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What can I do to prevent the spread of this rust?

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by Joe Wall, Aug 7, 2021.

  1. Joe Wall

    Joe Wall Member

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    I noticed a spot of rust developing. Any advice to cover this up and prevent the spread? There is salt that is put down in the winter but it is summer and find it interesting that I just noticed the rust. Thanks!
     

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  2. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    You can try getting some touch up paint and painting that area over. Maybe sand it a little before applying the touchup paint
     
  3. rjparker

    rjparker Tu Humilde Sirviente

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    Need to find out if its coming from the back side. The bubbling is usually an indication of back to front corrosion. If it is, the best move is a body shop where they remove all rust-through and marginal metal, use a rust converter on remaining surface rust along the back of that panel and either patch in a new piece of metal or a piece from a junk car. Then smooth with filler, prime and paint.

    If you are a diy'er or die guy, at least get a good pro rust converter that can spray in tight rear channels like Eastwood sells.

    Eastwood Internal Chassis Frame Black Coating 14 oz with Spray Nozzle | eBay


    Tips on the Eastwood product use:

    Use a respirator and gloves!

    Tape a length of wire to the hose so you can use product without wasting it, move the tube fast for even spray. Also make sure the tube is on firm at the can attachment. If not on tightly it will spray material all over the can.

    Rinse the tube out with brake cleaner and make a second pass if desired.
     
    #3 rjparker, Aug 7, 2021
    Last edited: Aug 7, 2021
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  4. Leadfoot J. McCoalroller

    Leadfoot J. McCoalroller Senior Member

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    Rust never sleeps. Grind or cut off any rust you find. Replace the area with some new metal, finesse it with plastic filler & paint it well.

    If you're seeing rust on that part of the car, start looking for it elsewhere before you commit to fixing any. It might already be time to verify the exit locations and start planning ahead, so to speak.
     
  5. PriusCamper

    PriusCamper Senior Member

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    "One such device is an electronic rust proof protection system. This little device can be easily installed by a mechanic, and works by issuing a weak electric current throughout the metal of the vehicle. This current interferes with the charge between the metal and oxygen, thus stopping rust from forming. These devices are often offered by dealerships, or can be bought at an automobile retail store. Electronic rust protection has received mixed reviews from customers. While many will enthuse about its capabilities, there seem to be an equal (if not larger) segment who claim the process is overpriced and ineffective." The Truth about Electronic Rust Protection
     
  6. adrian-gregory

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    Once you establish how bad and where it originates from I have found Bilt and Hamber products very good. Such as Hydrate 80. From what i have seen you wont stop rust unless you chop it all out, but with stuff like Hydrate 80 correctly applied I have found you can really slow it down.
     
  7. bat4255

    bat4255 2017 Prius v #2 and 2008 Gen II #2

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    I found when rust starts, the vehicle has 3-5 yrs. of life left of being owned by me.

    The money pit begins.
     
  8. rjparker

    rjparker Tu Humilde Sirviente

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    I used to design cathodic protection systems used on pipelines and ships. They require a sacrificial anode and heavy electrical currents 24x7 to work and the automotive versions do little but sacrifice your wallet.

    Eastwood's Rust Encapsulators do work and are ideal for concealed spaces like frame rails and backs of panels. It will convert rust and encapsulate the area against moisture and oxygen. With a tar like buildup. For the finished side that should match existing work, traditional remove, fill and refinish techniques are still the solution. Most get the fill and refinish part but many forget the other side.
     
  9. Joe Wall

    Joe Wall Member

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    Man I'm so disappointed only has 93k 2009 hoping it's not as bad as I thought. Hoping it lasts 300-400k miles.
     
  10. Leadfoot J. McCoalroller

    Leadfoot J. McCoalroller Senior Member

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    At 80k miles per year, it will.

    Time was always the real killer of these cars.
     
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  11. edthefox5

    edthefox5 Senior Member

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    I would find an indie mechanic and see if they will allow you to go under the car for an inspection when its on a lift as I think you may have alot more to worry about under the car than on the pretty side of the car. Usually if the rockers and that area are rotten its a disaster under the car.
    All the $ is underneath. If you ever get the chance to go under the car take pictures of everything.
     
  12. Another

    Another Senior Member

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  13. sam spade 2

    sam spade 2 Senior Member

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    It certainly will last that long.......IF you put enough repair money into it.
    There might not be much of the body left by that time though.
    It is what it IS. No sense in fretting over it.
     
  14. Joe Wall

    Joe Wall Member

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    Heres some other pics i cpuld get
     

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  15. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    upload_2021-8-8_9-21-37.png
    I saw not as bad but dismayingly similar rust bloom on our 2010's suspension. Brushed the loose stuff, then liberally brush-coated everything I could get to, with full-strength boiled linseed oil. It's put up a pretty good argument against the "rust never sleeps" credo, so far.

    I think Toyota's doing next-to-zero rust protection on the suspension components, ditto for the nuts and bolts.

    This shot of ours was taken April of 2015:

    upload_2021-8-8_9-34-14.png
    (Did first app then, and one since, about 3 years on.)

    And this morning:

    CFE90247-EDD0-47CC-AA3A-A1E43B2AD0FA.jpeg

    Addendum: kudos to @tvpierce (IIRC) for clueing me in about boiled linseed oil rust proofing.
     
    #15 Mendel Leisk, Aug 8, 2021
    Last edited: Aug 8, 2021
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  16. rjparker

    rjparker Tu Humilde Sirviente

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    What matters is the inside of the panels where you see rust on the outside. Check both sides of the vehicle.
     
  17. PriusCamper

    PriusCamper Senior Member

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    Yea rust protection is needed for too small of a regional market to worry about it... But in thinking about this discussion for more than a day now it seems to me that in your area there's going to be an auto body detailer who specialises in slowing the advancement of rust and will also spray undercoat... Seems if you did this regularly, as well as got a hose attachment so you could easily rinse the underside of your car whenever the salty slush is especially bad you'll probably do pretty well for a while.
     
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  18. sam spade 2

    sam spade 2 Senior Member

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    All rust is not created equal.
    A bit of rust on frame members and exhaust pipes is NOT something you should worry about.
    And if you can live with driving a car that looks less than perfect, you should not worry about body rust either.

    But somehow I suspect that you will be ignoring this advice and pissing away time and money on something inconsequential.

    You are talking about an OLD car here. It won't look like new forever.
    If all of that REALLY bothers you, forget your original objective and trade it in.......NOW.
     
  19. Albert Barbuto

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    I second the "boiled linseed oil". Works fantastic IF applied before rust becomes bad. It dries somewhat glossy, when first applied. Easy, and relaxing to brush on...
     

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  20. bat4255

    bat4255 2017 Prius v #2 and 2008 Gen II #2

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    Boiled Linseed Oil works great on garden tools, hand tools, cast iron, etc. so I would think it would also work great on cars