If You Do This, You'll Never Have to Repair Rust on Your Car

Summary

This video script offers a comprehensive guide on preventing rust in cars. It explains the electrochemical process of rust formation on steel surfaces exposed to oxygen, water vapor, and salt. The narrator emphasizes the importance of maintaining the protective layers of paint and clear coat, and the use of zinc-based primer for electroplating car parts. Tips on regular waxing and using rust preventive paints like 'Rust Bullet' are shared, along with advice on sealing scratches and addressing existing rust to protect the car's frame and underbody from further corrosion.

Takeaways

• 🚗 Rust is an electrochemical oxidation process that affects car steel, especially in the presence of oxygen, water vapor, and substances like salt used on roads.
• 🛠️ Cars are painted to prevent rust, with layers including a primer coat, a base coat for color, and a clear coat for protection.
• 🔋 The metal of the car is electroplated with zinc-based primer during production, which serves as a sacrificial layer to protect the car from corrosion.
• 🎨 The process of painting modern cars is different from the past, with a focus on protective layers rather than just aesthetics.
• 👴 The speaker's grandfather's time saw the use of lacquer-based paint with multiple layers and buffing for a shiny finish.
• 🛡️ To prevent rust, it's important to maintain the protective coatings on the car, which includes waxing the car four times a year to keep the clear coat supple.
• 🔄 The metal and paint of a car work together with opposite charges to prevent rust, with the metal being negatively charged and the paint positively.
• 🛠️ If the protective coatings are damaged, it's crucial to reseal the area to prevent rust from starting, using methods like applying clear coat or using rust preventative paints.
• 🏖️ For cars in coastal areas or regions with high humidity, additional protective measures like using rust preventative coatings on the car's underbody are recommended.
• 🛑 In case of existing rust, rust preventative paints can be applied to somewhat rusty metal to protect it and prevent further corrosion.
• 🔄 The purpose of anti-rust measures is to prevent electrochemical oxidation on bare metal, and maintaining a solid coating is key to preventing rust.

Q & A

What is rust and how does it affect cars?

Rust is an electrochemical oxidation process that affects steel, such as the metal in cars. When steel comes in contact with oxygen, water vapor, and other elements like salt, it can start an electrochemical reaction that creates a weak type of battery acid, which eats away at the metal, leading to rust damage.

How do modern cars prevent rust on their metal surfaces?

Modern cars prevent rust by applying a multi-layered paint system. This includes a primer coat, a base coat for color, and a clear coat for protection. These layers protect the bare metal from the elements that cause rust.

What is the purpose of the zinc-based primer used in car manufacturing?

The zinc-based primer serves as a sacrificial layer that can corrode instead of the car's metal. Zinc has a slower corrosion rate and can protect the car's metal by corroding first when exposed to the elements.

How does the process of electroplating the frame and crossmembers of a car help prevent rust?

Electroplating the frame and crossmembers involves coating them with a zinc-based primer during the vehicle's construction. The metal is given a negative charge, and the primer acts as a positive charge, creating a protective barrier against rust.

What is the significance of waxing a car four times a year to prevent rust?

Waxing a car four times a year, once each season, helps keep the clear coat supple, preventing it from cracking. This ensures that water and other elements that can cause rust do not penetrate the protective layers of paint.

Why is it important to repair scratches on a car promptly to prevent rust?

Repairing scratches promptly is important because once the protective paint layer is compromised, the bare metal underneath is exposed to the elements that cause rust. Sealing scratches with clear coat can prevent rust from starting at the damaged area.

What is the role of rust preventative paints in maintaining a car's body?

Rust preventative paints, such as the 'Rust Bullet' protective coating mentioned in the script, are used to seal and protect areas of the car that are prone to rust, especially those exposed to harsh conditions like saltwater environments.

How can rust preventative paints be applied to a car that is already showing signs of rust?

Rust preventative paints can be applied to somewhat rusty metal. After surface rubbing off the rust, the paint can be sprayed or rolled on to create a protective barrier that will prevent further rusting.

Why is it recommended to apply rust preventative coatings to the underside of a car?

