There is something exhilarating about the thought of the open road, warm summer weather, and the sense of freedom that accompanies a holiday road trip. For most people, the most pressing matter on their mind is not rust protection, or what they can do to keep rust from forming on their vehicle as they blast through the countryside on their epic adventure. Even if rust-proofing is not on the top of the priority list, it should be addressed because a little prevention goes a long way against rust, and neglecting the basics will lead to disaster! How can you rust-proof your car for your holiday getaway?
Inspect Before You Leave
Mark from Preserve Protect says “Before any major holiday adventure, a thorough vehicle inspection should be mandatory to ensure the safety of those on board. While you are at it, look for rust damage and take care to look in these specific areas”.
- Wheel Arches
Due to the constant onslaught of water, dirt, salt, and other elements, the wheel arches are extremely susceptible to rust damage.
- Underside of Body Panels
This is another vulnerable spot due to the accumulation of dirt, moisture, and grime. Be sure to look under the body panels for signs of rust and corrosion.
- Axles and Exhaust
As all metal inevitably does, rust forms where moisture, metal, and oxygen meet. Check the exhaust and axles for signs of corrosion to make sure your holiday travels go off without a hitch.
Do Rust Repair and Coat the Underbelly Before Leaving
It is highly recommended to fix any problem areas that you find, where you can see rust start to damage components of the car. Even if it is only the presence of surface rust, you should take the necessary precautions to fix the problem before it starts.
You can either take your vehicle to a shop to have them repair the rust and install an undercoating to protect it from further damage or you can use DIY rust converters and rust-proofing products to remove the rust and put a protective coating on the underside of your vehicle yourself.
On The Road, Keep Your Vehicle Clean
This may not be possible for every road trip but the cleaner you can keep your vehicle, the better. Road salt and grime from the highways can really do extensive damage to your body panels and other components and by keeping your car as clean and dry as possible, you are preventing any more unnecessary rust problems for yourself in the future.
Park In Appropriate Places to Avoid Corrosion
Where you let your car sit has a lot to do with the type of rust damage it accumulates over time. Park in clean and dry places and try to avoid corrosive elements like salt.
Inspect After Your Road Trip Is Complete
When you are all home safe and sound after the best holiday trip of your life, do another inspection to see if there has been any damage or changes to the car. If you notice any major changes, or if you didn’t have the time to do the rust removal and treatment before you left, do them now so that you are prepared and rust-free for the next holiday adventure!
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