New Marauder: Rustproofing?

[Brother Mike]

Merry Christmas to All!

My new Pearl Blue Marauder will be ready for pickup this Friday. I have a question and would like to hear from the vast experience of members on this forum: Should I get my new Marauder rustproofed? If so do I do dealer or aftermarket like Ziebart? What about paint protection? I am taking my digital camera with me so I will have pics to post of it all shiny and clean! :) Thanks for all advice in advance!


Brother Mike

[ron460]

I sleep better knowing it's rustproofed with the amount of roadsalt they use here in Ontario during the winter months. The dealer used "the Protector" sytem looks good on paper time will tell how they live up to it.

[tetsu]

BrotherMike, please post some pics of your blue car if you can! :)

I'm dying to see a real blue one.

Johnny

[Larry Vogel]

The steel process and galvinizing have come a long way to prevent rust, but you living in the rusty belt I'd still have it rustproofed and not from the dealer. Zeibart I still believe to be the best around here.

[Billatpro]

Rustproofing was an option I declined, I dont how this particular car series does in the long term but I can say that I have owned many many cars in my life and have learned from experience that I am the best protection from this problem than anything a dealer or after market company could provide. A well and deligently maintained car (and that includes complete cleaning of all surfaces) is the best protection you can get. Thats not to say the rustproofing would not be added insurance but if you take care of your car it won't be a problem.

[RF Overlord]

I'm somewhat ambivalent about rust-proofing, too...I guess if it's done RIGHT it would be a value, but too many places either use substandard materials, give the installers inadequate training, or they try and cheap their way through and it comes out WORSE than no protection at all...anybody remember "Rusty Jones"? :rolleyes:

[RCSignals]

I don't think I'd have a car "undercoated" any more, but one of the rustproofing processes like ziebart might be good.

The cars are pretty well rustproofed as they come though, and as long as you keep the underside clean you might be alright

As for paint protection, I personally wouldn't bother with the dealer applied protectant. They all offer it, but it's all a bit of a scam really

Your best paint protection is what some people here use "Zaino" or any quality car polish and wax such as meguires products. I use meguires Gold class system

[Bigdogjim]

One of things I liked about my dealer was the fact that they did not even try to sell me anything like that. Just the car! Nice for a change. And yes RF Overlord I remember Rusty Jones, several people I know put money out for that.
Big Dog

[chapel1]

Don't need either of them!Ive got a 10 year old car with144000miles on it and no rust.The last car I had rustproofed started rusting around the access holes they drilled.Take car of your car and it will take care of you.Clearcoat is meant to take care of your paint job.You don't need any special glow jobs done to your baby.

[Brother Mike]

PS:
In case any one out there is wondering what kind of deals are available I paid just over 29,500 for mine. That figure does not include sales tax :( and I did get the 6 yr/100,00 mile extended warranty. Plus 0% financing for 36 months.

[Bigdogjim]

Great job! Got to love the end of the year deals.
Good luck! What a New Year you'll have.
Big Dog

[LincMercLover]

I'm not an avid rust-proofer either. Both of my older cars never had it, and other than not wearing contacts while under it (lil hunks of rust/dirt in contacts makes for short lived contacts), I have no problem with not having it. However, my mother under-coated her 1992 Mercury Topaz when she bought it, and to this day, that car looks like new underneith... so it does have its pluses. You just have to weigh how well you think you'll keep the car maintained vs. the cost vs. how long you plan on keeping the car. I'll tell you one thing though, with all the components of the under carriage being made of materials not prone to rust, I REALLY doubt it'd be an advantage if you keep the underneither sprayed down real well all the time.

[Ken]

I got the dealer package on my 92 Econoline conversion Van. Didn't want it to rust around the cut in windows. Later removed a door panel, had small fan sprays of rustproofing about 12 inches high. I raised hell at the dealership, they said "What's the problem, it rusts THROUGH, we repair, (had no rust showing after eight years) I asked about the next owner, they said "What do you care, it's not your problem anymore." So I compomised the paint and body, where they drilled, for no benefit. Just wash it regularly and wax it, I've never had a spot of rust on any of my Fords, I generally keep them through 6-8 Cleveland area winters. Even my brand new 90 Probe GT, that had the complete front end replaced after getting hit nearly head-on.
The paint protectant still needed two coatings a year with some stuff that I had to buy from the dealership. May as well wax it. The Fabric Protectant actually attracted dirt, Had to keep scrubbing the carpets and seats, never did this with Scotchguard.

[Heavy351]

Sometimes the cure is worse than the disease. If applied improperly the rustproofing can actually trap moisture in the bodypanels. I have seen a few bad jobs where the drainholes in the panels were smaller or actually clogged! Most of the moisture comes in the doors from the weatherstripping at the bottom of the windows. On my older cars I have used POR-15 (wicked stuff that chemically pulls water from metal) on the floor of the trunk and insides of the rear quarters and on my "78 F-150 old motor oil applied with a brush to the undersides of the floorboards has worked for years. On a nice new car however, you need to keep the drain holes in the body panels and the doors clear. Spray out the tops of the wheel wells just get the salt off the car. Chips in the paint or trapped moisture is where it all starts. I guy I met who restores vintage jags and mercedes told me that slamming the doors also accelerates rust by causing the doorskins to "loosen" over the years allowing rust to start along its edges. So I like to close all the doors, hood, trunk with just enough pressure...

[BRSMERC]

I am a rust protection believer. I think there is quite a difference between undercoating and rust protection. Undercoating is great for sound control and initially offers some rust protection. As it ages, and loosens, it can trap moisture.
I have been using a weeping type of rust protection for some years now and it seems quite effective. I have it applied yearly. It is a thin oil which coats internal and external rust prone parts. The car drips for a week or two, but at least you have a good feeling. Would it not be great to see some of these Marauders 30 years later in mint condition?

Brian