $1000 car wash so called , Paint protection rubbed on with a cloth,seat protection sprayed very sparingly onto the seats dont worry about the door trims customers wont know, and last but not least the old rust protection, up on the hoist spray the bleep everywhere including over the gearbox and exhaust every where you dont need it then when customer comes to pick up just tell them that its just a bit of rust proofing overspray dont worry about the smoke and smell. Then god help the mechanics when they neede to put a spanner over the nuts etc. Yep know all about it did it for 4 years. All crap. Just my opinion. Regards Steve M

Oil repels water , so where can i get some oil to spray on the underside of my troopy . Ahhh i know , i have drums of old sump oil . I think i will mix half sump oil and half diesel and spray on with a 9ltr garden sprayer . Next i will need something to get the sand out of everywhere . I will just buy a staun underbody budy .
Theres salt spray all over my car , oh no i will have to give it a good wash .

Hi Geoff,
These days cars are dipped in chemicals to slow the rust process down. Unless your planning on keeping it for at least 12 or more years ..its not worth it. The best way to keep the rust off it is to high pressure wash it after every trip. This will assure you have a salt free body.

I have been in the automotive business all my life, the advances today in rust prevention are amazing. Spend the money on something else or you can post a cheque to me c/o Ange's free advice at a cost !!!

P.S..the above applies to all makes EXCEPT Fiats ok. Those things rust whatever you do.

Cheers
Ange

Just buy a Landrover.
Mine has an automatic oiling system, I just keep adding it to the transfer case & it automatically sprays out under the vehicle.

from Marty.

Hi Geoff,

I have been driving 4wd's on the beach for the last 20 years and have pretty well tried it all.
I have a 1990 model 80 series Landcruiser which has had a genuine Electronic Rust Prevention System (ERPS) as well as being rustproofed professionally since the day it rolled out of the dealership.
My cruiser has spent at least 8 weeks each year in a heavy salt environment like Fraser Island etc. and it does not have a spot of rust in it. I also live on the beachfront with the salt mist in the air whenever the wind is blowing from the sea.
If I were to do it all over again I would go with professionally applied rustproofing like Endrust or similar as the products they use and the methods they have of applying them are not worth the struggle of stripping every trim from your vehicle and having the truck smell like dead fish for the next 3 months (at least).
I have spent years spraying my other 4wd's with fishoilene in the panels and Tectyl underneath. The products the professionals use tend to be less prone to being impregnated with beach sand that can NEVER be removed. (trust me I tried).
When it comes to the ERPS I think they are a waste of money. Even though my 80 has no rust, I still put that down to the chemical treatment rather than the electronic one. About all it has done is show a red LED light in the engine bay for the last 16 years. That's my opinion anyway.

Brett

Rust proofing is good... if it covers all the nasty little spots where rust will get to. If however water gets in between the rust proofing and the metal.... well, it might just make things worse.

Flog the car before rust appears.