To rust proof or not, that is the question

[BadgerMazda]

Hey All, I just bought a 2013 Mazda5 and have been thinking of having the bottom and side interior panels rustproofed. It is a one time cost of $300. Is this worth doing or not? Have the older models held up against rust?

 

[daan]

I have an 06 "5", it was never proofed (originally delivered in NC but traded in in St Paul before it was a year old). It's lived 99% of it's life in MN/WI, driven year-round and maybe washed 3 times a year. it's nearly to 150K and the ONLY spot it's rusting is the bottom corner of the driver's door. And I think that only got rusty because the door drains got plugged with something (I used one of those fuzzy pipe-cleaners to open the drain holes back up when I realized the door was full of water)
THe 5's seem pretty good at holding up against the salt around here. If you wash your 5 more than my spouse did when she had ours I'm sure yours will hold up just fine.
I don't want to get into my "rust proofing rip-off rant" but after having multiple older cars where we live, without rust-proofing and not having an issue with them rusting out I don't see it as really worth the $. Just wash your car often and it'll live longer in the salt.

 

[Silentnoise713]

...Just wash your car often and it'll live longer in the salt.

Ditto. If you care for you car, you don’t need rust proofing. If you treat it as a bastard child, then it is worth considering. It also depends on your region. Does your county use a lot of salt or a mix solution? I looked into this a while back. Another debatable benefit is that the coating adds a thin layer of insulation from rock/road debris compare to the bare metal undercarriage. Makes logical sense but not sure how practical it works in the real world. Also, a proper undercarriage treatment request removing parts for thorough coverage =$. If it is a $300 job, it’s prob just an aero spay equivalent that you can buy and do yourself. Take the car to a car wash that offers undercarriage wash. Let dry and spray away. I do have a can of Wesley undercarriage spray that I shoot at certain joints.

 

[BadgerMazda]

Ditto. If you care for you car, you dont need rust proofing. If you treat it as a bastard child, then it is worth considering. It also depends on your region. Does your county use a lot of salt or a mix solution? I looked into this a while back. Another debatable benefit is that the coating adds a thin layer of insulation from rock/road debris compare to the bare metal undercarriage. Makes logical sense but not sure how practical it works in the real world. Also, a proper undercarriage treatment request removing parts for thorough coverage =$. If it is a $300 job, its prob just an aero spay equivalent that you can buy and do yourself. Take the car to a car wash that offers undercarriage wash. Let dry and spray away. I do have a can of Wesley undercarriage spray that I shoot at certain joints.

Thanks for the replies Gents, I am pretty particular about taking care of my autos, but I live in Wisconsin and they are now using that mix solution which I have heard is even worse than salt. That do it yourself with Wesley's may be a great option. Thanks again.