Corrosion

Corrosion is the Achilles heel of any vehicle. It is rare to find a vehicle that is older than ten or twenty years that has not had to have some work done due to rust unless the owner was exceedingly careful about how the car was kept. Even then, sometimes there is nothing that can be done. Certain cars are made with design flaws that result in rust and corrosion that could not have been avoided in any way, shape, or form. This is always quite a blow, but it is part of owning a vehicle. So what’s a person to do?

One of the best things for you to do is to keep some layer between your car and the elements. Many people use a form of wax for this. Not only does it make your car look shiny and new, but it also helps to keep rain or other liquids from penetrating deep into the metal so you cannot get it clean and dry. This is why you see people who cover their car with tarps or other forms of waterproof fabric when it rains. This is great for show cars, but many of us have one car and we can’t afford to go home and cover it every time it rains.

Another thing you can do is make sure that you always fully dry the vehicle. While letting it air dry can be good for the top of the car, maybe try putting a fan underneath it in an attempt to dry the undercarriage. Even using a rag to get off some of the excess water isn’t a bad idea as long as you know that it’s clean. A high powered fan like the ones you see coming out of a car wash is always ideal, though.

The last thing to keep in mind is that the second you see rust, take it to a body shop. Don’t wait until it gets so bad that you need to replace an entire panel. Sometimes, nothing can be done by that point. At the first sign of trouble, take it in and see what can be done about the issue. This vehicle is likely part of your livelihood in one way or another, so be sure to treat it as such. Staying on top of corrosion is the only way you will get your money out of each vehicle.