What are your thoughts on rust proofing? Recognizing that new vehicles have a certain level of rustproofing at the factory, I realize many people do not believe in an aftermarket product unless one is keeping a vehicle a long while. I am interested in hearing thoughts on the various aftermarket products, not including the dealer applied undercoating which I personally think is not worth the money. I am thinking more about products like Rust Check, which I understand is available in the US as well as Canada. In Canada there is also Krown which is similar (needs annual application). I have decided to go with either rust check or Krown but am torn which may be best.

In any case what are others thoughts on the subject? I want my HHR (once the thing gets here) to look its best for as long as possible.

 

Rust? What is that? I think it is caused by rain and snow, something I do not see much of.

 

Lucky you. Unlike Arizona, Newfoundland gets plenty of rain and snow and the salt used on the roads works wonders on metal. Rust is that orange coloured stuff on metal (not talking about the Orange colored HHRs).

Now you do know what snow is I assume

 

I have see that white wet stuff fall once or twice on TV.

 

How about one of those little boxes that stops rust through electricity? My grandmother has one on her Cavalier and no rust had developed so it seems to work.

 

Except for your increased salt factor (ocean air) I don't think that you will need anything else. Everything seems well protected.

 

Do those things actually work? Anyone know? I'm guessing they're just a gadget... Anyone else tried one before?

 

I do not have my HHR yet, so I am new here. But being from western NY, we get our share of snow and the state knows how to use salt and alot of it. I know of several people who spray their vehicle with used motor oil, one has a 89 dodge pickup with NO rust on it at all and he does this religiously. Persoanlly I use WD-40, and dont wash until spring. WD-40 is a water dispalcement formula used to keep metal from rusting in the ship yards. I has saved my vehicles for years now. I buy 5 gallon can and use a lawn chemical sprayer and spray from the windows down in late October after a good cleaning and dont wash again till spring, yes it looks nasty at times, but water is what activates the salt to chemically casue steel to rust. I just know it works for me

 

I've heard of that before... Don't know if I could go that long without washing the car....that'd kill me!

 

I had my HHR undercoated and the fender wells sprayed for noise suppression - seams to work so far. I will clean the fender well this spring and apply another coat for good measure. I was told by the shop manager at my local GM dealer - that if I had my HHR rust proofed (ziebart for example) that the process would VOID the GM’s Rust Warranty. Besides, even with the salt and sand they use around here in the winter time - I have not had any problems with other vehicle that I have done this to.