About Rust Prevention

So, you’ve decided to rust proof your vehicle and you're thinking about getting Rust Arrest to apply a coating. This guide is here to help you figure out if it’s the right choice for you. We'll cover what it's good at, how it compares to other rust proofing undercoatings, and how it measures up in terms of cost.

Can your rust proofing be applied directly on surface rust?

The reason rust is traditionally hard to stop is because coatings have to do two things: soak in and remove the causes of corrosion (like moisture and air) and seal the surface. Rusty surfaces are rough, unlike smooth freshly prepared steel. So, you need a coating that’s thin enough to get into all the nooks and crannies of the rust and metal, sealing them up, but also thick enough to cover the peaks of the metal that will still rust if left exposed. We use Dynax UB and Dynax-S50 by Bilt Hamber which is by far the best rust proofing we've come across.

Will this prevent bolts and fixings seizing?

Absolutely, and it's probably the biggest cost-saving benefit you'll get from using these coatings. Being able to work on your vehicle without every nut and bolt putting up a fight is fantastic. The slow cure time helps with this because it allows the coating to creep into tight spots. For the best results, the coating needs to be atomised so it gets behind the fittings too. That's why using air compressors and spray guns gives us a better and more effective finish compared to DIY handheld spray bottles, which tend to dribble and flood any cavities. This way you protect not just the bottom but also the sides and top of the cavities.

How long can I expect this coating to last?

It really depends on how you use your vehicle. Some are just summer toys kept in a garage, while others are out working on a farm and getting covered in mud every day so its hard to say. but for an average road vehicle doing maybe 10,000 to 15,000 miles a year we suggest checking the underside of the vehicle every 12 months and topping up high impact areas as needed

A lot of people recommend wax oil—so how does it stack up?

Let’s break it down, wax oil can last between 2 to 4 years if applied correctly, with touch-ups often needed. However it requires a lot more prep work, like pressure washing, steam cleaning, and prepping the metal work. That’s why a professional wax oil treatment can set you back at least £700. It’s definitely a solid option, but if the prep work isn’t done right or the coating is too thin, moisture can get underneath causing it to corrode even more and flake off not lasting long at all. So if you’re considering wax oil, be cautious of places offering it cheaply and make sure you pick a reputable provider. Paints and wax oil's tend to flake over time and let moisture in which will spread underneath the coating, the coatings we use don't have this issue as they stay waxy and flexible so don't flake off overtime.

Why choose rust arrest mobile rust proofing

It's convenient, we come to you saving you money in fuel and the inconvenience of waiting around for hours at garage while the work is done. It's cost effective, we don't have the overheads and rent of a unit so we can offer the service cheaper than most of our competitors. We are passionate about what we do, having owned Land Rovers, pickup trucks and being classic car enthusiasts we want to keep these vehicles on the road for as long as possible.

What to expect on the day

The time taken will vary between 2 and 6 hours depending on the package selected and the size of the vehicle. We do require access to a socket to plug an extension lead into. If any vehicles are parked next to the vehicle that is going to be rust proofed, they should ideally be moved to avoid any over spray landing on the paintwork. If the vehicle is used off road and the underside is coated in mud you will need to pressure wash the mud off at least 24 hours before. If the weather is dry the vehicle can be driven straight after but if it's raining or there is standing water then we recommend leaving the vehicle 24 hours before driving to avoid any of the undercoating being washed off. We also recommend that after we have finished that you park your vehicle off your driveway for 24 hours to avoid any of the product dripping and staining the floor. It is important to note that we wouldn't be able to complete a rust proofing in severe wet weather - if this was to happen we would rearrange to another convenient time to ensure we can complete the rust proofing to the highest of standards.

If you have any other questions feel free to get in touch!