Is rust proofing for new cars necessary?

I'm in Ontario. When I got my new Toyota, the dealer said that new cars are no longer needing rust proofing. However, APA suggests that I have crown rust proofing down every year.

I see some older cars on the road that has really good condition. I wonder if it is because of rust proofing. On the contrary, I also hear that the holes that they drill to rust proof may be a catalyst to rust itself.

Does it really make a difference, say in 6-10 years? Or is it a waste of money every year?

What do you do?

Originally Posted by Master

I'm in Ontario. When I got my new Toyota, the dealer said that new cars are no longer needing rust proofing. However, APA suggests that I have crown rust proofing down every year.

I see some older cars on the road that has really good condition. I wonder if it is because of rust proofing. On the contrary, I also hear that the holes that they drill to rust proof may be a catalyst to rust itself.

Does it really make a difference, say in 6-10 years? Or is it a waste of money every year?

What do you do?

Waste of money and more important waste of time because you are supposed to send the car to check every year.

I can't comment on Ontario (Because of all the salt), but here in Alberta rust-proofing isn't needed.

However, I can't see how getting an undercoating (Not just that oil spray) would hurt - and would be much more permanent.

Also depends how long you keep the car - it shouldn't rust for awhile (if it does at all)...

Originally Posted by TrevorK

I can't comment on Ontario (Because of all the salt), but here in Alberta rust-proofing isn't needed.

However, I can't see how getting an undercoating (Not just that oil spray) would hurt - and would be much more permanent.

Also depends how long you keep the car - it shouldn't rust for awhile (if it does at all)...

Some says that the black undercoat will dry up and crack over time. Salt and water accumulates in the cracks and promotes rusting. However, I can't back that up with evidence myself.

Keeping a car for a long time means > 10 years?

I think it can help, but I don't do it myself. There are lots of things on the rest of the car that will still rust anyway regardless of rustproofing.

Originally Posted by gman

Waste of money and more important waste of time because you are supposed to send the car to check every year.

I used to believe strongly on rust proofing. The more I hear about this, the more I believe that when I sell/trade in the car in 10 years time, I won't be any financially ahead if I rust proof every year.

Originally Posted by Master

I used to believe strongly on rust proofing. The more I hear about this, the more I believe that when I sell/trade in the car in 10 years time, I won't be any financially ahead if I rust proof every year.

I don't mean you need to rust proof it every year. The warranty of the initial rust proof you bought requires you to send in the car to check it out every year.

Originally Posted by gman

I don't mean you need to rust proof it every year. The warranty of the initial rust proof you bought requires you to send in the car to check it out every year.

So, you are rust proofing every 2-3 years then and thus voiding the warranty? I find wal-mart quite cheap, rather than Krown's yearly, costly, and warranty-full service.

I was thinking not to rust proof at all. At the end of 10 years, I might still able trade in the car for around the same price even with rust proofing.

Originally Posted by Master

So, you are rust proofing every 2-3 years then and thus voiding the warranty? I find wal-mart quite cheap, rather than Krown's yearly, costly, and warranty-full service.

I was thinking not to rust proof at all. At the end of 10 years, I might still able trade in the car for around the same price even with rust proofing.

The rust proofing from the dealer gives you certain years of warranty for the rust proofing. They give you a certificate and instruction/coupons. You are supposed to send your car to the rust proofing place (not your dealership) to check it out and repatch if necessary every year. For my Honda, I was asked to go all the way to the west end just for the check up every year (I live in the East end). It was pain of the butt and I never actually did that because I basically needed to take a day off to do so.

I think Wal-mart is similiar.

Originally Posted by Master

Some says that the black undercoat will dry up and crack over time. Salt and water accumulates in the cracks and promotes rusting. However, I can't back that up with evidence myself.

Keeping a car for a long time means > 10 years?

Yeah - it would eventually do that.

However, on my 87 Z28 it has the black undercoating, and I've only had one spot where it's cracked....

Not sure what you guys are talking about.

I have purchased rust proofing (650 I think) for life-time coverage on the car. I am required to visit the home dealership every 2-year for inspection. There are no additional fees, the certificate only indicates a mandatory check every 2-years in order for the coverage to be valid.

The thing is if your get your new car rustproofed and this involves drilling into the body you will void the manufacturers warranty.

Wait till the manu. warranty ends and then get it rustproffed.

Obviously drilling is a bad idea :P

That said, if you know cars in your area are prone to undercarraige rusting, then i'd say go for it! The typical method is an application of thick oil or asphalt-like substance.

Of course, like everything else on your car, you have to maintain it regularly.

Here in vancouver there's no salt and hardly any snow so rustproofing is no use. But if you go into the mountains, all that snow & dirt will chew up your undercarriage in 10 years.

I swear by Krown. They do an extremely thorough job of spraying the vehicle with a fluid that smells like WD40 including removing the tail light assemblies to spray in behind.

One of our family vehicles is a Ford Aerostar minivan - which has been Krown sprayed annually since new. It's 7 yrs old now and NOT A SPECK OF RUST - and Aerostars are notorious rust buckets (we've all seen them on the road with gaping holes in the rocker panels).

The cost of having a vehicle sprayed (depends if it's SUV/car/van etc) is approx $110. If you are a member of the APA you get $10 off.

It is my understanding that the automotive/consumer experts say that if you plan on keeping the vehicle longer than 5 or 6 years, it pays to rust proof.

it depends on what kind of car... i know german cars don't need it done.... but japanese cars they recommend it.... i would get it done either way... spend a few bucks and put it into your big investment.... it'll sure sell at a higher price when you have no rust on the car.