Rust Control

We've all seen that car or truck with rusty holes through the body panels, flaky and discolored paint and brown-red stains dripping down the sides like bullet holes. Its rust: the disease that needlessly claims the lives of many vehicles every year. Not only is it a cosmetic disgrace that can ruin an otherwise great machine, but it poses a safety concern too. Weak, rusty metal compromises the strength of the vehicles uni-body or frame, and in extreme cases, perforation can allow exhaust gasses to enter the cabin.

All winter long, your vehicle is exposed to the toxic spray of sand, salt and moisture from the roads surface. It's not just the undercarriage that's affected either- as this stuff creeps upwards and gets into everything. Wherever there's a bolt, a screw or an opening, there's a good chance that salty nastiness has found its way inside.

As the iron in steel is exposed to oxygen, their molecules form a bond which makes iron oxide, or rust. Sand and dirt under the vehicle allows moisture to remain in contact with it and can worsen the oxidation process. Salt just speeds things up- it encourages the electronic transfer of ions to take place more quickly. It's like throwing gasoline on a slow-burning fire. We'll skip science class and say that much of Canada's climate isn't conducive to the prolonged existence of a vehicle's body.

The solution for many Canadians is to oil-spray or under-coat their vehicles. Rust-Block, Krown Rust Control and other franchises specialize in applying treatments that block out the moisture that causes rusting- both beneath and inside of your vehicles body.


There's some question as to when the best time of year is to have the treatment applied.

Leah-Jo Mercer-Sbrega of Krown Rust Control explains. "Spring is a great time to protect your vehicle. With temperatures ranging the way they do this time of year, the metal on your vehicle expands and contracts a great deal, allowing our product to creep in and penetrate the steel, although it can be applied in any season."

The product used in most applications is a non-evaporating liquid which also acts as a lubricant. It lubricates any moving parts it comes into contact with, like shifter linkages and door lock mechanisms- but it also creeps into all the tiny spaces where moisture may become trapped, displacing water in the process. The treatment can stop existing rust from spreading as well- so it's good on previously-untreated used cars.

Your car's body is just like any other part- and if you maintain it, it will reward you with long life. Treatment generally costs between $100 and $200 and take about an hour to apply- depending on the vehicle.


Photo Credit : Jupiter Images