Rustproofing; What are your options and Which Rustproofing option is right for you?

Which Rustproofing option is right for you? What are your options? You arrive at your dealership on a cold winter day to pick up the brand new vehicle you bought.. You may notice the brochures and marketing on the desk for a bed liner or undercoating service . You don’t want to absorb another cost, but the snow and salt-covered parking lot is making you think otherwise. It begs the question, is rust proofing worth it? With multiple rust proofing options available on the market, it can be a challenge to decide which one is best for you, if any. We come here today to explain some of the different types, and further explore the options we offer.

Electronic Module

One of the newest and most heavily disputed methods of rust proofing is through an electronic rust protection system. Often sold by your dealer, an electronic module is a small device that must be professionally installed in your vehicle. These systems emit a weak current through a vehicle’s metal body, theoretically preventing it from reacting with oxygen and corroding.

In practice, the effectiveness of these devices gets mixed reviews from experts and consumers alike. When compared with some of the latter methods, an electronic module is a far less invasive option for your vehicle, since no physical layer is needed to create a moisture shield for your vehicle. However, these devices can be significantly more expensive than their less permanent counterparts, ranging from $500 to $1,000 at a dealership.

Semi-Permanent Polymer Blend (Armour Seal)

Also known as Undercoating. There are many different types of undercoating on the market today. We have tested various types of undercoatings over the years. While many have compared to the undercoating that we offer over the last 5 years, we have still stuck with Armour Seal as our go to choice for a semi permanent undercoating for your vehicle. Many people still believe that having an undercoating done should only be a one time thing.

Due to where we live though and to ensure that the undercoating has not cracked or been scrapped off by large rocks, or debris it is best advised to look into our Silver or Gold Package. Either of these packages will get your free inspections every year or three years for as long as you own that vehicle. You can contact us or go here to learn more about the different packages we offer.

Drip less Oil Spray (Wax based)

Dripless oil has similar properties to a tar-based spray in that it hardens after being sprayed, creating a moisture seal for your vehicle. It has a firm waxy texture and clings to your vehicle’s frame without any run-off. Compared to its tar-based counterpart, a dripless oil spray covers more surface area because it’s applied to more interior regions of the vehicle, but this added protection comes with a price.

The application process often involves drilling holes into the frame of the vehicle to maximize the area covered. If done by a trained professional, these holes are discreetly drilled and shouldn’t be visible. Additionally, these sprays will often leave smaller crevices and tight seams on your vehicle unprotected because of their high viscosity. Competitors charges about $140 for a car and $180 for a van or SUV for this method, and it is recommended that it be re-applied annually.

Drip Oil Spray (T-32)

Evident by its name, a drip oil spray is a more viscous version of the dripless oil spray. It’s applied in a similar fashion. We picked up T-32 Oil from Carwell in Rochester last year, and we have been very fond of this oil! We use the factory with holes in your car’s body when applying T-32 Rustproofing. This procedure is the most common and most recommended method of rust proofing, as it’s able to fully rust proof your vehicle by penetrating all the small nooks and crannies.

One of the biggest advantages of this is that T-32 can be applied any time of the year, without having to let your vehicle sit over night like with our undercoating packages. The biggest knock on this method is that the sprayed oil will drip off your vehicle for about two days as it soaks in to the metal. This means oil on your driveway. While this won’t damage your driveway, it may be slippery. As a result, it is often recommended to park your vehicle on the road while the oil sets. We charge about $120 to spray a car and $140 to spray a Truck, van or SUV. Annual reapplication is recommended.

Is rustproofing really worth it?

Unfortunately, there is no simple answer when it comes to rust proofing your vehicle. To make matters even more complicated, it’s become a common practice for manufacturers to use galvanized steel in their vehicles frames. With a coating of zinc, galvanized steel doesn’t react with oxygen the way iron does greatly reducing the risk of rust. Cars built these days aren’t going to completely rust out like you’d see decades ago. Factors like the climate you will be driving in, the terrain you will be driving on and the amount you will be driving affect the decision.

You should also take into account the length of time you will own your vehicle. Those with a short-term lease won’t see much benefit in rust proofing, save for a slightly higher residual value. If you plan on owning your vehicle for the long haul, rustproofing or undercoating package may contribute to maintaining your vehicle for longer. Finally, the decisions to rust proof has to make financial sense; you wouldn’t want to spend $1,000 rust proofing a 15 year old, $5,000 sedan.

If you still have questions or want to know more about our products or schedule your appointment we are always willing to share the knowledge that we have. Feel free to send us an email or give us a call