The underside of a car is exposed to various elements that can cause rust, such as road salt and debris. Applying rust preventative coatings to this area helps protect the metal from these elements and prevent rust from starting.

What is the importance of rinsing off road salt from a car during winter?

Rinsing off road salt is important because salt accelerates the rusting process. By removing salt from the car's surface, you can reduce the risk of rust developing, especially in areas where the protective coating may have been compromised.

What can be done if a car's frame was not coated correctly during manufacturing, leading to rust issues?

If a car's frame was not coated correctly, leading to rust issues, the manufacturer may need to replace the affected frames. It's also crucial for car owners to maintain the protective coatings and repair any damage promptly to prevent further rusting.

Outlines

00:00

🚗 Understanding Rust Prevention on Cars

This paragraph discusses the fundamental concept of rust as an electrochemical oxidation process that affects car steel, especially when exposed to oxygen, water vapor, and road salts. It explains the historical evolution of car painting, from lacquer-based paints on Model T Fords to modern multi-layered coatings including primer, base coat, and clear coat, designed to protect the metal. The paragraph also highlights the use of zinc-based primer for electroplating car frames and crossmembers, which serves as a sacrificial layer to prevent rust. The importance of maintaining these protective coatings to avoid rust is emphasized, with examples of cars that have remained rust-free despite harsh conditions.

05:05

🛠️ Protecting Your Car from Rust Damage

The second paragraph focuses on practical measures to prevent rust on cars, such as regular waxing to keep the clear coat supple and prevent cracking, which could allow water and other elements to cause rust. It introduces Nufinish, a polish that serves a similar protective function as wax. The paragraph also advises on how to handle scratches by using clear coat to seal them and prevent rust initiation. For cars that are already showing signs of rust, it recommends the use of rust preventative paints like 'Rust Bullet' to seal and protect the affected areas, especially the undercarriage which is prone to damage from road debris and salt in northern regions. The summary concludes with a tip on applying anti-rust coatings and the importance of doing so to maintain the car's structural integrity.

Keywords

💡Rust

Rust is an electrochemical oxidation process that affects metals, particularly steel in the context of the video. It occurs when metal comes into contact with oxygen and moisture, leading to a reaction that forms iron oxide, commonly known as rust. In the video, rust is the primary concern as it can weaken the steel structure of a car, and the main theme revolves around preventing this process to maintain the vehicle's integrity.

💡Electrochemical Reaction

An electrochemical reaction is a chemical reaction that involves the transfer of electrons between molecules or ions. In the context of the video, this term is used to describe how rust forms on a car's steel when it interacts with oxygen and water vapor. The reaction essentially 'eats up' the metal, leading to corrosion, which is the main issue the video aims to address through prevention methods.

💡Coatings

Coatings in the video refer to the layers of paint and protective substances applied to a car's surface to prevent rust. The script mentions a primer coat, base coat, and clear coat, which together protect the metal from the elements that cause rust. The integrity of these coatings is crucial for rust prevention, as any damage or lack of resealing can compromise the car's resistance to corrosion.

💡Zinc-based Primer

Zinc-based primer is a type of coating used in the automotive industry to protect the metal parts of a car. As mentioned in the video, zinc is used because of its slow corrosion rate and its sacrificial nature, meaning it can corrode preferentially to protect the underlying metal. This primer is applied during the car's manufacturing process to provide an additional layer of protection against rust.

💡Waxing

Waxing is a car maintenance practice that involves applying a wax to the car's paint to protect it from environmental damage and to maintain its shine. In the video, waxing is recommended four times a year to keep the clear coat supple and prevent it from cracking, which could allow moisture to penetrate and cause rust.

💡Nufinish

Nufinish, as mentioned in the script, is a type of polish that serves a similar purpose to wax but is not a wax itself. It is used to protect the car's paint from cracking due to the expansion and contraction of the metal and paint under varying temperatures. The product is highlighted as an alternative to traditional wax for maintaining the car's protective coatings.

💡Clear Coat

Clear coat is a transparent protective layer applied over the painted surface of a car to provide a hard, durable finish that resists chips, scratches, and weathering. In the video, it is emphasized that applying clear coat over scratches or damaged areas can help seal the metal and prevent rust from forming.

