Rust Proofing Your Car Against Florida Weather

June 20, 2020
AUTS - Rustproofing Your Car

If you live along the coast, you know keeping your car rust free is a constant battle. From rain storms and high humidity to salty air and salty water, there are a lot of culprits that can cause your car to rust. Fortunately, it’s not a losing battle to keep your car rust-free in Florida.Taking steps to rust-proof your car will save you a lot of time and money in the long run, especially if you plan to sell or trade-in your vehicle later on. Rust proofing can also be much less expensive than car rust repair, so it’s worth the effort and cost to protect your car against rust now instead of dealing with repairs later on.

What Causes Rust on Cars?

Rust is the more common term for oxidation, or the breakdown of iron-based metals. Oxygen in the air reacts with the surface molecules in iron, creating iron oxide. Humidity and salt can speed up the oxidation process. With long enough exposure to the elements, a car will rust away into nothing.With the exception of your car’s underbody, most of the car’s body is protected against rust thanks to layers of primer, paint, and clear coat. That’s why body scratches need to be repaired quickly since they expose the metal underneath to the elements which can turn into rust and spread like wildfire until an entire body panel winds up needing to be replaced.The speed which rust can attack your car and spread is different depending on which metals have been added to the non-plastic body components in your vehicle. These effects are accelerated when exposed to salt water—an inescapable fact of life for those living along the Florida coast.

Signs of Rust Damage on Your Car

The earlier you can catch car rust, the easier and less expensive it will be to fix the damage. In addition to the cost of repair, car rust can also greatly depreciate the resale value of your car, which means catching rust early can save you a lot of money in the long run when the time comes to sell or trade-in your ride.In addition to seeing rust, here are some of the early signs to look for that might indicate car rust:

  • Chipped Paint – Although chipped paint itself doesn’t mean there’s rust, chipped paint can allow moisture to permeate the metal and cause small spots for rust to take hold.
  • Scratches – Similar to chipped paint, scratches might also not necessarily mean the oxidation process has started but they certainly improve the odds of rust damage later on.
  • Blistering Paint – Unlike chips and scratches, paint blisters can indicate that rust has already begun to develop. Look for rust-colored water spots near any paint blisters you find to confirm your suspicion of rust damage.

How to Prevent Car Rust

Rust is a concern, for sure, but it doesn’t have to be if you take some easy steps. With a little bit of effort, and maybe a small investment of money, you can keep your car rust-free and looking good for all to admire.

Keep Your Ride Clean

Dirt and grime build-up on your vehicle can accelerate the rusting process, or cause nicks and scratches where the steel and oxygen can react. Cleaning your car regularly and ensuring it's free of exterior dirt and grime will help stop rust before it starts.

Keep Your Car Waxed

Getting a car wax service or regularly waxing your car at home can help prevent rust from taking hold. Maintaining the paint's finish can protect your vehicle from oxidation, and you’ll definitely appreciate the deep, long-lasting shine of a freshly waxed car.

Watch Out for Scratches and Dents

When cleaning your car, always check for the signs of damage where oxidation can begin. Be sure to check inside the doors, in the wheel wells, in drain holes in the body panels and doors—everywhere. Keeping a close eye out for rust can help you catch and stop it before it does serious damage to your vehicle.

Add an Extra Layer of Protection

Prevention and maintenance are the best defenses against car rust, but there’s no greater form of prevention than paint protection film or a vinyl car wrap. These wraps and films provide an extra layer of protection against dings, scuffs, scratches, and other minor body damage your car is subjected to on a daily basis.Don’t let your hot ride become a rust bucket—contact Auto Super Shield to learn more about our paint protection film and luxury vinyl car wrap products. Contact us online or call (561) 367-0101 to learn more about the benefits of paint protection film and vinyl car wrap and how they can maintain the appearance, value, and integrity of your vehicle.

TALK TO US

About how we can help with your vehicles specific needs.

Contact us

Locations We Serve

Made with my love by Smashed Media