Rust is the one disease you have to protect your truck from at all costs. It spreads quickly and can cause irreversible damage to your vehicle. Rust patches grow bigger and bigger over time as they eat away at the surrounding metal. And the damage caused is not restricted to cosmetic one only but can even extend to the mechanical parts in the vehicle.
You can be as diligent as you want with regularly scheduled maintenance (such as having the oil changed frequently), your truck and truck bed would still be susceptible to rust. Even if a single deep scratch peels off the paint of your truck or the truck bed, it can be enough for the process of oxidation to start. Your truck is at even greater risks of rusting if you use it for a wide range of things, especially if you live in an extremely wet region. In fact, dents and scratches are almost a guaranteed possibility. The rust will set in and gradually destroy your vehicle.
The best way to stop rust from starting its destructive work is by preventing it from setting in the vehicle in the first place. In order to save yourself from the hassle of purchasing a new truck bed, give reputable shops, such as Line-X Newmarket, a call. By coating the bed liner in your truck, they will be able to stop rust from making your truck look unsightly.
We’ve also compiled a list of simple steps that will help you keep your vehicle rust-free:
1. Meticulously Clean Your Drains
Drains have been added to vehicles so that water does not collect in places that are prone to rust. If you let these drains get clogged with leaves or dirt, they will not serve the purpose for which they were designed. In fact, they’ll do the exact opposite of what they’re supposed to do.
Drains are installed in various locations and vary according to the make and design of your car. Find these drains and ensure you keep all of them clean. Below is a list of places where drains are usually found:
- along the bottom of the doors
- in the floors
- in the sunroof
- at the bottoms of fenders
- in the tailgate
2. Wash Your Car Regularly
There is a range of factors that contribute to rust formation. The most common offenders include salt, dirt, other debris and other chemicals on the roadways. If you live by the ocean, your vehicle will be even more vulnerable to rust. To stop salt from the ocean from corroding the paint on your car and eating into the metal underneath, make sure to wash your vehicle on a regular basis.
While galvanizing metal sheets have revolutionized the production of vehicles, eventually dirt, mud, sand, and salt can all wear away protective finishes on all types of vehicles. Which is why we maintain that your best line of defense is keeping your truck clean.
With the use of Microfiber towels, you can easily clean it yourself. Once every two weeks should do the trick. If you are looking for a more convenient option, have your truck washed at a carwash.
3. Protect the Bed Liner of the Truck
To prevent rust from forming on your truck bed, it would be a good idea to not let oxygen and moisture coming into contact with it. The best product on the market when it comes to protecting bed liners is Line-X. It stops rust from encroaching on your truck bed by bonding perfectly to the metal of your truck bed and effectively creating an airtight and watertight barrier.
In addition to being aesthetically pleasing, it also has sound-dampening properties. But out of all the benefits that this type of material conveys to truck owners, the following are the most noteworthy:
- Resistant to scratches, dents, and dings
- Unlike mats and plastic liners, it has no water problems
- Cannot be destroyed by chemicals.
- Resistant to tears from various objects.
4. Use Products to Prevent Rust from Setting in and Don’t Delay in Treating Rust Spots
Pre-treating your vehicle is a definite must when trying to protect it from rust formation. You can have the manufacturer apply a rust coating when first buying the car. It may cost you a little bit more, but this little investment will go a long way in keeping your truck rust-free. If you are looking to invest in a pre-owned truck, get a certified mechanic to inspect it and check for rust damage before you purchase the vehicle.
To pre-treat a vehicle you already own, you can simply apply anti-rust spray on areas that are predisposed to get damaged whenever you wash your car. When inspecting for rust, keep an eye out for chipped paint or areas that have ‘bubbles’ in the paint. These are sure signs that rust has formed under the paint and that corrosion has already started. Areas around the windows, along with the wheel wells, and around the fenders are usually more given to rust formation.
