Rust Protection\Prevention

[halojump Member Find all posts View Profile Close halojump]

Hi, first post to the forum and all…

Anyways, I am working through the process with my Toyota dealer, putting together a deal on a new (Powder White) D4D GXL 5AT (w\ Option Pack) and I wanted some advice.

I know a little about how modern vehicles are made and the fairly good level of galvanising\coating etc that goes into the process and I’m of the belief that the only real way a modern vehicle can rust is through some perforation of the coatings.

Am I totally wrong on this? Is getting some kind of rust protection worth it? I’d be in QLD, so the vehicle will be on the beach and in the bush when off-road and will be my daily driver to\from and for work.

If I go down the road of Rust Prevention, what’s a better option (from peoples experience here), the electronic ones (and are some better or worse than others) or the coatings?

I had an electronic unit on my Pajero a few years back and in the 4 years of ownership it didn’t rust. I just not certain it was because of the rust prevention device or the vehicle build quality. I took the vehicle to Fraser twice a year on average and regularly to Moreton Is.

[HGMonaro Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close HGMonaro]

1st, welcome!

I'm of the opinion that rust prevention is probably not worth it. As you point out about your Paj, did it do anything or not... hard to tell isn't it. I don't think you'd know in 4 years, maybe 20 or so. If you don't keep your vehicles until they rust out (how long would that be these days?) then it can be an issue.

Same goes for exterior protection products (eg. Ming, etc). Do you keep your cars long enough for it to matter. I had a red Nissan Pulsar once that I had that applied to at time of purchase, and I reckon it was the only one of them that hadn't faded so I sort of like that stuff! Didn't get it on the Prado though.

Cheers, Nige

[jamesy Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close jamesy]

Hi Halojump

I'm in same boat as you and recently took delivery of a 07 D4D GXL 5sp Auto (and it's fantastic.... best vehicle I have owned to date).

One thing I would recommend is you shop around for your rust protection. The dealer offered me a deal that included electronic rust protection with paint and fabric protection for $2700 which seemed pretty steep. As it turns out you are paying luxury car tax (25%) on these 'accessories' if you include it in your original purchase from them. If you want the dealer to provide these things get them to do it separately from the purchase but on the day you are to take delivery - when I questioned them about doing this they looked a bit sheepish and said they should not be doing it that way and then told me that if I did it that way I could get it for $2100.

I ended up going aftermarket and getting paint/fabric/rust protection (both underbody and electronic) together with window tinting for $1100 (and put the money I saved towards a roof mounted drop down DVD player which keeps the kids happy on the way to where ever we are going).

By the way, I was told by a couple of places that the privacy glass on the rear windows of the Prado has no UV or heat block out properties and recommed you get a clear film which will do this for you.

Hope this helps.

[halojump Member Find all posts View Profile Close halojump]

Thanks for the reply. I am looking into an after market solution; The dealer markup is pretty ridiculous.

WRT Window Tint, I have an 07 RAV4 (that is soon to be the wife's car) that has the rear privacy glass, I got 3M metallic tint on the driver and front passenger and semi-clear UV tint @ the rear to cover the privacy glass.

@36 I have already had a few sun cancers chopped\frozen\lasered\chemically burnt out of me so good tinting is a top priority for me.

I tend to shop around, the Ming (AutoOne) and 3M stuff have worked best for me in the past.