Tips on preventing rust.

[Jessescott]

I have a 1970 Beetle. Never been reprayed and is completely rust free. I live by the coast. How can I keep it rust free?? besides the obvious keeping in the garage.

Jesse

[Cyndi Kritzinger]

HI JESSE.
DRY CLEAN/WASH IF POSSIBLE IE. DUST RATHER THAN USE WATER.
SPRAY ALL DOUBLE PANELS, SEAMS AND BASES WITH TECTYL.
IF YOU WASH THE CAR USING THE STD CARWASH IN A BUCKET METHOD, ADD A CUP OF PARAFIN TO THE MIX.
SPRAY THE INSIDE OF YOUR BUMPERS AND HUBCAPS WITH TECTYL AND WAX POLISH OR LANOLIN THE OUTSIDE. SAME WITH YOUR MIRRORS.

YOU WILL PROBABLY NEVER COMPLETELY STOP THE RUST AT THE COAST (THAT'S IF YOU ARE ACTUALLY USING THE CAR) BUT YOU CAN SLOW IT DOWN.

MARK

[Cyndi Kritzinger]

I DID FORGET ONE OTHER THING I WOULD SERIOUSLY CONSIDER.
IN THE CHANNELS RUNNING DOWN NEXT TO THE BACK WINDSCREEN, ADJACENT TO THE GRILL, THERE ARE NORMALLY SOME SPONGE TYPE BLOCKS INSERTED (I'M NOT SURE WHY THEY ARE THERE, PERHAPS TO TRAP FUMES OR SOME KIND OF NOISE REDUCTION?) BUT THESE TRAP MOISTURE AND WILL START RUSTING THE CAR FROM INSIDE OUT.
I WOULD REMOVE THEM IF I WERE YOU.

[retrovan]

Never put the baby to bed wet........

Applys to your beetle as well, if you wash her, take it for a spin and make sure all is dry, or do it in the morning, and park car in sun with windows open.

Herman

[fig]

What everyone said above.

Here are mine, which may or may not be practical for you:
1. Move away from the sea (or at least never park the car where it will be exposed to salt spray, never carry surfboards or wet wetsuits in or on your car, and never, ever drive your car in the sea or salt water)
2. Never wash your car with water; only use a damp cloth
3. Never take your car out in the rain
4. Ensure that all drain holes in doors and box sections are always clear and there is no dust build-up inside the box sections

It's not practical to keep your daily driver out of the rain, but valuable classics should never be exposed to water. It seeps in behind window and other rubbers, and sits in the bottom of doors and box sections, often for weeks, before it dries.

Rust never sleeps.