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All About Rust
What is rust?
Rust is the substance that is formed when iron begins returning
to its natural state (iron ore) by combining with oxygen to become
ferric oxide. This chemical combining of metal and oxygen is called
oxidation. The oxidation of any metal generates corrosion, and the
corrosion of iron specifically is what we commonly call rust. The
steel from which cars are made is iron alloyed with a small amount
of carbon and therefore may rust. Wherever iron or steel is exposed
to air (oxygen), rust is likely to occur eventually. The oxidation
process is accelerated by moisture, acid rain, salt and dirt, all
of which act as catalysts to speed up the rust process.
Do today's cars still rust?
Yes. Rust can begin in any area of the body, inside or out, that
is exposed to the elements. A recent study conducted by Ziebart
International Corp. involving 240 vehicles manufactured in the 1990s
determined that 105 of the vehicles (44%) showed signs that rust
had formed on the inside of metal panels. The predominant locations
were the bottom seams on doors, the front seam on hoods, the lower
seam on trunk lids, radiator support frames, fender attachment points
and gasoline filler door areas. Current model vehicles have the
same construction as the vehicles studied.
Auto makers protect the outer surfaces of fenders, doors and other
metal parts with coatings of paint. Even though inner surfaces,
such as door panels or the side of a fender that faces the chassis
are coated, it is a much more difficult task to protect those surfaces
from rust. Rust may begin on the inner side of the metal that is
hidden from view and work all the way through the metal to the outside,
painted surface, where it bubbles-up and forms a hole in the steel
panel. Rust can begin in any area of the body that is exposed to
the elements.
Doors tend to rust at the bottom seam because water, dirt and other
corrosive substances fall into the door through the window slot.
If drain holes at the bottom of the door become plugged up, corrosives
accumulate and rust begins. Rocker panels-which form the metal "step"
under the door-are subject to rusting because they are at the lowest
point in the car body shell and may accumulate moisture, salt and
dirt. Any place on the vehicle where two pieces of metal are joined
is a likely place to detect rust. These joints hold moisture, salt,
dirt and other corrosive particles that promote rust. The fender
support braces are one primary area of this type. Also, rust can
form where paint chips off the outer surface of a vehicle. The front
edges of hoods and trunks are common places for rust to appear because
they are the most likely areas of a vehicle to suffer paint damage
and because water that falls on the vehicle runs down to the edges
of the hood and trunk.
Doesn't the manufacturer's guarantee on
my car cover rust damage?
Most guarantees limit the amount of time they cover rust damage
and usually exclude coverage of rust caused by such environmental
factors as stone chips and floods. For example in the Philippines,
the corrosion warranty for a popular Japanese manufacturer states
that what is not covered are, "Factors beyond the manufacturer's
Control… Damages and/or surface corrosion problems due to the
environment such as acid rain, airborne fall-out, salt, hail, windstorms,
lightning, floods, other acts of God and the like are not covered".
For a different Japanese manufacturer, their warranty excludes "Damage
or failure resulting from stone chipping, chemical fallout, tree
sap, salt, hail, floods, windstorm, lightning or other environmental
conditions". Another car manufacturer's warranty covers corrosion
that causes perforation (rust through) within three years, but if
the corrosion does not create a hole (i.e. perforation)-and is not
caused by surface paint damage due to corrosive substances, industrial
fall out, acid rain, chipped paint, scratches and the like - there
is no coverage. You should review your car's warranty guide carefully
to determine the extent of corrosion coverage.
How can I protect my car against rust?
Aftermarket rust protection coats the inside surfaces of metal panels
to protect them from moisture and other corrosives, preventing rust
from starting. This effectively seals out oxygen (air) and H2O (water)
from contact with the metal. It's important to rust-protect your
vehicle before rust begins.
Look for a process that uses durable, long-lasting protectant,
supported by periodic maintenance; and ensure that the rust-proofing
is applied by professional, well-trained technicians.
Wash your car regularly as recommended in your owner's manual,
including the underbody, to remove corrosive substances; and clear
the drain holes at the bottom of doors and under rocker panels.
Spot check and power clean areas of your car that are susceptible
to rust to be sure that water, salt, mud, dust-control chemicals
and other corrosives are not collecting there.
For used cars which may already have began to rust, Ziebart offers
used car rust-protection which first treats your vehicle body shell
with its Rust Eliminator chemical before proceeding with the Rust-Protection
process.
Does aftermarket rustproofing void the manufacturer's
guarantee on my car?
No. The overall manufacturer's
warranty is not jeopardized by rust protection, but manufacturers
will not honor any sheet-metal claims resulting from a faulty application
of rust protection. Sheet- metal claims do not pertain to any mechanical
or non-corrosion claims. Fortunately, Ziebart provides a lifetime
guarantee for any rust damage, and the terms of the guarantee far
exceed the terms offered by manufacturers.
What guidelines should I follow to determine
if my car needs after-market rustproofing?
Every car can benefit from after-market rust protection in two primary
ways:
a. The physical appearance and performance of the vehicle are
preserved.
b. Its resale value is increased.
If you have a car plan from your company, remember that you may
want to purchase it at the end of the plans term. So whether you
have a car plan or own your vehicle outright, you should have it
rust-protected if you plan to keep it for more than two or three
years.
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