Worthwhile to rust proof a new car?

[lasallejai]

Mazda dealer I am buying my car from uses a wax based rust proofing agent, and their listed price is $649, but with APA purchase discount it is $449. Is it worthwhile to rust proof my new car at all.

[BobW]

Most people advise against purchasing rustproofing, scotchguarding etc on a new car. Those are pretty much high profit items for dealers to try and sell you. Ask yourself this:

1) How long do you plan to own this car?
2) What is the manufacturers warranty on rust?
3) What happens when you look at the dealer with a concerned look on your face and ask "Oh.. are Mazda's really that prone to rust issues?" Either they will point out the manufacturerer's warranty or backpedal on the hardsell of rustproofing... if they say yes, you probably don't want to buy the car anyway....

[v33k]

Up till today

I have not heard a sucessful claim against rust proofing.
If you read the fine print, the rust has to be develop from inside-out, not outside-in.

What rust will start from inside-out since only the outside is prone to salt.

When I bought my car like 8 yrs ago, I did the rustproofing package, life time warranty, blah blah blah, costed me like $1000

Now I find a rust spot near the wheelwell area, they told me it's not covered since the rust is develop from outside.

So on my new car, I didn't buy any of those rip-off package at all.
I save the $500 or so for car wash during winter instead.

That's my take.

[shabby]

Stay away from the undercoating! ;)

[Pete_Coach]

Stay away from the undercoating! ;)
Why?

[Razor Leaf]

If you’re gonna rust-proof, don’t buy the package from the dealer. Just go to Krown or Rust-Check. From what I know and have heard from my brothers, the dealership won’t re-spray everything when you take it back to them. They’ll just do touch-ups. So the package is not worth what you’ve paid. Krown will re-spray everything each time you do it, and they often have coupons on their website.

[dtcanada]

Mazda dealer I am buying my car from uses a wax based rust proofing agent, and their listed price is $649, but with APA purchase discount it is $449. Is it worthwhile to rust proof my new car at all.

If it were my car...i would...i probably will not do it at the dealer tho...although...u have a pretty good price too...$449 is really good considering I had to pay $600 at Toyota...but like the fellow RFDers stated above...when u bring it back for annual check up...all they do is look at it...waste of time really...and they won't do anything...

but I still recommend it...it's worthwhile...one less thing to worry about...atleast u won't have to worry about it for about 10 years...

[lasallejai]

Thanks guys, and maybe I should call it off and use the money to purchase extended warrenty instead? However, APA member purchase only knocks $100 off their extended warrenty price, no matter what the term I choose. For me to get comprehensive coverage for 5 years, two years extended therefore, the price plus tax is about $1800. I have never purchased extended warrenty before so I would like to ask for your opinions. I never had any major problems with my last 4 cars but I did need to replace an alternator in my Toyota in her fourth year and a A/C condensor in my Mazda in her 5th year--nothing for my Subaru and my Eagle Talon. Therefore, I am thinking not to take the extended warrenty. Any constructive advice will be greatly appreciated.

[i2004tor]

If it were my car...i would...i probably will not do it at the dealer tho...although...u have a pretty good price too...$449 is really good considering I had to pay $600 at Toyota...but like the fellow RFDers stated above...when u bring it back for annual check up...all they do is look at it...waste of time really...and they won't do anything...



That's my situation exactly, except I just bought my new Corolla recently. I got rust-proofing "thrown in", but I didn't realize that to keep the rust-proofing warranty valid, I would have to bring it back for annual inspections ($45 + tax). Sounds like a rip-off/cash-grab. I've already pretty much decided to forget about that, and just take my chances.

[Whitedart]

Mazda dealer I am buying my car from uses a wax based rust proofing agent, and their listed price is $649, but with APA purchase discount it is $449. Is it worthwhile to rust proof my new car at all.

I would also suggest Krown (oil based application). I have used it since 1989 on several vehicles, and no rust issues. Cost about $100.00 per year, for as long as you keep the car.


I am not a fan of extended warranties for any item, but I also insist on regular car maintenance.

[konfusion666]

don't bother with any of those "dealer extras" when buying a new car.

you're just putting more money in the dealer's pocket.

it's almost like the sole purpose of those things existing is to guarantee the dealer comes on top, even if you bargained too hard on the actual car price...

(extended warranty is the only thing that's remotely useful...)

[dtcanada]

That's my situation exactly, except I just bought my new Corolla recently. I got rust-proofing "thrown in", but I didn't realize that to keep the rust-proofing warranty valid, I would have to bring it back for annual inspections ($45 + tax). Sounds like a rip-off/cash-grab. I've already pretty much decided to forget about that, and just take my chances.