💡Rust Bullet Protective Coating

Rust Bullet Protective Coating is a specific product mentioned in the video that is used to prevent rust on metal surfaces, particularly on a car's frame. It is applied to areas that are prone to rust, such as the underside of the car, to create a barrier against the elements that cause rust, especially in harsh conditions like saltwater environments.

💡Rust Belt

The Rust Belt is a term used to describe certain regions in the United States that were traditionally known for their steel industry and have experienced economic decline. In the video, it refers to areas where rust is a significant concern for cars due to the use of salt on roads during winter, which accelerates the rusting process.

💡Galvanization

Galvanization is the process of applying a protective zinc coating to steel or iron to prevent rusting. The video contrasts galvanization with the application of zinc-based primer, explaining that while galvanization involves dipping the metal in molten zinc, the automotive process is a coating that can be compromised if scratched or damaged.

💡Anti-Rust Coatings

Anti-rust coatings are substances applied to metal surfaces to inhibit rust formation. In the video, these coatings are discussed as a preventative measure for cars that are already showing signs of rust. They can be applied to somewhat rusty metal to protect it from further corrosion, especially in regions with harsh weather conditions or high salt exposure.

Highlights

Rust is an electrochemical oxidation process affecting steel in cars when exposed to oxygen, water vapor, and salt.

Modern car painting includes a primer, base coat, and clear coat to protect the metal from rust.

The electroplating process during car manufacturing uses zinc as a sacrificial layer to protect the car from corrosion.

A 1994 Toyota Celica example demonstrates the effectiveness of rust prevention techniques even in humid conditions.

Maintaining coatings by waxing four times a year helps prevent rust by keeping the clear coat supple.

Nufinish, a polish that serves as an alternative to wax, protects the paint from cracking due to metal expansion and contraction.

Minor scratches should be sealed with clear coat to prevent rust from developing.

For cars with existing rust, rust preventative paints like Rust Bullet can be applied to halt further corrosion.

Rust Bullet can be used on somewhat rusty metal and provides a protective coating to prevent further rusting.

In northern regions, salt from winter roads can accelerate rusting, emphasizing the need for rust preventative measures.

Rust Bullet can be applied to the car's frame to protect it from chipping paint and potential rust.

For those living in coastal areas, using rust preventative coatings is crucial due to the saltwater atmosphere.

Anti-rust coatings can be easily applied with a spray gun, making it accessible for DIY rust prevention.

The primary purpose of anti-rust coatings is to prevent electrochemical oxidation on bare metal by maintaining a solid coating.

The importance of reapplying coatings after damage or wear is emphasized to ensure ongoing rust prevention.

A real-life example of a 20-year-old Toyota Corolla in the Rust Belt with no rust showcases the success of rust prevention techniques.

The video encourages viewers to subscribe for more car repair tips and insights.

Transcripts

rev up your engines, today I'm going to talk about how to

prevent rust on your car, now to prevent rust, first you have to understand what

rust is, rust is electrochemical oxidation and in the case of cars, the

steel, when it comes in contact with oxygen in the atmosphere, water vapor

atmosphere and other things like salt that they put on the road and up north

and winter, it starts an electrochemical reaction that will eat up the steel in

your car, it actually creates a weak type of battery acid, that eats stuff up it's

an electrochemical reaction, it uses electricity and chemistry to eat up the

metal, now cars of course are painted to prevent the steel from getting its

electrochemical reaction, now when my grandfather was young, Model T Fords they

used lacquer based stuff, they paint it and buff it, and paint it and buffed it, to have layers

and layers of paint that they buffed to make it look good, but the basis of

modern car painting is much different, the metal has a primer type coat on it

then it has base coat, which is the color, then it has a clear coat to protect that

all those layers protect the bare metal, and as long as those layers of

protections are still there, your car won't rust, and when it comes to solid

parts, the frame of the car and crossmembers and stuff, these are

generally electroplated when the vehicle is built, the metal is a negative charge

