Some of the areas of vehicles that are most affected by rust are body panels including doors, fenders, the hood, and tailgate. The reason for this is that they inherently have areas that retain moisture. Depending upon the model of vehicle, there are many other areas that can retain moisture as well. Certain cars retain more moisture just due to the way they are designed, so you have to be especially careful and vigilant with them.
Some factors that you have no control over include the environment in which you live. If you live in a coastal area you are exposed to more salt air for example. If you live in an area where there is snow and ice on the road, the authorities usually use salt on the roads which can result in rust on your car's undercarriage.
When you find yourself in these types of environments you must wash your car more frequently. I recommend washing your car down weekly if you are in an area with salty roads or if you are living so near the coast that you get a salty film on your car.
Here are some overall tips for rust prevention that will go a long way to helping you to prevent rust formation on your vehicle:
1.Keep your car clean and coated with a finish protectant at all times.
2.Keep the underneath of your car rinsed continually when you are in an area where a lot of salt is present as mentioned above.
3.Keep your tires and wheels clean and polished and free from moisture holding material like leaves.
4.Make sure any drainage holes in the frame, floor, and the bottoms of the doors so that any moisture can get out.
5.Always open your doors after washing your car to allow any accumulated water to drain out.
Remember this, rust proofing only helps with new vehicles. If you try to do it on a pre-owned vehicle you may trap dirt and moisture and increase the risk of rust.
Newspaper, which was once widely used when painting cars proved too porous for this purpose and often resulted in paint bleed-through. The poly coating in masking paper offers complete protection for the surfaces it is applied to if it is applied correctly. Masking products provide the maximum penetration resistance from the harsh solvents used in automobile sealers, lacquers, enamel paints and clear coat products. It eliminates dust contamination from fibers and performs well, even during wet sanding. Masking products easily withstand assaults from the powerful exhaust fans used to dry the automobiles after painting.
Masking paper must be carefully applied to all non-painted surfaces and secured in place by masking tape designed for this purpose. These products are available in a variety of widths to fit any job. Narrow tape is best suited for applying around curves. Wide versions are more suitable for quickly covering large areas of the automobile. A variety of tools such as a masking paper dispenser, speed up the job and simplify the application process. Masking dispensers are available as hand-held implements or sophisticated multi-roll dispensers.
Protected surfaces must be completely dry and free of silicones, lubricants, dust, rust and other surface contaminants before masking paper and masking tape are applied. Unless curved surfaces are being masked the tape should not be stretched. Simply lay it on the surface to be protected and apply tape over the edge of the paper. It should overlap both the area to be painted and the area to be taped. Then, using a sharp, single-side razor blade, cut the tape along the line where the two areas should be divided and remove the tape over the area to be painted.
When covering trim, masking paper is not required. Select a masking tape that is wide enough to completely cover the trim components. When taping a door handle, for instance, apply a wide piece of masking tape to the upper area of the handle first, smoothing the tape by hand to prevent any ripples or ridges. Then apply a second piece of tape to cover the lower side of the handle, slightly overlapping the first piece. Apply masking tape to chrome strips, grills, weatherstripping, decorative emblems and antennas in the same manner.
When masking bumpers, 12-inches wide is efficient for the job. Protecting grills is easy when masking paper is extended well inside the engine area to prevent overspraying the radiator and engine. Letters and emblems can present a problem that is easily resolved by using narrow widths (1/4 inch) of tape, though when possible, it is best to remove emblems. Headlights and taillights can also be easily masked using three-to-six-inch sections.
Two layers are recommended for covering windshields. Begin masking a windshield by first applying a running length of masking tape around the windshield trim or the glass itself. Attach masking paper to the lower portion of the windshield and then apply a top piece to the windshield that overlaps the bottom piece. Masking in this way prevents water and debris from running down over the paper onto an uncovered area. Do not remove it until the newly applied paint is dry.
When covering a panel for a two-toned paint job, select paper that is slightly wider than the area to be covered. Apply masking tape to one edge of the paper and apply the taped edge to the car body. Then fold it to the required width and tape it into place.
Both Gregg Hall & Cooper Miller are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Gregg Hall has sinced written about articles on various topics from Lingerie, Desserts and Mortgage. Gregg Hall has over 20 years experience in the automotive industry including managing and owning several dealerships. He recommends these . Gregg Hall's top article generates over 3350000 views. to your Favourites.
Cooper Miller has sinced written about articles on various topics from Foreclosure Help, Guns and Air Filters. Jason has been in the construction equipment and industrial sales business for over 10 years. He owns and operates Red Hill Supply to better serve the automotive and industrial industries. -. Cooper Miller's top article generates over 5400 views. to your Favourites.