DIY Rust proofing the RSX (long)
I guess I decided to post this because I have received much help
from these forums and, well, it is my turn to "give back", as they say... (I also posted this to the clubrsx.com forum). I hope this helps someone. Winter is coming, afterall... I have been debating weather to rust proof my brand new RSX. I learn about the various products (wax vs. oil base), the pros and cons (wax does not drip, but craps and traps moisture and plugs drainage holes - oil make impact rubber seals). I've learn that most professional services drill holes. Those services who do not drill holes usually charge an arm and a leg. I've also learn that new Acura/Hondas are pretty good when it comes to rust protection so perhaps Rust Proofing may not be that helpful. Anyway, I did not like the idea of having a monkey drill holes all over my car, so I simply decided to do it myself. It was relatively easy and I feel I did as good of a job then any other services our there. It is really easy and took me 3 hours. I discovered that applying a rust proofing product is relatively easy to do from the inside of the car without damaging the various door panels and mouldings in the process. In fact, most areas that would technically require rust proofing are accessible from the inside of the car. I focused my attention on reaching areas where Acura/Hondas tend to rust the most. In Canada, these are mostly: inside rear fenders, inside doors and doorsills, and around the windshield. I have not seen significant rust perforation anywhere else on Hondas. Incidentally, these are areas where my Acura Integra 1991 started rusting AFTER I had applied crappy wax-based rust proofing (turns out that the product actually encouraged rusting by trapping moister -more on that below). Here is what I did: (of course this varied depending on your car but I feel that this should be relatively easy on Civics Accords, etc.. specially 2 door models 1) Hondas/Acura door panels can be removed relatively easily (usually only 4 screws) to install speakers, etc.And by removing the white plastic sheet glued to the door, you have access to the whole inside of the door. I sprayed liberally on the whole door -from the window all the way down, including around the door handle, locks, hinges, and all around, until it drips out from the drainage holes. Make sure that these holes remain unobstructed before placing the panels back. Use a pipe cleaner if they are. 2) Most of the rear fender is accessible by removing the rear speakers. It is extremely easy to do. However, reach in and remove the sound dampening material found inside, at the bottom BEFORE applying rust protection. It looks like a rectangle, soft foam pad (12 inches long, by 4" high and 4" deep) wrapped in thick plastic. I suspect that if one simply drilled holes and spray rustproof in there without removing the sound dampening material, as most shops would do, you will have a mess! Worst is one could be drilling into the plastic wrapper and only spray inside it - not very helpful. Good reason for D-I-Y! 3) You can also remove the doorplates quite easily and use their holes to spray the product. 4) I have also found that the rear hatch is easily "sprayable" by removing the oval rubber "guards" (i.e. door stopper the size of a wine bottle cork) on each side, and use their holes for spraying. Use the gravity in your favour and open the hatch all the way up. Leave it open and spray the product from the highest hole and let the product drip to the bottom holes. 5) The taillights area. You can remove a panel from inside the trunk to access that area. You can also go from above the license plate: there is an opening there that is pretty big. 6) Most sections of the front fenders can be reached via the engine bay. When you think about it, it makes sense to DIY: 1) One does not need to drill holes in your shinny new toy! Holes can let more moisture in. Metal shavings from drilling can fall inside, encouraging rust. 2) I can apply the product exactly and only where I wanted: the services will spay their product liberally all over you car; some of it is doomed to go on the plastic panels and eventually seep into them. Some will get into the engine bay and make a urge mess. Some stain your paint... 3) None of the services will spray around the roof or windshield. I did. 4) I applyed it only where it makes sense, i.e. Where it most likely to rust (mainly the rear fenders and doors) 5) I avoided spraying on the rubber seals or gaskets (some product may damage rubber seals) 6) It is cheaper to do: approx. 24$ Canadian (or 17US), instead then $120-ish 7) It is relatively satisfying to do: messy but easy to do. 8) You WILL do a more thorough job: only you have a vested interest to do it right. 