CARLEtheCamry t1_j4qn1l3 wrote on January 17, 2023 at 4:19 PM

Reply to comment by g_h_o_s_t_ in Automotive Rust Repair Recommendations by g_h_o_s_t_

Hell yeah. I still regret getting rid of my '04 Camry (namesake of this account) because the rust issues became more to repair than it was worth. Metal itself becomes a wearable part up here in the salt belt.

Have you done anything proactive on yours, like undercoating? Most discussions about undercoat are split 50/50, some swearing by it and other swearing it can create more problems than it's worth.

g_h_o_s_t_ OP t1_j4qpger wrote on January 17, 2023 at 4:34 PM

I have not. I was on the fence about undercoating as well and was going to get through the winter and see how regular car washes went as far as preventing rust.

CARLEtheCamry t1_j4qrm2j wrote on January 17, 2023 at 4:48 PM

Is your car new to the salt belt here?

Anecdotally, last year I bought a 2010 Honda from my brother in Virginia, had never seen salt. Just one winter and there is visible rust on the undercarriage. I'm not super vigilant about washing it, but did get it full undercarriage washed after the salt was off the roads last year and it's still rusting faster than I expected. I kind of feel bad that I didn't undercoat it, but it was an inexpensive first car for my new teenage driver so I didn't want to put too much into it.

g_h_o_s_t_ OP t1_j4qtt6n wrote on January 17, 2023 at 5:02 PM

damn that's fast. it spent most of its life in CA and then maybe a year or two in the midwest before coming to pgh a few years ago.