Metal, by way of a chemical reaction, rusts. To prevent this from happening, a car’s metal parts are being painted. While the paint job provides the good looks of the vehicle, the primary function is to protect the metal from corroding.
Essentially, drivers should try to keep their vehicles as dry as possible. A covered car port, allowing for the vehicle to dry after rain, would be a valuable asset to protect the car. To allow for water to quickly run off the car’s surfaces, waxing the vehicle is recommended. The thin layer of wax not only covers the paint but is also enables the water to rinse off the surface faster.
When objects are thrown up by other vehicles, hitting your car, the paint may chip. The damage may be severe enough to crack the paint, chipping it off, thus exposing the metal to the elements. In such a case, the spot where the paint has chipped should be fixed. Workshops may offer repair kits. Imagine them like markers you get in a stationary shop. However, as the paint will not have been exposed to sun and rain, the colour will not always match, hence these spots will be easily identifiable. If the stone chips are too severe, painting an entire panel is recommended.
Components of the undercarriage are coated with paint too. Here, the cosmetic aspect may not be so important though. Having the underside of the vehicle checked regularly will prevent rust from causing severe damage. Should corrosion be detected, it should be removed as soon as possible and the affected area covered with a fresh protective cover.
Many newer cars will have their undercarriage protected by plastic covers. Should these covers come off or get cracked, water may reach the metal parts of the undercarriage they are supposed to shield. German Motors recommends replacing damaged or missing covers on the underside as quickly as possible. Although they are not visible, they serve an important function in protecting your vehicle from corrosion.
Those repairing their cars themselves may consider using products like 3M Undercoating, which protects vulnerable automotive metal parts from corrosion and abrasion. Such products are specifically designed for automotive undercarriages, wheel wells and body panels — quarter panels, under hoods, trunks, and undersides of floor pans. To find out what you could or should do to protect your vehicle from corrosion, we recommend having a chat with German Motors’ team.
