Rust protection?

[McCaesar]

Normally, dealers will try to upsell you on rust protection and other add-ons, but there's no dealer to upsell.

I'll be getting Xpel PPF and CeramicPro, but do I need to think about rust protection too, especially in all the winter salt conditions?

 

[Veedio]

Normally, dealers will try to upsell you on rust protection and other add-ons, but there's no dealer to upsell.

I'll be getting Xpel PPF and CeramicPro, but do I need to think about rust protection too, especially in all the winter salt conditions?

I was wondering the same. Anyone have thoughts on this?

 

[Tony_YYZ]

Honestly, I don't think it's needed for modern cars. I've not rust proofed any of my cars in the last decade+. The key is to wash them regularly and not let the salt sit too long on it in weather above 0 degrees.

 

[Veedio]

Honestly, I don't think it's needed for modern cars. I've not rust proofed any of my cars in the last decade+. The key is to wash them regularly and not let the salt sit too long on it in weather above 0 degrees.

I would normally agree and I haven't had any of my cars rust proofed over the past 15 years or so. But there have been comments in other threads that Tesla either has a poor or no corrosion warranty so it left me a bit concerned.

EDIT: Apparently the corrosion warranty is 4 years, 80,000 km. There's a thread at M3OC. That's not very long for those of us who intend to keep the car for a long time.

 

[Alby]

It has definitely a problem for the last couple cards I have had. If the M3 is to last 15-20 years, I don't want the body falling apart when everything else is still running great.

 

[Acho]

Tesla is aluminum so no rust

 

[DSJ]

Tesla is aluminum so no rust

The Model 3 is a mix of aluminum and steel. I'll likely have mine rustproofed.

 

[Veedio]

Tesla is aluminum so no rust

Pretty sure the Model 3 is a different composition to the S and X. More steel than either of those.

 

[McCaesar]

Tesla is aluminum so no rust

The S and X are aluminum, but the 3 is a mix of steel and aluminum,

Tesla Model 3: here’s the alloy mix of the Model 3 body

There were some older maybe isolated reports of rust on Model 3 but haven't seen a systemic problem reported.

 

[McCaesar]

The Model 3 is a mix of aluminum and steel. I'll likely have mine rustproofed.

Is your plan to use Rust Check or other provider?

 

[DSJ]

Is your plan to use Rust Check or other provider?

Yeah I think I'll look into Rust Check and Krown towards the end of the summer. IIRC, they drill access holes so they can coat the interior of door panels. I'm going to look at the Model 3 when I pick mine up to see what kind of access is available. Definitely don't want any holes drilled.

 

[McCaesar]

Yeah I think I'll look into Rust Check and Krown towards the end of the summer. IIRC, they drill access holes so they can coat the interior of door panels. I'm going to look at the Model 3 when I pick mine up to see what kind of access is available. Definitely don't want any holes drilled.

Thanks. I agree about the holes!

 

[03DSG]

I’ve used Krown for years on cars that I winter drive. I get them sprayed when new and then every couple of years after. I let them drill the doors, rockers and quarter panels, basically 8 holes. The holes have never rusted. I do my own touch-ups with a spray can of Krown. Great lube for hinges etc.

Our ‘98 Civic we sold in ‘14 was mint. Zero rust. Lived outside it’s whole life. Worst areas are steel lower door seams, rockers, quarter panel wheel wells and trunk lips.

I’m not going to drive the 3 much in the winter and then only on clear roads so I may pass. We’ll see how it plays out.

 

[Vawlkus]

I’m not interested in finding out the hard way. My X has Krown undercoating and I’ll be refreshing that every year.

 

[agloutney]

I just use ACF-50. It’s for aluminum aircraft. It comes in a spray can and I shoot it everywhere underneath and in the suspension parts. Also it’s safe on electronics so I’ve sprayed small amounts into my door handles and they’re still working fine which is pretty good for a 2014 Model S.