Choosing the Best Rustproofing Treatment: Here's What You Need to Know

Rustproofing is always a good idea, even though modern vehicles are more durable than in the past. After all, body and paint work can be very expensive. The long-term health of various underbody parts also depends on it.

There's never really a bad time to have your vehicle treated, as any protection is better than none. Also, if your vehicle has never been protected against rust, the best time to take care of it is now.

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Obviously, you shouldn’t wait until the cold season when the combination of nature’s elements and road spray most threatens the integrity of the bodywork and the components underneath. Moreover, at this time of the year, the appointment at the workshop will be longer so that the staff can thoroughly de-ice and dry your vehicle (if necessary) before applying the treatment.

Fair weather periods when the roads are not wet or salty, like spring and summer, are ideal. During these two seasons, rustproofing products are most effective and provide better protection, experts confirm.

What is the Best Rustproofing Treatment?

Whether you are scheduling an appointment with a car dealership or a company specializing in rustproofing, you should know that not all treatments provide equally satisfying results.

Electronic rustproofing is best suited for large, continuous surfaces: ships, dump trucks, waste containers, etc. It is said to be durable, which explains the several hundred dollar bill, but in reality, it is far from being the best solution for a car or SUV. Since automobiles are made up of multiple body panels and parts without direct contact and an increasing amount of plastic, the effectiveness of electronic rustproofing is questionable.

Be wary of so-called "lifetime" treatments offered by dealerships when buying a new or almost-new vehicle. Often made of wax (paraffin), and sometimes also silicone, Teflon or polymer, this product could cost you nearly $1,000 or more, and it's even worse if you choose to include it in your monthly payments. It's possible to save a substantial amount, even a few hundred dollars, by doing business with an independent or franchised shop.

Grease-based rustproofing is also known to last for a long time. It costs several hundred dollars depending on the type of vehicle. After five or six years (will you still be the owner at that point?), all you’ll need to do is to make small touch-ups in certain areas or treat parts that may have been repaired or replaced following a collision.

This kind of treatment is not widely available on the market. It is almost always offered by independent shops. Its application requires expertly adjusted tools and more personnel than other types of rustproofing. It should also be noted that grease is less effective in reaching remote and vulnerable areas, and it sometimes tends to build up in certain spots. One major benefit is that grease does not drip: the product effectively penetrates the treated surfaces and stays in place much longer.

Then there’s classic oil-based rustproofing, which is quite effective, but requires annual application. The Automobile Protection Association (APA) recommends Krown's treatment and expertise. The application is thorough, and holes are drilled with special drill bits to minimize damage. The most well-known irritants are driveway stains coming from dripping oil, although this is becoming less of a problem nowadays with improvements in oil-based rustproofing products.

Don’t Forget!

If you want to keep your vehicle for a long time, have it treated regularly—even if rust is already present in some places. The layer of oil or grease applied to the body will help slow down the corrosion process.

One last thing: remember to wash your car regularly during the year to prevent a build-up of salt and dirt which retain moisture and accelerate corrosion.