How to Protect Your Car from Rust
Whether your car is 20 years old or straight out of the showroom, it is vulnerable to rust. Rust is not only unsightly, but also dangerous if it is not dealt with promptly. This is because rust can decay your car’s bodywork over time and therefore weaken the metal so that it may not hold up during a collision.
Scary right? So how can you ensure this doesn’t happen? If you’re looking for easy ways to rust-proof your car, you’re in the right place! Follow the steps in this handy WD-40® guide below and you’ll be good to go.
Things you will need
Soapy water
Hose
Car wax
Clean cloth
WD-40® Multi-Purpose Product
Step 1
Wash Your Car Effectively
Washing your car regularly could save your life. Removing the natural build-up of dirt, dust and grime from your car is an essential first step to rust prevention. If left to fester, this build up could damage the protective layer of paint on the car, chipping it away and leaving the metallic exterior susceptible to rust. So, before taking any other steps, ensure you wash your car at least once a month with warm soapy water to keep your paintwork clean and clear.
Step 2
Inspect Your Car Often
Once you have started a regular maintenance routine, it’s important to check for any signs of rust frequently. Examining your cars paint can help to identify risks before they become real issues, so keep an eye out for flaking paint, bumps, scratches or dents. Areas where the paintwork has lifted from the exterior metal are more sensitive to humidity and water corrosion, which can lead to rusting. If in doubt – check to see if the paint is scraping off. If it is, you will need to have the area re-painted.
Step 3
Be Extra Cautious During the Winter Months
As winter in the UK is often wet and cold, rust prevention is essential. You should try to keep your car covered when left for longer periods of time outdoors to avoid rust-causing weather conditions. You should also wash your car more frequently during snowy/icy periods, as the grit used to keep roads safe can potentially cause serious damage to your tires and bodywork if it is not removed safely.
Step 4
Use A Wax to Protect Paintwork From Rust
Adding a layer of wax to your car’s bodywork creates a barrier between the paintwork and the elements. This protective coat will ensure that your car will remain well maintained, so the paint won’t flake off and cause further issues. You should aim to wax your car twice per year; however, it wouldn’t hurt to do it more than that. Think of it as leave in conditioner for your car!
Step 5
Spray Some WD-40®
WD-40® Multi–Purpose Product can help to maintain your car’s bodywork. Simply spray a layer onto your car after each wash, buff in with a soft, clean cloth and wipe away any excess. This will help to remove leftover grease and grime from your car and will also create a water repellent protective barrier against rust and corrosion.
We hope this article helped you create a great maintenance routine! Now your car is rust free and ready to roll, why not check out some of our previous blogs to see what other ideas WD-40® can inspire? Hint: there are lots of them! And if you want to improve your car further, check out our full car maintenance guide.
The uses shown and described for WD-40 Multi-Use Product were provided to WD-40 Company by the users themselves. These uses haven’t been tested by WD-40 Company and do not constitute a recommendation of suggestion for use by WD-40 Company. Common sense should be exercised whenever using WD-40 Company products. Always follow the instructions and take heed of any warnings printed on the packaging.
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