How to Prevent Your Truck from Rusting
When you’re the proud owner of a truck, there are several maintenance responsibilities that you’ll need to take care of. One of the most important tasks you’ll want to have on your to-do list is corrosion prevention. Not only can corrosion spread quickly but it’s also irreversible, which is why it’s essential to prevent your truck from rusting.
Tri-County Truck & Equipment has created this guide with some helpful tips. Keep reading to learn more, then visit our dealership in Pompano Beach, Florida. We’d be happy to assist with all your servicing needs.
Where Corrosion Happens
When it comes to corrosion prevention for your truck, some areas are more vulnerable than others. For instance, your truck bed, cab corners and floors, exhaust, fenders, frame, and rocker panels are susceptible to corrosion. Additionally, the area around the wheel wells may be more prone to corrosion than other areas.
A warning sign that your truck has started rusting is the formation of bubbles below the paint surface, which indicates the presence of moisture. Take a flashlight and check your truck’s paint for scratches, bumps, bubbles, and dark spots, which can lead to corrosion. Inspect the doors, rockers, and the bed of the truck for chips of paint. Rust will be more visible in areas like the undercarriage, which you can check by placing your truck on a jack.
How to Prevent Rust
Once rust starts forming, it’s difficult to remove it, so prevention is the best thing you can do. The sooner you take steps to tackle rusting, the faster you can prevent it from spreading. There are some easy ways to do this, including keeping the truck clean and as dry as possible. Perform regular inspections to get rid of corrosion before it gets worse.
Applying protective paint, finishes, or other products can also help, especially in areas that are harder to monitor and keep clean. Use a good primer before painting anything, and you’ll need one that’s designed for metal surfaces. Also, be aware of interior spots that are susceptible to corrosion. Higher humidity levels can create moisture buildup on metal window frames, so keep the inside of your truck cab clean as well.
Treating Rust
If you find flakes of paint while inspecting your truck, it means that certain spots have already started succumbing to rust. For smaller areas, you can use a stiff wire brush or sandpaper to scrape off the rust. Once the area is rust-free and clean, you’ll want to apply corrosion-resistant paint. Larger areas might benefit from professional treatment.
We hope this guide has been helpful and you feel ready to manage rust on your truck. If you have any more questions or you’re ready to look at some trucks for sale near Fort Lauderdale and the Tri-County area, FL, stop by Tri-County Truck & Equipment. You’ll find us in Pompano Beach, so get in touch with us today!