What is Rust?

Rust is corrosion, and corrosion is the silent and deadly enemy of your vehicle. How does this happen? It is natural for all metals, including iron and steel alloys to, at the first opportunity, return to their original unrefined form of ore and mineral.

The rusting process is extremely complex due to the numerous electro-chemical reactions that occur when iron, air, moisture and other elements react. These reactions lead to the formation of many different chemical compounds including various forms of iron oxides commonly known as rust. The hydrated iron oxide causes the metal to become porous, expand and separate causing the area to become weak and brittle. The oxidisation also causes the lack of adhesion to the surface of the metal and flakes off easily causing 'pitting'. Extensive pitting eventually causes structural weakness and disintegration of the metal.

All it needs for rust to work its way into your vehicle is the presence of water and oxygen the added presence of salt will only accelerate the whole process. It is a guaranteed fact that you will in the normal usage of your vehicle expose it to water (by washing it , rain or humidity) and also, of course, to oxygen.

Rust can begin in any area of your vehicles body, inside or out, that is exposed to the elements and is not protected (eg absence of paint). Well-known prone areas are the bottom edges on doors and tailgates, sills, lower lying edges of guards and the underbody. Millions of dollars each year are spent on rust repairs.