Corrosion is an unfortunate reality for all vehicle owners. It’s notorious for quietly eating away at a car or truck’s body panels, frame, brake lines, and undercarriage—compromising safety and racking up repair costs. In many cases, it’s the sole reason a vehicle is taken off the road and sent to the scrap yard. Even if you don’t live in the Rust Belt, corrosion is something you’ll likely face, especially if you plan to keep your vehicle for any length of time.
The good news is that preventing rust and corrosion isn't as difficult as it seems. In fact, with a little proactive care, many problems can be avoided in just a few minutes. And even if the job is a bit more involved, tackling it early will always save you time, money, and hassle down the road.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through the most common types of corrosion—and show you how to stop them before they take hold.
Understanding Corrosion & Its Sources
The first step in dealing with corrosion is understanding what causes it. Rust is the most common form of corrosion and what we all dread finding on our vehicles. It’s the result of oxidized iron, typically caused when bare metal is exposed to the elements for a prolonged period. That’s why maintaining your vehicle’s coatings—paint, undercoating, and protective sealants—is so important.
While rust gets the most attention, it’s not the only form of corrosion that can threaten your vehicle. Many parts can break down due to oxidation, and exposure to UV rays and chemicals can accelerate the process. Sunlight can cause paint and protective coatings to fade and crack, leaving metal underneath vulnerable to rust. Road salts, de-icing agents, and even certain cleaning products can also eat away at metal and coatings if not rinsed or neutralized properly.
In any case, addressing corrosion is an essential part of every car-care routine. Stopping it early and repairing damaged parts will prolong the service life of your vehicle. It can be costly to fix at times, but it’s far cheaper than replacing the car altogether. And since corroded parts also comes with some inherent safety risks, making corrosion prevention a top priority is always worth it.
Corrosion Combat
The best way to deal with corrosion is to stop it before it starts. Once it takes hold, removing it can become an extensive, costly process (especially on body panels). Understanding the common scenarios where corrosion occurs, and taking the right preventive steps, will help keep your vehicle in top shape.
Road Salt / Winter Exposure
Since they’re known for accelerating rust, road salt and other winter treatments are the bane of many vehicle owners’ existence. Salt sticks to the undercarriage and wheel wells, trapping moisture against metal and speeding up oxidation. Winter exposure in general is also very hard on cars and trucks, as cold temperatures can cause paint and seals to contract, which can lead to small cracks that let moisture in.
Protective coatings, such as Fluid Film, form a barrier that keeps salt and debris from contacting the metal beneath. Applying a solid layer of wax before winter adds another layer of defense, and regular washes during the season help remove corrosive materials before they settle, preserving your vehicle.
UV Rays / Sun Exposure
Sunlight breaks down paint, rubber, and other soft surfaces over time. Cracked dashes, dry-rotted seals, peeling clear coat, and faded paint all happen when a vehicle is exposed to the sun’s harmful ultraviolet rays for too long.
Once these issues appear, repair can be challenging. While some surfaces can be restored—like filling in dashboard cracks—more often, replacement is the only long-term solution.
Routine cleaning and high-quality wax or other coatings slow this process by providing some UV protection, but limiting direct sun exposure is the most effective defense. Whenever possible, park in a garage or shady spot, and consider car covers or sunshades when that’s not an option.
Salt Water / Marine Environment
Vehicles near saltwater or marine environments face unique corrosion risks. Salt water can linger in hard-to-reach areas, eating away at metal and mechanical components. If you use a vehicle for towing, like to go off-roading, or venture near the ocean often, you will need to take the right steps to prevent this type of corrosion.
In terms of general exposure, simply cleaning the vehicle will often suffice, as this helps remove the salt deposits. For vehicles that regularly get wet—riding through off-road puddles or backing boats into the water—applying marine-grade grease to joints and bushings helps prevent rapid wear.
Rust / Paint Scratches
Rust often starts small with rock chips, scratches, or behind trapped debris. Left unchecked, these tiny spots can spread into big problems, compromising body panels and structural components.
Maintaining paint, coatings, and seals is essential, so repair any chips promptly with touch-up paint, keep the vehicle clean, and regularly apply waxes to your car’s paint to keep a good seal on the metal. Inspect window seals and crevices for trapped moisture, and clean out any trapped debris from behind panels—these can both lead to rust forming in hard-to-reach places.
Battery Acid / Electrical Contacts
Oxidation can wreak havoc on electrical components. Once it gets inside the wiring, you can be in for some electrical oddities that will never go away until the wiring is replaced.
Battery terminals often accumulate a white or blue powder over time. Cleaning it off with a brush or a water-and-baking-soda solution helps prevent problems and keeps connections reliable. You should also use dielectric grease when making electrical connections and repairing any damaged wiring to prevent oxidation from occurring under the insulation.
Application & Maintenance Tips
Preventing corrosion doesn’t have to be complicated, but it does require consistency. Using the right greases and coatings, and parking the vehicle where it's protected from the elements, goes a long way to avoiding corrosion issues. And we can’t say it enough: regular cleaning and inspections are key. Catching small problems before they spread is always easier than fixing major damage later.
Whether you’re just starting to practice corrosion maintenance or already have a routine, keep these tips in mind:
- Hidden debris in crevices, wheel wells, or behind or under panels can negate the effect of any protective coatings—remove it first, then clean and dry the area thoroughly.
- Damaged or worn seals around windows, doors, and panels let water in, creating hotspots for rust.
- Apply grease sparingly. Over-application can attract dirt and dust, which hold moisture against metal. Follow product instructions for a thin, even layer.
- Make it a habit to inspect your vehicle at least once a season—before winter, after winter, and during summer if you’re in a sunny or coastal area.
- Wash and apply wax in the shade or during cooler parts of the day to prevent streaking and ensure coatings adhere properly.
- Use appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) when handling chemicals. Some greases, coatings, and cleaners can be caustic or irritate skin and eyes.
Protect Your Ride with Parts Via
Rust and corrosion can cause plenty of headaches for vehicle owners, but preventing them is straightforward with the right approach. It really comes down to knowing which products to use where and paying a little attention to your vehicle. Take care of it, and it will take care of you.
Parts Via is here to help you keep rust and corrosion at bay. We carry the coatings, greases, cleaners, and tools you need to get the job done. With our ship-to-store option, you can also connect with pros for expert advice on your specific corrosion challenges—while saving on delivery costs. Shop today and start giving your ride a little TLC.