$45 per check up? that's weird...I get my check up for free...and I am still pissed...cuz I have to drive for like 30 minutes to get there...and all they do is look at it...and say "looks good, see you next year" WTF is that?!?!

[Vickel]

dont get the rustproof at the dealer,
they send it out to be rustproofed anyways
take it to a Krown or similar place
same quality cheaper price

[jetway1212]

OP, dont do it, many newbies have felt for it. Just KrownRoof every year.

[Vickel]

That's my situation exactly, except I just bought my new Corolla recently. I got rust-proofing "thrown in", but I didn't realize that to keep the rust-proofing warranty valid, I would have to bring it back for annual inspections ($45 + tax). Sounds like a rip-off/cash-grab. I've already pretty much decided to forget about that, and just take my chances.

check up should be free

[Vickel]

OP, dont do it, many newbies have felt for it. Just KrownRoof every year.

i had mine done at the dealer, regret it now
could have saved a few hundred

[MrDisco]

from what i've read if you're planning to keep your car for a long time rust proofing isn't a bad thing. i would take it to Krown (not sure but ask if the CAA has any discounts). only 'bad' part is that they will have to drill a hole if they can't use of the existing holes and you have to go back every so often to do re-applications.

i think the market is undecided on those electronic modules that some dealers are trying to sell for rust proofing.

a manufacturer extended warrenty can also be a good thing if you're going to keep it for a while. look at the cost of the warrenty and weigh it against the cost of any future repairs. sometimes you may be better off saving that money.

[SodiumSulfate]

If you had rustproofing done at the dealer and decide to take it to Krown later on in your car's lifetime; can Krown apply their "stuff" ontop of the "stuff" that's already there, or will they have to get rid of the dealer's material and then put in their own?

[Chookman]

I was giving a friend of a friend advice about this last week. She just got a new Corolla and was wondering about the rustproofing. I told her to forgo it and just do Krown yearly. Later when she went back to finalize some stuff, the dealer asked her about the rustproofing and she declined, mentioning that she'd take care of it aftermarket with Krown. The dealer told her that her warranty would be voided if any of the spray happened to "affect the special sensors in the car or if anything went wrong because of the aftermarket spray".

Suffice it to say, they offered her a "deal" for it and charged her $750 and she paid for the dealer rustproofing.

Those dealers sure are slime by playing on a buyer's fear of the "what if" to score more cash.

[i2004tor]

I was giving a friend of a friend advice about this last week. She just got a new Corolla and was wondering about the rustproofing. I told her to forgo it and just do Krown yearly. Later when she went back to finalize some stuff, the dealer asked her about the rustproofing and she declined, mentioning that she'd take care of it aftermarket with Krown. The dealer told her that her warranty would be voided if any of the spray happened to "affect the special sensors in the car or if anything went wrong because of the aftermarket spray".

Suffice it to say, they offered her a "deal" for it and charged her $750 and she paid for the dealer rustproofing.

Those dealers sure are slime by playing on a buyer's fear of the "what if" to score more cash.

****ing stealerships. Which one was that?

[konfusion666]

wow, some pretty bad "stealerships" have been mentioned in this thread.

and i thought my Acura stealership was bad, they were *only* asking for $500 to do the rust-proofing :lol:

[lumlum1013]

I have a MAZDA myself,

i was able to threaten rust proofin' and extended warranty @ no extra cost....
probably the salesman was desprate to get rid of the car to fill his quota,
newayz,

i've seen same year car of mine, havin' rust built up from
wheel well, the holes behind mazda's emblems and from inside the door

until now i have nothin' from the wheel well,
i have these yellowish rust proof crap all over the inside the
door...so no rust for me...

but i have rust built up from the black window trim,
rust proof won't cover it, extended warranty won't cover it either,

so now that i filled u in, think again if you wanna purchase rust
proof from a mazda dealership...

[Chookman]

****ing stealerships. Which one was that?

I'm not sure. I didn't ask because it was a friend of a friend asking off-the-cuff advice. It was later that my friend told me what happened. I do know that the Toyota dealership is in the London area but as to which exact one, I'm not sure.

[plymouthhater]

I have used Krown for years. We just sold my wife's 1997 Ford Aerostar minivan - everyone knows Aerostars are notorious rust buckets. My wife's van was sprayed at Krown for 9 years since new - the body was perfect right up to the day we sold it!

