They call it the 'Rustbelt' for a reason - because, in the McHenry area, rust eats away at your car, truck or SUV. What can you do about it?

What can you do to fight back?

Ahhhhh, it’s a new year. A fresh start. Another chance to achieve your goals. Unfortunately, as McHenry is this far into the Northern Hemisphere, it’s also a chance for rust to take a bigger and bigger bite out of your car, truck or SUV.

The battle with rust is inevitable. Rust is iron oxide caused by a chemical reaction when water, oxygen and iron (and other metals). That chemical reaction is transformative; it transforms iron and metals from their solid form into a crusty, flaky, dusty brownish-reddish substance that is unstable – unstable in that it is easily broken apart.

The chemical reaction described above IS attacking your vehicle. And the reason that the location of McHenry in the Northern Hemisphere is critical because the conditions that promote that chemical reaction are never more prevalent than during our winters.

It’s not just that snow, ice, and slush cling to your vehicle more than rainwater; it’s also that the moisture is combined with roadsalt that acts as a catalyst speeding the chemical reaction that causes rust. This is part of the reason that the longitudes that run through this area are part of what has been called “The Rust Belt.”

The chemical reaction that causes rust is so pervasive that, given the opportunity, and sufficient time, it will eat your car, truck or SUV away to a dusty iron-oxide residue. But, that rust is actually attacking more than just the metal structure of your vehicle.

Rust is also attacking the resale value of your car, truck or SUV

Think about it: you’re looking to buy a vehicle and it has rust behind the tires, possibly with holes poking through. What effect would this have on your willingness to buy such a vehicle and/or how much you would be willing to spend? 

Certainly, your reaction to rust on a vehicle you consider buying is significant. That being the case, it will have the same effect on someone who considers buying your vehicle, or how much you’ll get when trading in your car, truck or SUV on a new vehicle.

All of this makes a strong argument for protecting your vehicle from rust. But what can you do?

The first thing you can do is to be aware of the problem. That’s what we’ve hoped to accomplish here – creating awareness. Rust doesn’t sleep and your dedication to fighting rust needs to be equal in tenacity.

The best way to fight rust is with a frequent bath. In other words, take your car, truck or SUV through the carwash with regularity during the winter, particularly after a snowstorm or winter condition that involves higher levels of ice, slush, snow, and roadsalt clinging to your vehicle. 

And when you take the vehicle through the carwash, have the underside of your vehicle cleaned and waxed/sealed. Think about it as though there’s a voracious animal here in McHenry waiting for any chance to chew on your car, truck or SUV. Clean away the ingredients that tempt that hound and your vehicle will appreciate it for a long time to come.