Rust Proofing compared to Ziebart

I've never understood this obsession with teflon; it seems to be all a big advertising game and the only winner is Dupont.. As a protective coating, it's next to useless- teflon is in the form of particles, not a continuous coating, so there will be holes and gaps, which should make you wonder how in the world it is supposed to prevent rust? Additionally, even as a dirt repellent treatment, if teflon is so non-stick, how the heck is it made to stick to your vehicle and remain permanent? Everyone has had one of those teflon coated frying pans, and they're great for the first few uses, and then all the teflon starts peeling off and the pan is useless.. Same thing will happen to your car and the only one laughing all the way to the bank will be your dealer..

 

When I placed my order for my future Prius, I did ask my dealer of what he thought about teflon undercoating, since I live in the East Coast and am worried about snow/salt on the roads. He basically told me that cars nowadays which are sold in snowy areas are factory coated and are much more rust resistant than they used to be. He told me that I don't need to get that extra option on this Prius. Pretty honest eh? So ya, I say don't get it and if you're worried about salt damage to the undercarriage, just hose it off weekly during the snowy season.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(vinny @ Jul 20 2006, 11:42 AM) [snapback]289395[/snapback]</div>

I live in the Salt capital of the West. My dealer said that stuff was totally useless add ons. He suggested that if I want to protect my car, to put a clearbra on it, but that was about it.

 

I'm still amazed at the amount of people who by this crap. My brother inlaw owns a Ziebart in MD. What a racket. In the 9 years he has owned the place I have not had one of my cars done. You know why??? Its not needed. The undercoatings from the factorys the last 10-12 years from the factory are fine. And worse yet, they can seal any corrosion in.

 

There's a term for stuff like this: Snake Oil

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Vagabond @ Jul 20 2006, 03:27 PM) [snapback]289516[/snapback]</div>

On a sidenote, I have some swampland for sale if anyone is interested....

 

So here is the thing. READ YOUR TOYOTA WARENTEE INFO. The rust warrentee does NOT cover salt or brine. The area in which you live effects the warrentee. They are spraying 20 tons of brine salt per mile in the mid west region and toyota does not cover the rust that develops. 5 years is exactly how long it takes for a new car to rust in the midwest region. That is why the rust perferation warrentee is 5 years from toyota. It cost 195.00 for rust proofing the body cavity and that ads 10 years to the warentee. The company I researched is AUTOARMOUR and Wilson toyota of Ames, Ia installs this with the teflon paint protection package for 495.00 10 years for under 500.00.
I am sold on it because a service tech there has a 1978 blazer that is still rust free after he had the body treated.
Really, a rust free 1978 chevy blazer....

 

When I brought home my new Prius.
I put it up on my car lift.
I put a bunch of clear coat on everything that looked to be bare metal.
Just rattle can stuff, rustoleum or duplicolor.
Mostly on bolts, and suspension pieces.
Just last weekend I put it up in the air again after another gruelling Buffalo NY winter.
Here they put down salt most every day.
Car looked good underneath, only a few spots of surface rust on a few nuts and bolts. I blew away another couple cans of clear on all areas.

I also go to the car wash regularly and pay the extra for the chassis bath to get the salt cleaned off.

I was really impressed how good the underside still looked.

See how it looks in a couple more years................

 

The dealer tried to sell me an electronic rust protector, it hooks to the battery and "electrifies" the car to prevent rust. It comes with a 10-year warranty. I asked if that was a 10-year rust perforation warranty and it wasn't - the warranty only covered the electronic rust protector! It was in a package with scotchguarded seats, and a super-duper wipe-on paint sealant - all for only $1500 !! ...a great deal (for the dealer)

 

Did you ask the owner of the '78 Blazer how often he washes and waxes it?

Rustproofing often does more harm than good, both by plugging up the manufacturer's drain holes and creating new entry points for water.

The paint protectant was a complete waste of money. Sorry.

 

Has anybody had trouble with a Prius rusting? If