and the paint is the positive charge, and when the body of the car goes into the

tank, it coats it all with a zinc based primer, now Zinc is used because it has

to slow corrosion rate and it can be used sacrificially, so instead of eating

up your car, it can eat up some of the zinc, and as you can see the process

works, this is a 1994 Toyota Celica, look there's no rust even on the wheel arches

here, the process keeps it from rusting and I know people are going to say, Scotty

hey you live in Texas cars don't rust there, well actually it's very humid here

and if they start to rust, they rust really bad and if you live on the beach

they would, because it's saltwater, but my mother still lives near Buffalo, the

heart of the Rust Belt and her 20 year old Toyota Corolla doesn't have any rust on

it. the

just works. as long as you keep the coatings from being rubbed off or

cracked off. or if you get in a wreck, they're not resealed

and as long as the process was done correctly, for instance there were some

1990s Toyota Tacoma pickup trucks, that they didn't coat the frames correctly

and a lot of them rotted away and Toyota had to replace a whole bunch of

frames for free because of that, so you have to realize, that this process of

covering the steel is just a cover, it's not like hot zinc galvanized, where you

dip it when it's hot and hot melted zinc, and then it becomes part of it, and if it

gets scratched it doesn't matter, this stuff if it gets scratched or knocked

off, it will start to corrode inside, so your whole thing is to keep the coating

intact and here's how you do it, you're suppose to wax your car four times a year, once

each season, that keeps the clear coat supple, so that it won't crack and then

water and stuff can get inside, I like this Nufinish, technically it's not a

wax, it's a polish but it does the same thing, it protects the paint from

cracking, because you have to realize, it's metal it expands and contracts in

the Sun, the paint has to expand and contract too, if it gets all hard and

dried out, it won't and then you'll see all that kicked up paint where it's

flaking off on your car, and here's a tip if you ever do get a scratch on your car

it's a good idea to just have a little clear coat and some masking tape so if

you do get a big scratch or a bump, you can at least tape the area up and spray

it with some clear coat and that will seal it so it won't rust, granted to do a

perfect job you'd have to sand it down to the bare metal, then put some primer

on, then put the base coat color on, and then put clear coat on, but at least putting a

clear coat over anything that's been hit, it's going to seal it in, as long as you

do it fast enough before it starts rusting, but let's say you got a real

rust bucket that's already started rusting, these rust preventative paints actually

work quite well, I use this rust bullet protective coating on the frame of my

Celica, because the frame is on the bottom, rocks hit it, all kinds of things hit it

and when the paint on the bottom starts chipping off, you want

to seal it with something like this, so rust doesn't start and eat up your frame

especially for you guys living up north in the Rust Belt

hey all that salt water that comes on when you put salt on the road and

gets with the slush, that gets all over it, of course you want to try to

rinse it off whenever you can, but you want to have the metal that it gets on

sealed before anything else will happen, I know a lot of guys up north before

winter, they'll jack up their car or truck they'll look under it and if they see that

there's a bunch of rust starting, they'll just surface rub a lot of it off, this can be

applied on somewhat rusty metal and then they can spray this on, roll it on

anywhere you want, and then it'll protect it for the winter, now you don't have to

worry about salts on the roads and the winter here in Houston, maybe once every

30 years when it does freeze, but hey I know guys down in Galveston that live on

the beach, and they use the stuff on their frames, because they're driving

around in a saltwater atmosphere right on the Gulf of Mexico, and it keeps them

from rotting away, because I've seen a bunch of them that didn't, and they just

rotted like mad, within five or six years, because let's face it, big rocks and

stuff generally aren't flying on the paint of your car, but on the bottom of the car

there's all kinds of stuff on the road that's being thrown up and whacking

against them, since these anti-rust coatings can be sprayed on, you can put

them in a spray gun, hey it's not a big job, you don't care about the bottom of

the car what it looks like, you don't have to be a pro to actually paint the

car to make it look shiny on the top, this is the bottom, you don't care you

just want the coating on there so it won't rust, because ultimately the

purpose of stopping rust is to prevent electrochemical oxidation on the bare

metal, as long as that metal has got a good solid coating on it, it will not rust,

so if you never want to miss another one of my new car repair videos, remember

to ring that Bell!