[BUL2294]

When I bought the Bullitt, I decided against any sort of rust protection, undercoating, etc. with the thought that I'd keep the car out of the winter salt. Consumer Reports also once mentioned to avoid all of those add-ons because they usually aren't worth it. This winter, the car is stored away. But I'm not sure I'm going to have a "winter beater" next year...

One thing the dealership told me was that they need to put on any rustproofing within a month or so of purchase. Is this really true or were they just trying to get extra business? If it's not true, I'd consider having the car rustproofed this coming summer (Simonize?)... Any advice?

 

[mr.pj]

I think the dealer is full of shot. If you don't drive it in the salt they'll just steam clean the underside and blast it with rustproofing. I took mine to tidy car on the corner of 130th and pearl road. It's a company store and have been around forever. Umfornately mickeys is no longer around. He used to do a fantastic job.

 

[Nasty Bob]

Dealer rustproofing is huge profit for them and is usually a crappy job.

That one month window is just a pressure application to make you nervous.

If you do decide to rustproof, choose an outfit that specializes in it and has a good reputation.

 

[BamaBullit]

Hey guys...I was wondering I asked someone down here in the south about rustproofing and they said I shouldn't worry about because of locale. What do y'all think? Nasty is yours rustproofed for the wild west?

 

[Nasty Bob]

<TABLE BORDER=0 ALIGN=CENTER WIDTH=85%><TR><TD><font size=-1>Quote:</font><HR></TD></TR><TR><TD><FONT SIZE=-1><BLOCKQUOTE>
On 2002-01-28 03:32, BamaBullit wrote:
Nasty is yours rustproofed for the wild west?
</BLOCKQUOTE></FONT></TD></TR><TR><TD><HR></TD></TR></TABLE>

Nope, just bare underneath. Nobody uses salt out west on the road, they just throw down sand. You only need it in areas where they salt.

 

[BamaBullit]

Good deal....thanks!

 

[rpmdds]

In my neck of the woods, I wouldn't touch a car without some form of rust protection. Not only because the roads are saltier than MacDonalds fries, but there's a load of salt in the air just living close to the ocean.

Case in point, our last house was about 1 mile from the ocean, and the salt in the moist air was enough to form rust on my hog after being left out for only one week. Since we moved inland 30 miles, the bike sat out for over a month and- surprise- no rust whatsoever. So it's not just the road debris that chews up cars, but what's in the air as well.

Maybe someone can clear this point up tho- does current rustproofing give any sound insulation like the older graphite or wax undercoatings? My car was undercoated before I drove it, so I wouldn't notice any difference anyway - and like many of my fellow bullitheads, I usually drive with the windows down!

 

[Cochese]

Good topic!
After spending several hours under DHG 3875
getting road dust removed, I noticed several
areas on the frame that had been missed by
the paint robot, thus there was just bare
metal exposed to the elements. I DID notice
and eradicate some very small areas of
SURFACE RUST in these exposed areas. My
Bullitt has NOT and does NOT get driven in
rain/snow or on wet roads. My Bullitt does
NOT have rustproofing. From what I saw, it
seems like if you do drive the Bullitt in
the wet or salty air, rustproofing from a
reputable vendor is a good move.

 

[bdspony]

the stuff most vendors spray on the bottom is a all in one .. sound shield rust proofing ... Where i work my brother does this to every new car that comes in and it is a huge mark up on the sticker but its just extra money in the dealers pocket ... and he pays my brother well ... about 50 grand a year, IT DOES WORK >>>

 

[BB00797]

LoL BamaBullit! Great pic of your car going tactical! ROFLMAO!
#797

 

[strokerswild]

Don't forget to liberally hose out those wheelwells and the undercarriage when washing! Lots of folks just seem to ignore this when cleaning their babies, and that road grime really collects over time (especially in rear wheel opening lips), whether or not you drive in the winter.

 

[99gt]

I have been driving al my Mustangs in winter and none had rust proofing
But went I get the car at home I always hose it down well
Even after 3 years of winter drive none of them exhibited rust problem
I don’t think one year of winter drive will hurt it that much
If you plan on driving it all the time in the winter that a other story

 

[BULLITT0283]

Before rustproofing, be certain to check warranty. There have been years that Ford did NOT honor rust through warranty if car was "rustproofed". When done at dealer, it's the DEALER that's giving you the warranty -- I know from experience! Sometimes the dealer's easier to deal with on rust claims if they rustproof too -- living in Mich I've had several claims for rust through and each time Ford or the dealer has honored it, but it must be RUST THROUGH not surface rust. Regular washing in bad climes is the best defense -- in wheel wells and underbody too! Good luck to all as it's a crap shoot!