Dealer Rustproofing a good idea?

[JBezugs]

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!

[scottman]

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

[Cole]

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.

[Rakshaa]

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

[StraightOuttaCanadaEh]

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

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by JBezugs

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!

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.

[JBezugs]

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.

[daskaman]

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

[bass_114]

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

[7 skulls]

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.

[guybo]

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

[Lorico]

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.