How To Prevent Car Rust

Rust is one of the most destructive things that can affect your vehicle, as it can easily and quickly eat its way through a significant portion of your vehicle's metal body. Rust spreads much like a disease, and as such, it needs to be addressed and removed as soon as it appears. However, the best way to remove rust is to take steps to prevent it from developing in the first place: fortunately, there are a few simple rust protection steps you can take to protect your vehicle.

Regular Cleaning

The simplest, yet one of the most effective things that you can do to greatly decrease the risk of rust developing on your vehicle is to keep it clean. Dirt, grime and other materials that become stuck on your vehicle can hold onto moisture and wear away the paint and protective coating on your vehicle. Regular washing can remove these materials before they can cause damage, and you should apply wax on top of the newly cleaned surface to create a clear-coat protective layer over the body of your vehicle. You should also pay particular attention to the bottom of your vehicle, which can hold onto moisture and dirt unseen. Going through a car wash or using a hose at home is usually enough to remove most dirt and grime.

Paint Repair

Another thing to keep in mind is the fact that any sort of damage to your paint can open up the metal underbody of your vehicle to the elements, making it more likely for rust to set in. This means that you should stay vigilant to see if there is any damage to your paint job. Any sort of marring, even the smallest of scratches, needs to be addressed and covered up with a fresh coat of paint straight away to ensure that rust never has the chance to develop.

Floor Mats

Though it may seem counterintuitive, the floor of your vehicle is also a prime location for rust to take hold, especially if you live in a climate that has particularly harsh winters. Salt and snow can mix together on the floor of your vehicle and seep through the mats into the metal underbody. In order to prevent this from happening, you should install a set of rubber floor mats and clean them out regularly throughout the winter to ensure that the mixture of salt and snow does not manage to damage your vehicle from the inside out.