Rust on your vehicle is usually caused by a combination of moisture, oxygen, and road salt — all of which are super common in places like Manitoba. Here’s a breakdown of why your car might be rusting and what you can do about it:
🌧️ 1. Exposure to Moisture
- Rain, snow, and humidity provide the moisture rust needs to form.
- Even washing your car and not drying it properly can leave moisture trapped in seams or under trim.
🧂 2. Road Salt in Winter
- Salt is great for melting ice — but terrible for metal.
- It accelerates the rusting process by lowering the activation energy for corrosion.
- Salt gets into tiny cracks and scratches and stays there, especially if not washed off regularly.
🧹 3. Scratches, Chips, or Dents
- When your paint is damaged, bare metal is exposed.
- Without that protective paint layer, moisture and oxygen can go straight to work.
- Small rock chips or door dings can become rust hotspots fast.
🔩 4. Poor Drainage or Trapped Moisture
- Clogged drain holes (especially in doors or rocker panels) can trap water.
- If water can’t escape, it pools and speeds up rusting from the inside out.
🏗️ 5. Age & Wear
- Older vehicles, or ones that haven’t been maintained, naturally develop more wear and tear.
- Older undercoatings may have worn off, exposing the metal underneath.
🧪 6. Substandard or Aftermarket Repairs
- If collision repairs were done without proper sealing or OEM parts, water may seep in behind panels or through poor welds.
👎 7. Lack of Protection
- No rustproofing or undercoating
- Not washing your car in winter (especially the undercarriage)
- Not addressing chips or scratches early
🚫 How to Fight It:
- Wash regularly, especially in winter
- Touch up paint chips ASAP
- Get undercoating or rustproofing (especially in places like Manitoba)
- Inspect drains and seams
- Dry your car well after washing
