Preventing Rust

bronco2454 · October 23, 2008

I have a 1998 GMC 1500 that looks very nice. I would like to try to prevent it from rusting. It has not started to rust and I want to keep it that way. I live in MN and it will be daily driven and I since I live in an apartment no garge. Any tips or ideas is great. I have heard waxing works very well.

I really want to keep her looking like this. I feel this is the best body style of truck.

MbpsychoSS · October 28, 2008

Rust starts underneath .....................a good under coating will go a long way , those chrome trim wheel well are a prime candidate for rust .

Zembonez · October 29, 2008

A good coat of paint or undercoating on everything exposed underneath is good. Externally, a good coat of wax will keep small chips filled and prevent "starting places" for rust. I'd remove the chrome over the fenders and spray cosmoline spray where they go and reinstall them. The should be removed and cleaned behind anyway. Dirt, salt, and gunk will be built up there... inviting rust.

All you do will at least slow down the rust. Keeping bare metal from the lements is about 75% of the battle. Good cleaning habits are the rest.

pennzoil29 · October 29, 2008

Mark and Jim are both correct, however, living in salt prone areas such as you and I do, it's a hard battle. I've washed & waxed mine so many times, but still can't win the battle. The cab is in good shape, with the exception of the bottom of the drivers side door, but my utility bed is another story. I'm considering getting rid of it, and getting a regular long bed. Good luck. I like your truck, and for some reason, I even like that snazzy striping on the side.

zxcv · November 11, 2008

It's pretty much impossible to prevent rust... you can always "delay" the rust by washing the salt and grime off it all the time.

hott327z71 · March 16, 2012

USED MOTOR OIL!! Damp an old sock with a little bit of used oil and rub it along the bottom of all your doors. (where the metal rolls upwards). I did this living in MN on a brand new 05 tahoe and 5 years later not the first bubble anywhere on my doors after 100,000 miles.

WRS_Mark · March 16, 2012

Besides what has already been mentioned, I have started using rubberized rocker panel paint to seal up known areas where salt and grime can accumulate. And yeah, the metal under those chrome strips will likely be the first place you will see bubbles appear.