How to Prevent Rust

There are few things more disappointing than seeing that first spot of rust on your beloved vehicle.

Your car was a large investment, and you tried to keep it nice for as long as you could. Unfortunately, the Northeast Ohio winters that brought the icy (and then brine/salt-covered) roads got the best of your vehicle. It’s hard to avoid the brine and salt – you need to get places, and you’d like to get to those places safely, so brine and salt is the best option. But, as it goes, both are detrimental to your car’s body, undercarriage, suspension,  and basically anything that can corrode or rust on your vehicle.

So, what can you do to prevent rust on your car? Check out our list to see how to help prevent rust on your car:

1. Wash your car frequently.

One of the easiest ways to help prevent rust on your car is to wash the salt off of your car and the underside of your car as frequently as possible. Running your car through a car wash that also has an underbody spray can take the salt off and help to prevent the rusting process.

2. Use baking soda when washing your wheels and undercarriage.

You may elect to use baking soda in addition to automotive soap when washing your car’s wheels and undercarriage. Baking soda can help to neutralize the effect that salt can have on your vehicle. If you decide to use this option, you should only need one tablespoon in conjunction with your automotive soap and water mixture.

3. Wax your car.

Putting a coat of wax on your car before wintertime gives the paint an extra layer of protection from the damaging effects of the salt. Not only can waxing your car help prevent rusting, but it can also help prevent your paint from fading.

4. Check the drain holes.

Your car’s rocker panels and doors may have drain holes at the bottom of them to drain out rainwater. Check these every once in a while to make sure that they are clear so they can provide a means for clearing water from your vehicle. When the drains are full, water can sit and cause rust. If these drains are full, you can use a pipe cleaner or a Q-Tip to clear the blockage.

Finding rust on your car is the worst! Luckily, there are ways, like those listed above, to help prevent rust on your vehicle.

At Rad Air, we’re big on cars. If you need any help with your vehicle, get in touch with us – we’re always happy to help!