RAC reveals four easy hacks to prevent car-killing rust on your motor…including £3 wonder spray
MOTORISTS can eliminate rust before it even arrives with these four simple steps.
Every car is prone to rust build-up eventually, but the RAC says the “dreaded erosion” can be prevented.
Rust can rear its ugly head after a combination of climate, driving style – such as off-road – age and materials, the RAC says.
Here is how the auto company suggests to prevent it.
RINSE AND DRY
Drivers can follow the very straightforward step of rinsing their motors with water.
This is especially important for those who live by the sea, leaving their vehicle more prone to coastal erosion due to the impacts of salt.
A rinse is also important after driving through inclement weather.
It’ll help prevent dirt and grime settling on the paintwork, which is a precursor to rust.
Finish off with a quick chamois wipe, RAC advises.
WAX ON
Applying wax should protect the paintwork.
Some areas susceptible to build up of moisture and dirt are hard to reach, but in that case a wax injection gun is recommended.
Wax-proof injection kits vary in price with some costing into the hundreds, although it could save on repair costs later.
WONDER SPRAY
The beloved WD40 spray is also the perfect soldier to deploy in a war on rust.
It stands for “water displacement”, so motorists can expect it’ll help remove moisture.
It can also be purchased with a smart straw, making it easier to hit those unreachable spots.
Asda lists a 250ml can for £5.49, while Sainsbury’s sells a 450ml version online for £6, while tool site RS UK sells 100ml for £3.13.
KEEP CAR DRY
Rust can come from moisture accumulation, so keeping the vehicle dry is a natural step forward.
Parking the motor in a garage is one obvious way to achieve this.
But if that’s not possible, a waterproof car cover could be a worthwhile investment.
How to spot rust
The RAC has also revealed the key ways to spot rust.
The four things every driver should look out for are:
- Bubbles are a sign that the paint is losing its grip on the panel beneath it due to moisture and air building up in between. Rust will soon follow.
- Puddles or any water damage on the carpet or boot indicates that the metal below is suffering from rust.
- Body damage and any little dents can eventually lead to rust.
- Irregular paint is one to look out for on cars that had previous owners. If there are spots of paint inconsistent with the original coating, it could have come from a rust repair job. It’s important to then keep on top of things to ensure it doesn’t return.
