How to prevent your classic car from rusting

There are many elements of being a classic car owner that test your patience. There’s the difficulty of sourcing particularly rare parts, the ever-present worry of breaking down at busy junctions and, perhaps above all, the thought of rust. Picturing your pride and joy covered in spots of burnt orange rust that eats away at the precious bodywork is frightening, but it’s something most classic car owners do regularly. And that’s healthy, because it means rust prevention is always at the top of their agenda. However, if you’re new to the world of classic cars and have absolutely no idea how to prevent yours from rusting, you’ve come to the right place. In this post, we’re going to list four tried-and-tested techniques for stopping rust before it has the chance to ruin your entire year.

1. Find the first signs of rust and cut them off at source

Depending on how old your car is and its susceptibility to rust (some cars are worse than others), you may already have some rust to contend with. Providing it hasn’t already spread, the trick is to cut it off at source by dealing with it early on. Check the arches, bumpers and jack the car up so you can take a good look underneath with a torch. It also pays to look at any sections where body components meet. If you find any signs of rust - no matter how small - take it straight to your favourite body shop to get fixed. The bill shouldn’t be too big if you find it early on. Perform these checks regularly, and you’ll be the master of rust, rather than the other way around.

2. Don’t allow water to rest

Rust is primarily the result of moisture build-up, which is why you should never let water rest on the car. As you spend more time with your classic, you’ll start to learn where water tends to sit, and once you’ve spotted each offending area, you can easily ensure that water doesn’t remain there for too long by drying or draining the body panel in question.

3. Wash, wash, wash (and then wash again)

Chances are, you don’t need to be told to wash your car regularly, but one of the best rust prevention methods is to thoroughly clean your car at least once a month (depending on how often it’s used). Invest in good quality cleaning materials and spend a couple of hours each time, to ensure that you clean every nook and cranny that might be prone to rust. You can even try adding a small amount of baking soda to your washing fluid, as it’ll do wonders in the fight against road salt. Don’t forget the undercarriage, either. Cleaning the bits you can’t see is remarkably easy if you use a power washer.

4. Wax twice per year

Again, if you’re a classic car enthusiast, you’re probably doing this already, but if not, make sure you wax your vehicle twice every year. Wax will add yet another layer of protection against rust and, as a rather nice side effect, leave your car looking as though it has just left the production line.

That’s it!

Sure, you can spend a fortune on cleaning products that ‘guarantee’ zero rust, but if you follow the methods above (i.e. those that have been relied upon for decades), your precious motor will be just as ready for the fight against that horrible orange stuff. Image credit