Rust proofing a new 4x4 ?

You can buy fish oil in spray cans at super cheap and other auto shops.

Just put on a nozzle extension and do it all yourself - the rust proofing done professionally does the same thing

Personally I don't think there's any substitute for rinsing your 4wd's undercarriage and any where else after being on the beach and to keep the drain holes in your doors free from garbage.

I cant claim credit for this .....it was written by the guru Collyn Rivers & I sort of borrowed it from another website.......

quote

I ran a six year trial of this in conjunction with Endrust, reporting the results in the CMCA's magazine and elsewhere - from about 1998 - 2004.

I did it by using four otherwise identical strips of unprotected steel, two attached in electrical contact with my then OKA's chassis - and two isolated from it by a 25 mm thick bar of nylon. The OKA spent most of that time exposed to the elements at our home about 300 metres from the Indian ocean (and directly exposed to it) at our home north of Broome.

I reported on the results from time to time.

I found evidence that the device works to a point. There was a marked difference in rusting between the protected and the unprotected strips. The protected strips were interesting in that they quickly built up a light brown coating that could readily be wiped off by a Kleenex and stayed like that throughout the trial period. The unprotected strips were severely pitted. There was a difference in weight before and after of an averaged 3.7% (+/- 0.5%).

Endrust's claims were modest: only that the device retarded rusting (but made it clear it did not not prevent it) by a factor of about 3:1 and that it is best used where convenventional rust proofing techniques cannnot practicably be used (as for example old Toyota Coasters etc).

Other vendors have made much stronger claims - to the point that the US authorities took action about 15 years ago - and at that level the technique cannot be taken seriously. But I would not see it as a scam - unless claims way in excess of what I found are made for it.

What is interesting - and is noted by most people who use the devices - is that the vehicle paintwork 'blooms' when the dvice is switched. This is very noticeable - but I'm quite unclear what if anything this implies.

Summarising - it's probably worth thinking about for a very old vehicle as it may extend its life for a few more years, but rust proofing techniques are now so much better on today's vehicles that I doubt if it's worth it for new vehicles.

The technique is quite old and its in the public domain. The device is easy enough to build by anyone sufficiently into electronics (like my old ETI readers?). It essentially applies a pulsed capacitive charge at a fairly high voltage.

For people wishing to delve further there are several academically rigorous published tests of these units by seriously heavy testing authorities. They report results very similar to mine qualitatively, but also quantify what they found.

I recollect that Endrust in Geraldton also did a lot of work in this area (and as they are into all aspects of corrosion protection they have no reason for bias). I recollect to that they came to similar conclusions:

'It works to a point but if there is a conventional way that's to be preferred'.
Collyn Rivers
end quote

I believe 100s L/Cruiser body panels are galvanised or have some similar coating, mine is coming up for 7 years old and no sign of rust. Have some stone chips, and deep ones with no sign of rust. Also had an ERPS system fitted from new, so don't know if that has any effect.

Regards

Krakka

I have the commercial version of the ERPS fitted to my 18 year old 80 Series. This has been fitted for the life of the vehicle.
I have never seen an 80 series with as much rust as mine.
It has some huge breakouts in weird places like A pillars, C pillars, tailgate, wheelarches, roof etc.
The post above mentions blooming of the paint. Ha! Mine barely has a shiny spot left on the paint. Normally the flat panels go off on the early 80's but mine has milky powdery paint all over including the side panes and doors etc.

Would I ever fit an electronic system for prevention of rust again?
What do you reckon?

I believe professionally applied chemical protection of some form when the vehicle is brand new is the only way to go. The problem is the vehicles are much more resistant to rust than 20-30 years ago and people turn over their vehicles more frequently and are unlikely to ever keep the vehicle long enough to benefit from paying for rust protection when new.

my 2 cents.


BW

"smoke and mirrors to gouge more money by dealers"

You've got it in one. That's why the prettiest girl in the dealer gets that job.

I have it on my Paj. They quickly back away from what they say about it stopping rust after I asked a few questions a couple of years after fitted. Pity I didn't ask them when I bought the car and had it fitted...yep, you got it pretty girl!!! Waste of money!!

I have had a counteract rust proofing device on my Series 80 Cruiser since 1999.
About 3 year ago I discovered rust under the back window (apparently common with these vehicles).
I also found pretty terminal rust on the firewall which runs right across the passenger side.
I rang counteract who at first carried on a bit and then sent me a new device. Never bothered putting it on.
I must admit thoug until a few years ago the paint work was very good but its now starting to powder.
I would never use one again. Am about to purchase a new Prado and I will be looking at the old and trusted methods.

Cheers

Howard