Needless to say, I drove the her new vehicle to Krown with 16 km's on the odometer.

The new car dealer (Mazda) tried the high pressure sales tactic on their in house rustproofing. I asked the "business mgr." if it was oil based or wax based. He replied "wax based". I immediately explained to him that the wax will crack over time and will trap salty water against the body and actually increase the chance of rust.

He then tried the BS arguement that going aftermarket will void my body warranty on the new vehicle as Krown drills holes. I just laughed at him and told him he did not know what he was talking about.

[Sprite_TM]

from what i have heard, those dealer extras are like those best buy extended warranties which they try to get more outta u

[pfdude]

For those who have gone to Krown, what's the process there?
Do you drop off your car and they do it at some point during the day or do you make an appointment? How long does it take? Do you drop it off then come back after a certain amount of time?

[Geologic]

For those who have gone to Krown, what's the process there?
Do you drop off your car and they do it at some point during the day or do you make an appointment? How long does it take? Do you drop it off then come back after a certain amount of time?

I had my Mazda 3 05' rustproofed from krown the first year I got it (last year). I will be going back in Oct for another annual application. The process isn't long, the first time they do it they have to drill holes into the panels so I'm guessing this time around it won't take as long since they just have to pull out the plugs. You can make an appointment (I did) and it maybe takes about 30 - 45 minutes.

oh, and make sure you do it nice and early (around oct) because there tends to be a really long wait since so many people get their cars rustproofed last minute before winter hits. Plus they tend to rush it if there are other cars waiting. I went to the Krown on McCowan/Sheppard.

[pfdude]

You can make an appointment (I did) and it maybe takes about 30 - 45 minutes.

oh, and make sure you do it nice and early (around oct) because there tends to be a really long wait since so many people get their cars rustproofed last minute before winter hits. Plus they tend to rush it if there are other cars waiting. I went to the Krown on McCowan/Sheppard.

Thanks for the info!

Is June/July typically a busy month? And can you drive the car immediately or does it need to sit for any period of time?

[gordholio]

I know this is outside of Toronto, but here's an example of what a non-drip oil spray costs - $99.95.

http://burlington.701.com/sites/701/HTML/burlington/359376.html

http://burlington.701.com/sites/701/IMAGEDIR/content_52099.gif

[Whitedart]

For those who have gone to Krown, what's the process there?
Do you drop off your car and they do it at some point during the day or do you make an appointment? How long does it take? Do you drop it off then come back after a certain amount of time?

For Krown, I usually make an appointment and go at lunch hour. Process takes about an hour. Maybe a little longer for the first spray, as they usually drill some small holes to access areas that are not readily accessible. They do place plugs in the holes, so it does leave a finished look.
They also give the vehicle a light washing to remove excess spray from the exterior body. They don't recommend going to a car wash right away, but to let the oil spray soak into all the crevices where winter salt spray may collect.

As indicated elsewhere, October/November becomes a busy time for them. I usually have the spraying done during August, as they will typically offer a $10 discount during what is a slow period for them.

You can drop the vehicle off and pickup later, but I often watch them doing the spraying.

One thing that hasn't been mentioned for this oil spraying is that it will remain wet for some time under the hood and body parts, so it will not chip off like a dealer's wax based coating.

[rfdrfd]

Read your new car's manual on rust warranty. Mine says a coat has already been applied at the factory and HONDA Does NOT recommend any extra rust coating.

So, if your manual says this, and you go ahead and adds an extra coat to it, then you basically did not follow the manual's instructions = void the warranty.


My opinion, new cars do not need any extra rust proofing. Yes, some places do drill holes (in a new car? OUCH) and some places do a crappy job of it. Then, just like any extended warranty, 99% of the time, it is NOT covered or they can weasle their way out of paying you.

Just be good to your car if you plan to keep it for a long time. During the Winter (salty) season, wash it nicely at least once a month. Summer time, at least every two months.

This way, not significant salt build up will occur. And your car will never rust.

[sshe11]

how much does the Krown rust protection cost ?? My car is ~3 yrs old now, but no rusts so far on the body ... would like to keep it that way ...

[konfusion666]

i think about $100 per visit. you do it once every year.

[sshe11]

i think about $100 per visit. you do it once every year.

alright cool ... I just checked and it is $109 but if you get it done in the off-season than you get $10 off ...

[beerbaron105]

my car has a 5 yr corrosion warranty thru gm i believe, bought it new last year, i doubt ill own it for 5 yrs since i switch up cars every 2 yrs or so. so no, i dont believe in rust proofing