Moving to beach. Ideas how to keep car from rusting?

[rhythmM]

Thanks for all the tips and advice guys. Sounds like it won't be that bad at all. I'm moving to Newport Beach but my family is in San Diego, I'll be sure to make regular visits to get my car washed and apply sealant.

[billwot]

I live 2 hours from NC beaches, and spend as much time at the beach as possible. I have always noticed there seeems to be an abundance of well-preserved rust-free older cars along the coast.

But When I lived in the frozen wasteland (Ohio), a rust-free 5 year old car was pretty rare.

[5thGenOwner]

Originally Posted by DuMa

never heard of cars rusting in california. even those who live right on the coast. socal does not get nearly enough precipitation or sea breezes to bring in the salt from the ocean.

Yep, Cali-cars are some of the most desirable, specifically because they don't rust.

[dnieves]

Originally Posted by Tcoat

Wash it periodically.
These are not 1985 K cars that rusted through in 5 years.
They are designed and built in Japan and it is nothing but coastal environment for crying out loud.

Believe me coastal has nothing on Canada salt roads for 5 months a year and I am not worried about rust.

True, Japan is surrounded by the Pacific Ocean BUT:


1. Mazdas are Japanese and rust immediately (welds and around the wheels are the most problematic).
2. The Japanese trade in their cars at 3 and five years rather than spend 100's-1000-s on inspections so rust is not an issue (more info: http://www.nytimes.com/1993/09/12/wo...-like-new.html).

[Braces]

Could the levels of humidity have anything to do with it? Lower humidity in CA compared to the rust states (Florida, etc). I had a vehicle parked next to the beach in Destin, FL that essentially rusted completely.

[86geek]

Originally Posted by rhythmM

Thanks for all the tips and advice guys. Sounds like it won't be that bad at all. I'm moving to Newport Beach but my family is in San Diego, I'll be sure to make regular visits to get my car washed and apply sealant.

Get your car Opticoat and call it a day. Wash n wax often to remove the salt.

I'm on Oahu and you wanna talk about rust...LOL!

[cycleboy]

I used to live a mile from the Pacific and my Xterra is showing a little rust after 16+ years.

I now live about 5 miles inland as the crow flies and drive the FR-S along the coast for about 15 miles twice a day at least 3, sometimes 5 days a week. Windshield will get noticeable salt on it when the surf is big. The window pillars behind the mirrors both have a little rust, but I attribute it to design flaw more than the ocean. The rest of the car is just fine and it's been doing this drive for 3 years.

As others have said, I hear much worse about cars in the snowy climes due to the salted roads.

[Qwimby1]

I would wash the engine frequently. Salt air can cause the nuts, bolts and fittings to grow an ugly coat of corrosion. You can also put a small amount of wax on them to prevent. I know the Florida climate is hell on brass, not even close to the water. Musicians with brass instruments have trouble protecting them. I once saw a Ferrari which had been under a heavy cover and located about a hundred feet from the gulf in Florida. It had rust everywhere, even little steel things in the interior. I suspect it wasn't a proper cover and just trapped moisture underneath.