Rust formation harms the look, resale value, and overall performance of cars. For tips on how to keep rust from spreading on your vehicle, read this post by Oils RGV in Mission.

Most of today's vehicles are made of steel, a strong, easy-to-weld, and cost-effective metal. Despite all its advantages, steel has a fundamental flaw: it rusts. But how come a pristine car becomes an old abandoned rust bucket in a barn? And most importantly, how can you keep rust from spreading on your car? To answer such questions, keep reading this post by Oils RGV!

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But First, What Is Rust?

Before looking into how you can keep your car oxidation-free, let's review what rust is in the first place. In simple terms, rust is a chemical reaction that occurs when the metal comes in contact with moisture and oxygen. All metals oxidize, but as opposed to copper or aluminum, rust doesn't form a protective layer in steel. In fact, the steel flakes off to expose the bare metal underneath, which then begins to flake off as well. This process keeps going until all the steel becomes weak and thin.

How Do Cars Rust?

The way rust affects vehicles depends on factors such as climate and car maintenance. For instance, vehicles up north are more prone to rust due to the salt dumped on the asphalt to de-ice the roads. Likewise, living near the sea exposes the car's metal to the breeze's salt, a catalyst for rust. Automakers are well aware of rust formation in cars. That is why they've been counteracting this issue for years. Nowadays, most cars' steel is treated with rust-resistant coatings. Also, paint systems are a barrier between the steel underneath and the moisture. Despite these measures, some abrasive impurities can scratch or chip the paint. As you can probably tell, any paint crack exposes the bare metal to moisture. Thus, it's crucial to protect the paint.

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How to Keep Rust From Spreading

Watch Out for Signs of Rust

The first thing you can do to prevent rust from spreading throughout your car is to inspect it regularly. To start, open all the doors and check their sills and bottom edges to see if there's rust forming down there. If no reddish spots or pieces are flaking off, move on to look for tiny bubbles underneath the paint. If you find bubbles, chances are there's rust formation underneath the paint, so be weary of them. Lastly, have the car's undercarriage checked anytime you take it to the shop for service.

Wash Your Car Regularly

A regular car wash is also vital to keep it rust-free for far longer. As mentioned before, some elements can chip or damage the paint. Things like mud, tree sap, and bird poop are abrasive elements that, if not removed, can take a toll on your car's paint. Hence the importance of washing your car about once every month. Wipe your car from top to bottom using microfiber towels and a pressure washer for an effective wash. Also, have it washed by a professional who can remove salts and grime from the underbody at least twice a year. This way, you'll keep your car looking good all year round while avoiding rust formation.

Wax Your Car

Finally, wax your car at least twice a year. Besides adding a gloss to the paint, wax protects it against UV rays and dirt. As if that were not enough, wax is water-repellent, which means any rain or road spray will run off a waxed bodywork. As you may guess, wax's hydrophobic nature helps prevent rust formation. All that being said, pay attention to the waxing of your car.

Don't let corrosion ruin your vehicle's appearance, performance, and resale value. Instead, keep rust from spreading on your car by spraying it with MP Metal Protector. To obtain this and other advanced products for your rig, visit AMSOIL's online store or Oils RGV in Mission at (956) 458-9399 anytime.