9) If you want, in addition to this, you still can get the car undercoated with an oil-based product at Wal-Mart (these monkeys cannot really screw up that, can they? I mean, how hard is it to spray the underside of the car). If you are in Canada, do NOT use the Corrosion-Free product from Canadian Tire. It is a mix oil and wax-based product and it actually caused my 91 Teg to rust something bad by trapping moisture and cracking. Disadvantage of DIY: 1) Was not sure if I was applying too little so I will spray until it leaks out! I may have put too much ;-) 2) Not sure if I am spraying in all the right places. Perhaps I will miss some? 3) No warranty: Rust Check, Krown and others services provide a 10 year warranty against perforation. However, I am wondering if their warranty is indeed worth the paper they are written on. 4) It is messy. My wife hated the mess it did to the driveway 5) The product I use (Rust Check) smells a little - very little but still... 6) The process needs to be repeated yearly. Product to use: I have research this and found a few things about rust proofing products. First, there are the wax-based products (usually advertised as "no-drip") and oil-based products: heavy and light oil (both will drip!). I was told to stay away from wax as it dries, traps moisture, and can blocks drainage holes. This is what happened to my 1991 Teg which encourage it to rust. However, "Light Oil" goes everywhere, in all nooks and crannies, but it can stretch rubber seals and gaskets. If you are worried, you can protect your seals with silicone based spray first. Overall, I used almost three full cans of Rust Check ($8 CDN each @ Canadian Tire) - apparently the best product for rust proofing available for retail sale (NOT THE UNDERCOATING ONE) - I thought of getting POR-15 (?), but it is quite expensive. Might be worth it if you want a "one application deal". These cans were divided up this way: - 1 spray can for the both doors (they are nice and drippy!) - 1/2 for the both rear fenders - behind the doors and above the rear wheels (I went trough the speakers' opening and sprayed liberally in there. Not sure if I was able to spray way back, rear end of the wheel, though) - 1/2 for the front fenders (via the engine bay) - 1/8 for the roof area and the hatch and between bumper and licence plate. - 1/4 for the hood and inside the engine bay (very very little there, I hate to work in that slim). Total Project Cost: 24$ Cdn (3 cans) I did not do the undercarriage. As I said, I *might* consider having it done professionally with another oil based product as doing THIS is **messy**! I am pretty sure I did a better job on the doors then what Krown or Rust Check would have done by drilling. I was really able to get up there into the nooks and all. Didn't spray on stuff I did not want either (pw motor, etc.). Door panels came off and on without a problem. Nothing broke. And the best of it. NO HOLES DRILLED! Cheers! |
Re: DIY Rust proofing the RSX (long)
In article <VGv_c.381$e%o1.187@news04.bloor.is.net.cable.roge rs.com>,
"Frank" <NOSPAM@NOSPAM.com> wrote: > I've also learn that > new Acura/Hondas are pretty good when it comes to rust protection > so perhaps Rust Proofing may not be that helpful. I bought a 92 Civic Si new; it's now in the hands of my nephew, and still shines and looks superb. A bubble of rust has finally started to appear on a rear wheel well. I wouldn't worry about a new Honda and rust. |
Re: DIY Rust proofing the RSX (long)
In article <VGv_c.381$e%o1.187@news04.bloor.is.net.cable.roge rs.com>,
"Frank" <NOSPAM@NOSPAM.com> wrote: > I've also learn that > new Acura/Hondas are pretty good when it comes to rust protection > so perhaps Rust Proofing may not be that helpful. I bought a 92 Civic Si new; it's now in the hands of my nephew, and still shines and looks superb. A bubble of rust has finally started to appear on a rear wheel well. I wouldn't worry about a new Honda and rust. |
Re: DIY Rust proofing the RSX (long)
"Elmo P. Shagnasty" <elmop@nastydesigns.com> wrote in message news:elmop-CF9AB8.08175805092004@text.usenetserver.com... > In article > <VGv_c.381$e%o1.187@news04.bloor.is.net.cable.roge rs.com>, > "Frank" <NOSPAM@NOSPAM.com> wrote: > >> I've also learn that >> new Acura/Hondas are pretty good when it comes to rust >> protection >> so perhaps Rust Proofing may not be that helpful. > > I bought a 92 Civic Si new; it's now in the hands of my nephew, > and > still shines and looks superb. A bubble of rust has finally > started to > appear on a rear wheel well. > > I wouldn't worry about a new Honda and rust. Well. I am a hypochondria that lives in Ottawa. Here, they pour way too much salt on the road. It is not unuasual for cars to be all white in the winter, due to the salt. So, I told myself that it could not do anything bad, if anything, rust proofing *may be acceptable*. Plus, it was a nice long weekend project! F |
