4 Ways To Stop Rust Killing Your Car

Before we get into the meat of how to prevent rust, it’s important to know what rust actually is. So to get a little bit technical, here’s some science…

Rust is iron oxide that’s created by the presence of three things: an anode, a cathode and an electrolyte. To quote How Stuff Works, "an anode is a piece of metal that will readily release electrons under the right circumstances. Cathodes are metals that will accept electrons. Electrolytes are liquids that facilitate the movement of electrons."

Simply put, the metal in your car acts as both an anode and a cathode, while water (from rain, puddles, humidity etc) is the electrolyte. It’s important to remember, however, that water alone is a poor carrier of electrons. What really does the job well is salt, which is why cars that are parked near coastal areas will rust more aggressively than those that are parked inland.

So how can we protect cars from rusting?

1. Wash and wax your car regularly

Paint on cars not only looks pretty, it also forms a barrier between the metal and the outside world. But over time, small scratches will appear, and gaps in the protective paint layer will form. That’s when iron oxide becomes a problem, which is why it’s vital that the car is cleaned and waxed regularly (clean every two weeks, wax every month is a good rule of thumb).

When the car is cleaned, make sure to wipe off any excess water with a chamois. You must also pay close attention while cleaning and drying your wheel arches; this is where dirty water tends to lurk and cause serious long-term damage. And don’t forget to keep the water drainage points free from dirt too.

Again, if you live by the sea or if you drive over salty roads, make sure you keep an even closer eye on every inch of your car’s body.

2. If you spill anything inside, clean it up!

Rust doesn’t only happen on the outside, you know. It can also start from the inside of a car and work its way out. Common causes are liquid spillages which seep into the carpets and lurk unnoticed.

If you’re the owner of an older car with a soft-top roof or a potentially leaky sunroof, then be extra careful too: water can seep through the gaps and bite you in the backside when you least expect it.

3. Rust-proof the hell out of the underside

Don’t forget to make the underside of your car rust-proof too. Fluids like Waxoyl, Dinitrol or POR-15 offer long-lasting protection to chassis rails and the car’s floor.

If you’re keen to do the job yourself, however, make sure you come prepared. These tar-like fluids are hard to apply and if you get any of it on your skin, my advice is that you chop that piece of your body clean off and pray that it grows back.

If rust prevention is high on your list, then avoid investing in an MX-5, or any other car that’s known for tin worm issues. I bought what I thought was a pretty clean example (some of my new hairdressing friends also commented on the minimal rust), but as many of you already know from the video above, I couldn’t have been more mistaken; in fact, it took the guys at Skuzzle Motorsport a solid month of cutting, grinding, welding, swearing, fabricating, fitting, filling, more swearing, sanding and painting to get my Phil up and running again.

Soon, I’ll spend an afternoon with a tin of rust proofer and a thick paint brush to make sure rust stays the hell away (for a few years at least).