Protecting your vehicles against the continuous and unending attack of corrosion and rust can be a challenge, particularly in a country like the UK, where the driving conditions and weather contribute to the severity of the damage done by rust every year. For off-road vehicles, it is highly recommended that rust-proofing measures are taken to limit rust damage and protect the underside from the buildup of iron oxide and other types of corrosion.
How to Keep Your Adventure Rig Rust-Free
Source: autoevolution.com
Metal surfaces combined with exposure to the elements are a perfect recipe for rust and corrosion. What starts as minimal surface rust can eventually become a major structural and safety issue if left unattended. That is why proper and thorough rust prevention measures should be taken to protect your vehicle and those who travel in it. How can you keep your vehicle rust-free?
Option 1: DIY Kits and Cleaning
Remove Rust from Undercarriage
According to Mark from Preserve Protect “The first step to protecting your vehicle from rust is to remove any of the existing, flaky rust from the underside, making it possible to later sand and apply new coatings.” Be sure to wear gloves and glasses while doing this. This type of rust can easily be removed with a wire brush. Also, be careful not to inhale any rust particles and dust as it can be hazardous to your health.
Clean Metal Surface
Source: carfax.com
There are many degreaser options available on the market that will help you properly clean the surface once all the flaky surface rust is gone. Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions and take your time to do this step thoroughly, making sure that the surface that you apply it to is clean and dry.
Sand Metal Surface
Sanding the surface of the metal will remove the remaining surface rust and corrosion. This gives you the cleanest possible surface to apply your rust converter and rust prevention treatments. Sanding can be done with an orbital sander or by hand, starting with coarse-grit sandpaper and moving to finer grits as the surface is cleaned.
Use Rust Converter
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Rust converters will complete the preparation of the surface by converting any rust that remains after the cleaning and sanding into a stable compound that can treated with a rust prevention product without compromising it. These products are easy to apply but need to be allowed to dry fully before moving on to the next step of the process.
Apply Rust Prevention Treatment
Finally, rust prevention products can be applied to your rust-free metal surfaces. There are a range of products that can be used in this phase, and you will need to find the right product for your vehicle. Always follow the instructions when applying rust prevention to maximize its utility and performance. When done properly, rust prevention treatments should last up to 25 years.
Option 2: Use a Professional Rust Treatment Service
Source: endrust.com.au
Alternatively, you can also use a professional rust treatment service that will do all the work for you, ensuring that your vehicle is prepared to handle the road and remain rust-free for years to come. Many companies can provide full rust treatments in as little as a single day, sometimes two, depending on the treatments needed.
Keep Your Adventure Rig Rust Free
Whether you choose to remove the loose rust yourself or get a professional service to apply the rust remover, protecting your undercarriage and painted surfaces from rust and corrosion is an investment worth making.
