Rust proofing that actually pays off

Depending on where you live, rust can be a real killer when it comes to resale value. Here in Toronto, the road salt is layered on so thick that your pant cuffs are permanently encrusted through the winter months.

Because of that, rust proofing can be a real life saver when it comes to preserving the body of your beloved vehicle. But not everyone needs to fork over big bucks for rust inhibiting products and not all rust proofing methods are worth the money you’ll pay for them.

First of all, car owners need to assess how long they expect to keep their vehicles. Most new cars are well-protected at the factory and can last 5-7 years before any rust perforation problems begin to show. Therefore, if you tend to trade in your cars every five years then you needn’t bother.

Secondly, if you do intend to keep your vehicle beyond five years, you shouldn’t shell out hundreds of dollars for rust proofing at the dealership. Not only is it most often over-priced, but it is also no better than a rust inhibition package at an independent rust proofing franchise. In fact, some dealers simply send out their vehicles to those same franchise stores and mark up the cost.

For the record, the two companies most often recommended by consumer groups like Car Help Canada and the Automobile Protection Association (APA) are Krown and Rust Check. Both offer a reliable product that costs about $120-$140 for most cars and trucks. And although it is recommended by those companies as an annual application, the consumer experts suggest 3 or 4 applications are all that you will really need for proctection that will last the life of your car.

Both companies offer a product that is NOT dripless. That’s because a good rust inhibitor needs to be viscous enough to seep into every nook and cranny, so you do have to expect a bit of dripping for the first day or two.

As for electronic rust proofing products, I have seen no scientific proof that these work in automobiles and in my opinion they are most likely worthless. Some gadgets marketed amount to little more than a nine-volt battery and some wires. Quebec has previously banned one kind of electronic rust proofing gadget and the five-year warranty offered by some is not long enough to establish anything. Sure, it may work on boats and bridges, but a car is an entirely different thing and even if it did work on sheet metal, many experts argue that is “not likely to protect vulnerable lines, pipes and connectors,” according to Car Help Canada.