Re: DIY Rust proofing the RSX (long)
"Elmo P. Shagnasty" <elmop@nastydesigns.com> wrote in message news:elmop-CF9AB8.08175805092004@text.usenetserver.com... > In article > <VGv_c.381$e%o1.187@news04.bloor.is.net.cable.roge rs.com>, > "Frank" <NOSPAM@NOSPAM.com> wrote: > >> I've also learn that >> new Acura/Hondas are pretty good when it comes to rust >> protection >> so perhaps Rust Proofing may not be that helpful. > > I bought a 92 Civic Si new; it's now in the hands of my nephew, > and > still shines and looks superb. A bubble of rust has finally > started to > appear on a rear wheel well. > > I wouldn't worry about a new Honda and rust. Well. I am a hypochondria that lives in Ottawa. Here, they pour way too much salt on the road. It is not unuasual for cars to be all white in the winter, due to the salt. So, I told myself that it could not do anything bad, if anything, rust proofing *may be acceptable*. Plus, it was a nice long weekend project! F |
Re: DIY Rust proofing the RSX (long)
On Sun, 05 Sep 2004 13:07:33 GMT, "Frank" <NOSPAM@NOSPAM.com> wrote:
> >"Elmo P. Shagnasty" <elmop@nastydesigns.com> wrote in message >news:elmop-CF9AB8.08175805092004@text.usenetserver.com... >> In article >> <VGv_c.381$e%o1.187@news04.bloor.is.net.cable.roge rs.com>, >> "Frank" <NOSPAM@NOSPAM.com> wrote: >> >>> I've also learn that >>> new Acura/Hondas are pretty good when it comes to rust >>> protection >>> so perhaps Rust Proofing may not be that helpful. >> >> I bought a 92 Civic Si new; it's now in the hands of my nephew, >> and >> still shines and looks superb. A bubble of rust has finally >> started to >> appear on a rear wheel well. >> >> I wouldn't worry about a new Honda and rust. > >Well. I am a hypochondria that lives in Ottawa. Here, they pour >way too much salt on the road. It is not unuasual for cars to be >all white in the winter, due to the salt. So, I told myself that >it could not do anything bad, if anything, rust proofing *may be >acceptable*. Do you mean rust proofing by appying tarry stuff to the underside? Some say those coatings retain salt and water and speed rusting. >Plus, it was a nice long weekend project! Is a hypochondria a feminine hypochondriac? H. |
Re: DIY Rust proofing the RSX (long)
On Sun, 05 Sep 2004 13:07:33 GMT, "Frank" <NOSPAM@NOSPAM.com> wrote:
> >"Elmo P. Shagnasty" <elmop@nastydesigns.com> wrote in message >news:elmop-CF9AB8.08175805092004@text.usenetserver.com... >> In article >> <VGv_c.381$e%o1.187@news04.bloor.is.net.cable.roge rs.com>, >> "Frank" <NOSPAM@NOSPAM.com> wrote: >> >>> I've also learn that >>> new Acura/Hondas are pretty good when it comes to rust >>> protection >>> so perhaps Rust Proofing may not be that helpful. >> >> I bought a 92 Civic Si new; it's now in the hands of my nephew, >> and >> still shines and looks superb. A bubble of rust has finally >> started to >> appear on a rear wheel well. >> >> I wouldn't worry about a new Honda and rust. > >Well. I am a hypochondria that lives in Ottawa. Here, they pour >way too much salt on the road. It is not unuasual for cars to be >all white in the winter, due to the salt. So, I told myself that >it could not do anything bad, if anything, rust proofing *may be >acceptable*. Do you mean rust proofing by appying tarry stuff to the underside? Some say those coatings retain salt and water and speed rusting. >Plus, it was a nice long weekend project! Is a hypochondria a feminine hypochondriac? H. |
Re: DIY Rust proofing the RSX (long)
"Harry Cox" <Cox@SomeDomain.com> wrote in message news:p59mj0di7o1hen1ganm05a9p67avbq34i5@4ax.com... > On Sun, 05 Sep 2004 13:07:33 GMT, "Frank" <NOSPAM@NOSPAM.com> > wrote: > >> >>"Elmo P. Shagnasty" <elmop@nastydesigns.com> wrote in message >>news:elmop-CF9AB8.08175805092004@text.usenetserver.com... >>> In article >>> <VGv_c.381$e%o1.187@news04.bloor.is.net.cable.roge rs.com>, >>> "Frank" <NOSPAM@NOSPAM.com> wrote: >>> >>>> I've also learn that >>>> new Acura/Hondas are pretty good when it comes to rust >>>> protection >>>> so perhaps Rust Proofing may not be that helpful. >>> >>> I bought a 92 Civic Si new; it's now in the hands of my >>> nephew, >>> and >>> still shines and looks superb. A bubble of rust has finally >>> started to >>> appear on a rear wheel well. >>> >>> I wouldn't worry about a new Honda and rust. >> >>Well. I am a hypochondria that lives in Ottawa. Here, they pour >>way too much salt on the road. It is not unuasual for cars to >>be >>all white in the winter, due to the salt. So, I told myself >>that >>it could not do anything bad, if anything, rust proofing *may >>be >>acceptable*. > > Do you mean rust proofing by appying tarry stuff to the > underside? > Some say those coatings retain salt and water and speed > rusting. Oh no. Not the tar thing. I simply spray Rust Check (more of a light oil). >>Plus, it was a nice long weekend project! > > Is a hypochondria a feminine hypochondriac? Opps, mispelled word. Sorry > H. |
