Rust proofing

[kw]

This '88 burb I'm looking at owner says has no rust. Was thinking after the purchase of having it rust proofed, and was wondering if you all thought it was a good thing to do or a total waste of time and money. Vehicle will be used for trips, very limited off roading (bird hunting), and getting to work when it snows.

Any thoughts? Thanks in advance.

[KShortell]

I'm convinced that rustproofing saved my Suburban. However, I need to quantify that. I had it rustproofed in Michigan over a decade ago. It's even more necessary in the Rust Belt than in MD. My rockers, quarters, and doors haven't rotted out. The floor is rust-free the entire length of the vehicle.

I have fixed some rust, but small dime-sized stuff at the bottom of a quarter panel or along the inside of a rear door or tailgate isn't major or cosmetically expensive. The rear wheelwells were more damaged, but again not an exterior problem. I'm up for new front wheelhouses in the coming year or two. I figure she would have been a pile of dust long ago if it weren't for the rustproofing.

The key is in the application. I remember my Dad telling me in the 80's when he was program manager for the CUCVs at TACOM (U.S. Army Tank-Automotive Command) of how the Army had rustproofed a bunch out in Hawaii and then they rusted. They'd trapped salt below the undercoating. The Coast Guard still uses CUCV K5 Blazers to patrol beaches along the Gulf Coast and they're not all rotted away.

In short, I believe it works but you can't slather it over existing rust and the bottom needs to be steam cleaned first. Steam cleaning is what was done when I had my truck rustproofed.

More modern vehicles aren't quite as susceptible as our vintage iron. You've got to love plastic wheelwell liners!

[special-K]

I`m in your area as well.My`91 was Zeibarted whan new.PO was WashingtonSuburbanSanitaryCommission.I`m sure they didn`t give it alot of good washings.The only rust on it was there when I bought it two years ago.There is a hole about 1/4x3/4"on the top edge/rear of the drivers side/2nd door.I noticed this summer that the seem in the wheel-well is getting crusty(not coated).I feel this is how the rear quarter panels get rust.I treated the rust,painted it,then sealed it w/undercoat.I have a`90 K/5 I bought new.No undercoat/no rust.I always concentrated on flushing-out the underbody and keep drain holes clear,shooting water till it was clear.I don`t think I`d undercoat an older vehicle.

[KShortell]

Originally Posted by special-K

I noticed this summer that the seem in the wheel-well is getting crusty(not coated).

Yeah, that's where it happened on mine. I actually riveted some aluminum patch panels in there using 3M seam sealer, paint, and undercoating. It's held up since 1996/7 and the rust has stayed at bay so far...

[Beefcake]

my 71 monte was undercoated. basically makes the underbody impossible to get down to the metal. Its good that it was done, probley saved the car- but basically is a resto nightmare.

[sleekster]

i would recommend undercoating if you live where salt is used, i got my 85 burb from arizona 3years ago and had the same delema i heard of undercoating cracking and trapping water but i went with ziebart and it stays flexible they steam cleaned the bottom of the truck and then sprayed a rust inhibitor on then undercoated also drilled holes ( i was'nt to keen on that ) in my doors and rockers etc. and sprayed seam sealer a wax like product also sprayed th hems on my doors every year i take it back for a free inspection they touch up the bottm where any undercoating might have come off and pull the plugs and re-shoot the seam sealer. so far nothing at least tif it rots out i won't wonder if i could have prevented it.