There is no specific age at which cars begin to corrode. Wear and tear can degrade protective coatings and expose metal to moisture over time.
Although older models were built before rust-proofing compounds were commonly employed in the production process, the most likely causes of your car rusting are due to other circumstances.
When iron combines with oxygen and water, rust forms. The oxidising appears as a reddish-brown coat, which might cause corrosion.
This type of damage typically occurs in automobiles as a result of a combination of factors:
- Consistent exposure to rain, sleet, and snow increases the likelihood of moisture oxidising with metals on your vehicle. Salts used to grit icy roads can also hasten the corrosion process, and greater temperatures are associated with higher rates of corrosion.
- Paintwork and protective coatings can suffer from wear and tear over time. When metalwork is exposed to moisture, it rusts and corrodes.
- Because older cars were typically built without non-reactive coatings, they were more prone to rusting. Arch liners are also used in newer cars to protect the wheel wells.
- If you frequently drive off-road or through puddles, you may be increasing the danger of corrosion.
If you’re looking to buy a car and notice signs of rust you should ask yourself a few important questions before deciding whether to part with your cash.
Fortunately, there are a few things you can do to prevent rust and corrosion:
- If you live near the sea or have been driving in bad weather, give your car a short rinse with water. A quick hose down can keep the dirt and grime of the day from accumulating on your paintwork and eventually rusting it. Just make sure to finish with a quick chamois rub over.
- A application of wax will offer a layer of protection to your paintwork. You can also use a wax injection gun to reach regions where moisture is prone to accumulate over time.
- WD40 or similar products are a fantastic aid in the fight against rust and corrosion. Using a smart straw to apply the solution can assist you in extracting moisture from hinges, joints, and other difficult-to-reach regions.
- Parking your car in a garage will help protect it from the elements, but you may want to go a step further to keep it rust-free. After parking your automobile in a garage, you can use a dehumidifier to remove any moisture from the air.