[Vwdiesel] Undercoating for Rust Prevention

[Wade Yorke]

Someone suggested used engine oil.  This should never be used since the 
acids in it will eat through the body sheet metal faster than salt 
water.  I live in Nova Scotia and we have about the worst conditions 
that exist for vehicle rust.  Winter temperatures are often at freezing 
with salt used on the roads and air-borne salt spray often going a 100 
km inland.  In my experience the best product is Rust Check.  It looks 
like ATF but has a unique creeping ability that allows it to get into 
the seams. To prevent exterior seam rust I have been using a fine art 
brush (paint by numbers size) to apply the Rust Check fluid into the 
seams.  The caulking in the seams deteriorates over time and moisture 
sits in there.  Rust Check displaces water.  Rust Check is available in 
Canada at most automotive retailers in small spray cans and 4 liter 
jugs for application with spray equipment.  If you want even more 
protection, apply the Rust Check to the inside of the panels and the 
undercarriage (always best to undercoat in the summer when the fluid 
runs nicely in the heat) and follow up a couple of weeks later with a 
thicker product such as Krown or Fluid Film to just the undercarriage.  
You will get dirty when doing mechanical repairs but you should be able 
to stop further rusting.

Wade Yorke
1984 Westfalia 1.9TD