Electronic rust prevention?

[m240]

Does anyone have any expieriance with any electronic rust prevention systems. I've seen them on television shows and advertised on the internet and I was wondering if it really works or is it one of those things to good to be true. After putting new floorboards in my car and repainting it I just don't want to do it again.

Thanks for any feedback!

Mark

[Alfadog]

I had one on my Zed for around a year, however when I put it on the car was already rusty.

I believe it slowed down the rust, but didn't stop it all together. However, if you put one on a car without rust, then I think it would make it very hard for rust to start.

I'd recommend it, but it is still a lot of money... keep in mind how long you plan on keeping the car I guess...

[Gee]

I read somewhere that it was all a crock of sh*t and was based around the science of a ship using a piece of metal suspended in the water.. Have you thought of applying some sort of waxoyl or fish oil instead?

[Z Kid]

I believe it would work to an extent, but then so does bolting on a sacrificial zinc anode (used on boats etc) the come in various strealined sizes, and I am sure you could hide a few away somewhere

[blitzkraig]

I was researching this topic a while back. There are a few companies that sell these items for cars that are based on the same system used on boats. However these don't work on cars because one of the main elements that allows it to work on boats, the sea water, is not present on cars. However the E.R.P.S. company system has been modified in such a way that the paint of the car is used to help protect instead of the sea water. It's all very confusing but sounds legit I guess. I'm not sure if I'm going to get it for my Z when I'm done or not yet.

[Victor Laury]

However these don't work on cars because one of the main elements that allows it to work on boats, the sea water, is not present on cars

Exactly. These systems would work great, If you stored your car in the bottom of the lake. Or buried in mud. Sacrificial anode and impressed current cathodic protection require a conductive media (soil, water) to work. Like a continuous, slow zinc plating operation, material from the anode is constantly being transferred to the surface of the steel.

[Mr Camouflage]

The best way to stop your car rusting is keep it waxed. and as soon as you get a stone chip, fix it.

As long as you can keep oxygen away from the metal it wont rust.

The only way to stop it rusting completely is store it in a total vacuum. but thats impractical. hmm cars dont rust in outersapce.

[m240]

So these systems are to good to be true! Thanks for all the feedback! I wouldn't mind spending a couple of $$ on it if it worked, but I guess keeping a good coat of wax on it is still the best way to go.

Thanks,

Mark

[baddriver]

No, These systems don't work. For a full explanation of why, check out the straight dope or howstuffworks.com. search for sacrificial anode.

The best way to keep your car from rusting, is to store it out of the rain. Everyone knows that winter driving will ruin a car, especially if it is driven in an area that salts the roads. But many people don't understand the important role that weather stripping, washing the undercarriage, and checking the drain holes all play in protecting a cars finish. Waxing and repairing rock chips are good advice, but that will only stop exterior surface rust. The real killer of cars is the rust that forms on the interior of panels. Ziebart and other rust protection coatings applied to the underside and interior panels will help, but too many times these coatings also plug the drain holes that allow water to escape from the panels. Add to this problem bad weatherstripping that allows water to get into the fenders and crevices all over the car, and you have a combination that will destroy an older car in a few short years.

The best protection is to keep your car dry, store it indoors, install good weatherstripping, clean the underside, check the drain holes, and if you already have rust, THOROUGHLY remove it and repair it. Make sure to paint the interior side, and when you have panels off the car, make sure every visible surface has a good coat of paint. In short, take good car of your car, and keep an eye on it. Don't wait for rust to become visible, seek it out and destroy it.

[blitzkraig]

Don't wait for rust to become visible, seek it out and destroy it.

HAHA! SEEK AND DESTROY.....love that phrase

anyway, when I was researching I came across this company which may have a good electronic system. Check out their info to see why they claim it works better than the standard systems

http://www.erps.com.au/index_erps.html

[Alfadog]

That's the one I had.