Why Do New Cars Rust?

"Jack Does Cars" (jackdoescars)
06/24/2016 at 17:32 • Filed to: None

I am currently in Des Moines, IA, famous for being the capital of Chrysler Town and Countrys with rusted through rockers. Honestly, most of the vehicles here have their fare share of rust on them, and that even includes this newer GMC Sierra.

It’s hard to make out, but those dark marks on the front bumper are actually rust holes. At this point, I thought American manufacturers were done with not rust-proofing their vehicles so they would, you know, actually last more than 37 minutes.

DISCUSSION (29)

Bman76 (no it doesn't need a WS6 hood) M. Arch > Jack Does Cars
06/24/2016 at 17:41

I’m surprised that’s metal, I’d have guessed plastic.

Pickup_man > Jack Does Cars
06/24/2016 at 17:45

That’s not all that bad, looks like it’s due to rock chips, lack of care, and most importantly road salt, and lots of it. What’s worse is I’ve seen GMC’s and Chevy’s of this generation with wheel wells that are already rusted nearly through, my dad’s 09 F-150 already has rotten cab corners as well. Shockingly the 09+ Rams seem to be holding up pretty well.

I agree that it’s pretty sad that manufactures still don’t have very good rust-proofing methods, which is why my next truck will be a Ford (it was going to be anyway, the aluminum is just pure sweet bonus).

Takuro Spirit > Jack Does Cars
06/24/2016 at 17:51

Its not for lack of rustproofing, in that bumper’s defense. It probably got pelted with rocks, chipping away the paint, and whatever lied beneath it, letting the rusting process begin.

As far as rockers? Salt has a way of making its way into places that it cannot be removed from.

#BanRoadSalt

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > Jack Does Cars
06/24/2016 at 17:53

My guess is it’s a result of Magnesium Chloride liquid ice melt. They use that shit everywhere now days.

My bird IS the word > Jack Does Cars
06/24/2016 at 17:55

Because hot dip galvanization is expensive yo! I had a beater Porsche 944 without a speck of rust because it was galvanized.

Junkrat aka Rick Sanchez: Fury Road Edition > Jack Does Cars
06/24/2016 at 18:09

I remember watching an ErictheCarGuy video of him looking at a used truck. It was a newer truck and he was talking about the rust issues. Luckily rust is not an issue where I live. I’ve got a 73 still with perfect sheet metal other than a little surface rust.

Jack Does Cars > Bman76 (no it doesn't need a WS6 hood) M. Arch
06/24/2016 at 18:12

Other than Colorados and stuff, most truck bumpers are made of metal, which is a good thing because truck.

Jack Does Cars > Takuro Spirit
06/24/2016 at 18:14

States like Washington and Colorado, both of which have plenty of snow, have banned road salt because they know it is absolutely terrible and more expensive.

Jcarr > Jack Does Cars
06/24/2016 at 18:15

Are you sure that part is metal? I would be quite surprised if it was. The whole front facscia are of my 2004 Envoy is plastic.

Jack Does Cars > Junkrat aka Rick Sanchez: Fury Road Edition
06/24/2016 at 18:16

I live in NC, but am in Iowa for a wedding, so I can relate with not having to worry about rust. My neighbor has a 1967 Chevrolet C10 with 600,000 miles on the body. It’s clean.

Jack Does Cars > My bird IS the word
06/24/2016 at 18:17

Galvanization is key.

Bman76 (no it doesn't need a WS6 hood) M. Arch > Jack Does Cars
06/24/2016 at 18:17

Eh, with them being so flush, and really just being a bumper cover at this point I’d just go to plastic for the front.

Jack Does Cars > Pickup_man
06/24/2016 at 18:18

The Toyota trucks also have no rust issues, but I have noticed that the Rams have been holding up great.

Birddog > Jack Does Cars
06/24/2016 at 18:38

Rock chips, gravel roads, salt and Farm chemicals. Rustproofing won’t defeat that stuff.

Dear Moines? Hell you’re only a hop, skip and 181 minutes from me! Come on over..

Birddog > Jack Does Cars
06/24/2016 at 18:38

Rock chips, gravel roads, salt and Farm chemicals. Rustproofing won’t defeat that stuff.

Des Moines? Hell you’re only a hop, skip and 181 minutes from me! Come on over..

Daily Drives a Dragon - One Last Lap > Jack Does Cars
06/24/2016 at 19:52

Old Toyotas grow speed holes when they look at water.

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > Jack Does Cars
06/24/2016 at 22:28

The funny thing is I live in northern Wi and people will go to Iowa to get rust free, or at least less rusted cars. Like my wife’s 2001 Cavalier it was brought up here in 2009 rust free, and the rocker panels feel off in 2015. But it still had less rust than most Cavaliers up here,

GUYMANDUDE > Jack Does Cars
06/24/2016 at 22:41

PRO TIP: You don’t need to wash your vehicle in the winter because it will just get dirty again.

Jack Does Cars > Daily Drives a Dragon - One Last Lap
06/24/2016 at 22:43

Yeah, I see. Thankfully NC Toyotas are super clean. Iowa trucks/4Runners...not so much. I will admit, the newer ones are holding up grest.

Jack Does Cars > HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles
06/24/2016 at 22:44

If it has less rust than most of the Cavaliers up there, I cannot fathom what other Cavaliers look like.

Jack Does Cars > GUYMANDUDE
06/24/2016 at 22:45

That makes sense.

Daily Drives a Dragon - One Last Lap > Jack Does Cars
06/24/2016 at 22:50

Especially the ones around Zoidberg’s age. Those little trucks from the 80s just rust. And it’s sad because I want them.

ranwhenparked > Jack Does Cars
06/24/2016 at 22:59

I got rid of a 2013 Mustang that had the hood replaced due to corrosion and was about to need a new trunk lid. In that case, the answer was simple. Ford hasn’t yet figured out how to stamp aluminum without contaminating the surface, then doesn’t clean it properly before painting. SO, galvanic corrosion.

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > Jack Does Cars
06/24/2016 at 23:46

Trust me you don't want too. I'm so glad we replaced it when we did. It was to the point that it was just embarrassing. Well even a rust free Cavalier is embarrassing.

Jack Does Cars > ranwhenparked
06/25/2016 at 00:00

How is that even possible? And the Mustang was a 2013? That’s honestly one of the worst automotive things I’ve heard as of late. Well, Mustang’s haven’t had the best rap as of late.

Jack Does Cars > HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles
06/25/2016 at 00:03

I saw a Mercury Mystique today that had no rockers at all. Like, from wheel to wheel there was nothing. It scares me that some states don’t have safety inspections.

Jack Does Cars > Daily Drives a Dragon - One Last Lap
06/25/2016 at 00:07

NC/SC, Washington State, Oregon, California, NM, Central Texas, and Arizona trucks are typically rust free and/or have very little rust on them. I’m really glad to have access to clean, cheap Toyota trucks in Raleigh.

ranwhenparked > Jack Does Cars
06/25/2016 at 00:08

Happens to a lot of Fords, actually. Also Chevy & GMC full-size van hoods - rarely see one 8 years old or older that still has paint on it.

Jack Does Cars > ranwhenparked
06/25/2016 at 00:16

Yeah, I do see GM vans with no paint on the hoods back home.