Re: DIY Rust proofing the RSX (long)
"Harry Cox" <Cox@SomeDomain.com> wrote in message news:p59mj0di7o1hen1ganm05a9p67avbq34i5@4ax.com... > On Sun, 05 Sep 2004 13:07:33 GMT, "Frank" <NOSPAM@NOSPAM.com> > wrote: > >> >>"Elmo P. Shagnasty" <elmop@nastydesigns.com> wrote in message >>news:elmop-CF9AB8.08175805092004@text.usenetserver.com... >>> In article >>> <VGv_c.381$e%o1.187@news04.bloor.is.net.cable.roge rs.com>, >>> "Frank" <NOSPAM@NOSPAM.com> wrote: >>> >>>> I've also learn that >>>> new Acura/Hondas are pretty good when it comes to rust >>>> protection >>>> so perhaps Rust Proofing may not be that helpful. >>> >>> I bought a 92 Civic Si new; it's now in the hands of my >>> nephew, >>> and >>> still shines and looks superb. A bubble of rust has finally >>> started to >>> appear on a rear wheel well. >>> >>> I wouldn't worry about a new Honda and rust. >> >>Well. I am a hypochondria that lives in Ottawa. Here, they pour >>way too much salt on the road. It is not unuasual for cars to >>be >>all white in the winter, due to the salt. So, I told myself >>that >>it could not do anything bad, if anything, rust proofing *may >>be >>acceptable*. > > Do you mean rust proofing by appying tarry stuff to the > underside? > Some say those coatings retain salt and water and speed > rusting. Oh no. Not the tar thing. I simply spray Rust Check (more of a light oil). >>Plus, it was a nice long weekend project! > > Is a hypochondria a feminine hypochondriac? Opps, mispelled word. Sorry > H. |
Re: DIY Rust proofing the RSX (long)
On Sun, 05 Sep 2004 13:07:33 GMT, "Frank" <NOSPAM@NOSPAM.com> wrote:
> >"Elmo P. Shagnasty" <elmop@nastydesigns.com> wrote in message >news:elmop-CF9AB8.08175805092004@text.usenetserver.com... >> In article >> <VGv_c.381$e%o1.187@news04.bloor.is.net.cable.roge rs.com>, >> "Frank" <NOSPAM@NOSPAM.com> wrote: >> >>> I've also learn that >>> new Acura/Hondas are pretty good when it comes to rust >>> protection >>> so perhaps Rust Proofing may not be that helpful. >> >> I bought a 92 Civic Si new; it's now in the hands of my nephew, >> and >> still shines and looks superb. A bubble of rust has finally >> started to >> appear on a rear wheel well. >> >> I wouldn't worry about a new Honda and rust. > >Well. I am a hypochondria that lives in Ottawa. Here, they pour >way too much salt on the road. It is not unuasual for cars to be >all white in the winter, due to the salt. So, I told myself that >it could not do anything bad, if anything, rust proofing *may be >acceptable*. > >Plus, it was a nice long weekend project! > >F > I'm taking a different approach with my new RSX. I'm not getting it rust protected aftermarket or DIY. At about the 6th/7th year I will start applying rust protection as that's when most cars start to rust. So I will choose an oil based product such as Oil Gard and have someone professionally apply it. I also live in Ontario. |
Re: DIY Rust proofing the RSX (long)
On Sun, 05 Sep 2004 13:07:33 GMT, "Frank" <NOSPAM@NOSPAM.com> wrote:
> >"Elmo P. Shagnasty" <elmop@nastydesigns.com> wrote in message >news:elmop-CF9AB8.08175805092004@text.usenetserver.com... >> In article >> <VGv_c.381$e%o1.187@news04.bloor.is.net.cable.roge rs.com>, >> "Frank" <NOSPAM@NOSPAM.com> wrote: >> >>> I've also learn that >>> new Acura/Hondas are pretty good when it comes to rust >>> protection >>> so perhaps Rust Proofing may not be that helpful. >> >> I bought a 92 Civic Si new; it's now in the hands of my nephew, >> and >> still shines and looks superb. A bubble of rust has finally >> started to >> appear on a rear wheel well. >> >> I wouldn't worry about a new Honda and rust. > >Well. I am a hypochondria that lives in Ottawa. Here, they pour >way too much salt on the road. It is not unuasual for cars to be >all white in the winter, due to the salt. So, I told myself that >it could not do anything bad, if anything, rust proofing *may be >acceptable*. > >Plus, it was a nice long weekend project! > >F > I'm taking a different approach with my new RSX. I'm not getting it rust protected aftermarket or DIY. At about the 6th/7th year I will start applying rust protection as that's when most cars start to rust. So I will choose an oil based product such as Oil Gard and have someone professionally apply it. I also live in Ontario. |
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