In the sea of dealer-offered add-ons, it’s not always easy to tell which ones you actually need. Rust-proofing is a particularly popular offering, but its value is often heavily debated. Nearly all modern vehicles are built with sophisticated corrosion protection, which makes rust-proofing obsolete in many geographical locations. Plus, there is a rust warranty on top of everything else.
However, warranty does expire and there are still plenty of regions in the world where vehicles are at a high risk of corrosion damage. If you often drive in central or eastern parts Canada, then your vehicle may be at risk of rust due to heavy usage of road salts and plentiful snowfalls. In this case, the debate isn’t whether you need rust-proofing or not, but how much you are willing to pay for it. We break down all your options right here:
How Rust Works
Cars have changed a lot in the past 20 years, and one key difference is the treatment and usage of metal. Although innovations are made to mitigate rust, circumstances can still cause your vehicle to deteriorate.
Potential rusting can occur in the aftermath of an accident. Without repairing exposed steel, weather and other elements can cause the metal to rust. Even something as simple as a rock-chip can lead to your car’s frame rusting.
Although rust is a hideous sight, it only affects the frame of a vehicle – nothing else. Modern car frames are galvanized and well-protected, which means that you can still drive your “ugly” vehicle without any major problems.
If you want a cheap prevention solution, simply wash your vehicle after it’s been exposed to deteriorating elements, such as salt, and you should be good to go. It’s a simple solution that you can do at home without anyone helping you.
Dealer Rust-Proofing
Dealer-offered rust-proofing costs can range from $500 to over $1,000. So, before you hand the money over, know which type of protection your vehicle needs and how it actually works.
One rust-proofing method exists in the form of an electronic module, a device that sends a faint electric current through the sheet metal and generates an electrochemical reaction that stops the corrosion. These modules are easy to install, and many dealers offer them as an optional upgrade. Electronic modules are designed to prevent rust and can also be found in retailers such as Canadian Tire.
Nevertheless, there is still much debate within the automotive and science community on whether the technology actually works as advertised. Independent reviewers have not left too many endorsements, and the Automobile Protection Association “is not convinced that electronic anti-rust devices provide good protection compared to the available alternatives.”
Another solution in preventing rust from damaging your vehicle involves a tar-based spray. It’s considered a common protection upgrade at dealerships. Simply put, the spray is an undercoating that creates a barrier underneath your car. Also, take into consideration that you’ll need to bring your vehicle in for occasional check-ups to ensure there are no cracks in the barrier. If there is, moisture can get sealed in and damage the vehicle.
Third-Party Rust-Proofing
There are a few notable brands on the market that deal with rust-proofing.
Ziebart, one of the biggest rust protection providers, offers a selection of tar-based sprays, as well as Penetr-Oil dripless oil spray. Dripless oil spray is very similar to tar-based sprays as it hardens fast. But it does require extra steps, such as drilling holes into parts of the car, so that the substance could be applied. The average price for dripless oil spray from Ziebart is about $120 to $140, depending on your vehicle.
Krown and Rust Check are two other leading rust protection brands in Canada. They offer a product called drip oil spray, which, if you can imagine, is a potentially messier version of the dripless oil spray. This can cause stains in your garage if you choose to apply it yourself. Drip oil spray does have some value in that its consistency is liquid-like enough that it can reach hard-to-get-to areas of the car, unlike dripless oil sprays. Still, holes will need to be drilled in order to complete the process.
Protecting your vehicle from rust is never a bad idea, but if money is a factor, getting rust-proofing might not be the best idea. If you intend to trade in your vehicle after the warranty has expired, paying more for rust-proofing would be a complete waste of resources. However, if you are planning to keep your vehicle longer and see how far that would take you, then rust-proofing might actually be a worthy investment.
