Dealer Rustproofing a good idea?
 

Hello fellow Canucks,

I'm sure this has been beat to death before, but I've done my searching on the forums and cannot really find a concise answer. So, here goes: While putting in the order for my BRZ, the dealer offered me a permanent (wax-based, IIRC) rustproofing for around 750 bucks. I told them I would consider it. So now I am here, considering it.

I know that the wax based solution from them involves no drilling, and has a lifetime warranty, which is good. But I'm debating if its worth it. Here is my situation:

- Drive around 25000 kms per year, and will be driving the car all-year-round.
- Live in Thornhill (Vaughan) and commute into Toronto every day, so plenty of salt on the roads for sure.
- Planning to keep the car for a long time.

I know that the cars come from the factory with an anti-corrosion coating on the underside of the vehicle, and that the body panels are dual-side galvanized steel. (Check here for reference, click on the Exterior tab) So, should I even worry about any kind of undercoating at all? I've often heard that regular washes at a touch-less wash with the undercarriage spray (around twice a month) will help with keeping the car minty.

Krown is out of the question because drilling holes throughout the entire car is no-bueno.

Thanks! :thumbup:

protect your investment if your going to drive it in the winter...

Just wash the car regularly at a place that can do the undercarriage. I have no rust proofing and the only rust is on untreated bolts. That's two full winters of driving, too.

I agree with @Cole - I'm 3 winters in, daily driving for 100k kms now and no rust underneath or elsewhere. Just wash regularly and keep the salt off :)

I got it, I thought why not. But it's a sloppy job. Tons of overspray. They missed some sports and covered other spots that were supposed to be left alone, like the suspension moving parts

You actually answered yourself with pretty much my stock reply. Modern car are not the same as a 1982 Omni that will rust away in 4 years. All car rust eventually but ours will take a long long time as is.

Thanks for all of your input guys, between this, my own reasoning against it, and some snooping around the web, I've decided not to take the bait.

I'd recommend the following

-Don't pay dealer, 700 bucks gives you around 6 years of annual rustproofing
-Drill holes, ensures a proper job is done and full application

Had mine done with Krown guy used factory access points then drilled only 2 holes total to do the rear inner fenders, otherwise he said you can do no holes and cover 98%of the car

I had it done on both my current vehicles at the same toyota dealer. One time application only with what looks like a yellowish, resin or wax in the engine compartment and black coating on the frame. My Frs is not winter driven but my 08 Tundra certainly is. I plan on keeping my vehicles until fall apart so I found that the dealer applied stuff (they did an excellent job) gave me a head start on my own rust prevention program.
I get underneath every spring and hose the sand/salt out of there, let it dry, then hit any rust spot with Rust Check (green can). My frame looks great, better than a 4 year old chevy that has been krowned yearly.
Have a look at a vehicle they have done and see what sort of job they did. Plus lifetime warranty. Rust never sleeps, unfortunately.

[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZCT3jm1A-5U"]Seinfeld - The Dealership - YouTube[/ame]

Krown is amazing. Compare a 10 year old car to another 10 year old krowned sprayed car and you will be amazed. They drill holes for a reason.