Jimny rust proofing

Hi Chaps.

I'm due to take delivery of a Jimny in about 3-4 weeks. and I guess the question is. as its new, i've got the chance to give the body as good protection as i can from rust for the future years (cars are expensive, and it will have to last lol)

ordinarily, i would waxoyl it, but im just wondering if there is an established rustproofing process that people have used before, or suitable products folks are willing to recommend?

would also be useful to know the rust prone spots, as i was lucky with bot of my Vitaras that they were rust free.

cheers in advance.

Paul.

It should have some rudimentary protection already.

There used to be businesses that would treat your motorbike, by spraying that magic purple anti-corrosion oil inside the cavities, can't for the life of me remember what it is, but I've got a bottle of it somewhere.

I'd be inclined to spray that inside the chassis and box sections if I had a new one.


Most important is to keep the underside clean, and not drive it near the coast.

thanks Bud,

I'm probably going to (for once) discipline myself into giving it a good waxoyl before the winter each year as well to keep the salt out. would rather put a bit of effort in early on to save some pain later.

cheers.
Paul.

You would need to give the underside a thorough wash before adding waxoil as that will seal any muck or the like in. So unless you have a ramp and wet gear I would think about the cost of getting it done professionally!

thanks Mick,

to be honest i was thinking of getting a pro to do it, at least first time round.

I personally think its worthwhile, as i was surprised, given their outwardly immaculate appearance, that Jimny's are prone to rusting, not something id thought about, as both of my vits were rust free.

Paul.

That Magic Fluid I was thinking of is ACF-50

If you are getting it new it should be clean enough inside the box sections, doors and so on to make it ready to do. If you have a compressor etc. then it is a DIY job and you can hit it where it needs it the most. Any protection is going to have to prolong it's life and with 4x4s the idea is to keep them for 20 years isn't it. Even if you find you don't like it the work done must help resale.

I keep saying this but to my mind the rot starts from the inside. Pressure washing is a must especially in winter with the salting but you don't pressure was inside your rear door every week do you. If you can't access the cavity, water can.

Good luck.

There does not seem to be any rhyme nor reason for certain cars to rot. I have not long bought a soft top 2001(the soft top at the rear in a right old state due to the zips being broke, the Velcro finished and age making it brittle) but the dreaded rot is not as rampant as you would expect. The usual repair to the well in the back and two minor rust scabs on the floor but underneath is clear as well as behind the headlights and front crossmember. It had been offroaded and not cleaned but all in all I am pleased. Yet you see models a lot younger in a right old state. This one has had a good covering of sorts(not wax oil more like a stone chip) which appears to have been applied correctly and has covered the whole underside. Unlike my daughters 2001 hardtop upon which the front 2/3 had the same covering but the rear third above the fuel tank and axle had not and the floor needed sorting out. Even the paint had not been up to much in that area! So it is a bit of a lottery really. If I was going to buy a new one and going to keep it I would have all the box sections waxoiled and the underneath stone chipped professionally.

mickt wrote: There does not seem to be any rhyme nor reason for certain cars to rot. I have not long bought a soft top 2001(the soft top at the rear in a right old state due to the zips being broke, the Velcro finished and age making it brittle) but the dreaded rot is not as rampant as you would expect. The usual repair to the well in the back and two minor rust scabs on the floor but underneath is clear as well as behind the headlights and front crossmember. It had been offroaded and not cleaned but all in all I am pleased. Yet you see models a lot younger in a right old state. This one has had a good covering of sorts(not wax oil more like a stone chip) which appears to have been applied correctly and has covered the whole underside. Unlike my daughters 2001 hardtop upon which the front 2/3 had the same covering but the rear third above the fuel tank and axle had not and the floor needed sorting out. Even the paint had not been up to much in that area! So it is a bit of a lottery really. If I was going to buy a new one and going to keep it I would have all the box sections waxoiled and the underneath stone chipped professionally.

Thanks Mick,

much the same as I'm thinking, I have requested a quote from one firm. but if anyone has a recommended pro for the job, please pass on the name.

cheers
Paul.

helijohn wrote: If you are getting it new it should be clean enough inside the box sections, doors and so on to make it ready to do. If you have a compressor etc. then it is a DIY job and you can hit it where it needs it the most. Any protection is going to have to prolong it's life and with 4x4s the idea is to keep them for 20 years isn't it. Even if you find you don't like it the work done must help resale.

I keep saying this but to my mind the rot starts from the inside. Pressure washing is a must especially in winter with the salting but you don't pressure was inside your rear door every week do you. If you can't access the cavity, water can.

Good luck.

thanks John, that's what I put to the Wife, if we spend a little more now, it will pay back later on in either less work repairing corrosion, or a greater sales residual.

wish more people had done it with landrover Discoveries................. lol

Paul.

Paul_sterling wrote: thanks John, that's what I put to the Wife, if we spend a little more now, it will pay back later on
Paul.

I just sold my '96 Rav4 which was a Japanese import. I have had a few from Japan. When I Waxoyled it like I always do to my motors (I must be keeping Hammerite afloat ) just like the others it was pristine underneath and also in the hidden cavities. The only difference I can think of is that we use salt on our roads. Generally I do it to try to inhibit the spread of rust as I did to my Jimny (though very good for its age was in need of doing just in the nick of time I can tell you) as the cars I get are are elderly and well rusty but with the Japanese ones - like your new one - it was more of a preventative measure than curative.

helijohn wrote:

Paul_sterling wrote: thanks John, that's what I put to the Wife, if we spend a little more now, it will pay back later on
Paul.

I just sold my '96 Rav4 which was a Japanese import. I have had a few from Japan. When I Waxoyled it like I always do to my motors (I must be keeping Hammerite afloat ) just like the others it was pristine underneath and also in the hidden cavities. The only difference I can think of is that we use salt on our roads. Generally I do it to try to inhibit the spread of rust as I did to my Jimny (though very good for its age was in need of doing just in the nick of time I can tell you) as the cars I get are are elderly and well rusty but with the Japanese ones - like your new one - it was more of a preventative measure than curative.

thanks John,

in Japan, the proximity to the pacific ocean means they have a generally above zero climate, and don't use salt. my Disco is a 1996 Import, and is good for its age, but the previous owner who had it was a clown, and used it on the beach, so I have had to do some repairs to it, but for the most part, it is in good condition.

the environment in Japan is interesting, especially for Mazda MX5 owners. importing MX5's has been very popular for years, but a lot of people forget to rust proof them when they arrive. new cars in Japan don't have anywhere near the protection that those intended for the euro/US market do (as they don't need it), but when imported over here, they need protecting, or they can dissolve very quickly. some importing companies do it by default (but charge for the service in on the sale price).

Paul.