Rust is not inevitable (1 Viewer)

[NY2LA]

So, I just had my underbody woolwaxed in preparation for installing skids, and I want to say that rust is not inevitable on our vehicles.

As I noted in a couple of other discussions, I had zero rust on my KDSS valve and very, very little anywhere else under the vehicle. This was confirmed by the applicator at Garden State Undercoating. He's one of the best in the business, I believe.

I'm at 3 years' ownership with 46K miles. I had one winter in NH where the vehicle was parked outside, and my other winters have been in NJ, with the vehicle garaged. I've had a few trips up to Michigan in the winter, several trips around New England with salty roads, but with the majority of my trips in moderate weather and some to dry areas in hot weather. Balanced usage, I guess.

Prior to this week, I had never applied any undercoating. I should also note I did not have skids. I do not know how skids affect rust.

One thing I can say is that I wash the undercarriage diligently on a regular basis. I squat down and basically do a sort of frog walk all around the vehicle, reaching in and spraying everywhere with the pressure hose. I'm going to guess that that has spared my vehicle from rust.

Next to me in the undercoating shop was a Sequoia with 50-something thousand miles and more years of ownership (don't remember exact numbers). That undercarriage was peeling like a rotten onion. Absolutely horrid. Frankly, I would have been afraid to drive it, because I would have been worried about the structural integrity of the exhaust system, brake calipers, etc. I can only assume the owner did not wash it.

Anyway, just wanted to note my experience. Rust is definitely not inevitable with our vehicles.

 

[bloc]

I squat down and basically do a sort of frog walk all around the vehicle, reaching in and spraying everywhere with the pressure hose.

This is the way.

You are removing the corrosive elements before they can actually do damage.

I bet if you look close certain specific areas that collect dirt/gravel, like the inner part of the front bump stop braces, front body mounts, possibly the tow hitch area of the rear crossmember.. likely have more rust than the bulk of the vehicle. But end-of-day if you get rid of most of the salt before it can do any harm your vehicle will last far, far longer.

Thank you for being a loving landcruiser owner.