Whether you are restoring your car's body after a collision or replacing some of the old or worn out components, corrosion protection is a critical step in the process. Vehicle manufacturers usually apply corrosion protection to their vehicles during the manufacturing process. However, during the restoration, the body parts may be fabricated or replaced entirely depending on the extent of the damage. This means that the new components may not have the corrosion protection that was present in the original parts. It's essential to restore the corrosion resistance properties to replaced or repaired parts, as well as the areas where the anchoring clamps were installed.

Corrosion can ruin your car

Atmospheric corrosion is the most common type of corrosion of steel and iron car parts, and it can degrade their appearance or surface value. It occurs when the metal comes into contact with air containing some moisture. The rust slowly eats away the metal, weakens it, and affects its performance. Besides, atmospheric corrosion, the following forms of corrosion are often experienced in the automotive industry.

• Galvanic corrosion: This occurs when two dissimilar metals are fabricated or joined, and they come into contact in the presence of an electrolyte such as salt. The metal that's more reactive wears away at a higher rate in a process known as galvanic corrosion.
• Crevice corrosion: This type of corrosion occurs in crevices such as the seals, gaskets, and flanges. It is stimulated by the presence of a stagnant solution in the crevices. This form of corrosion can lead to stress cracking of the components.

You can protect your vehicle from these forms of corrosion during the restoration stage by using the suitable products for corrosion protection.

How to protect vehicle from corrosion

There are several ways in which you can offer corrosion protection to your vehicle after body restoration. Here are some of the most common ones:

Using corrosion protection primers

Corrosion protection primers are applied to the metal parts after welding or straightening and before the finishing or coating process. These primers have excellent adherence to bare metal, and they offer high corrosion protection properties.

Using sealers

Sealers are corrosion resistance products that are applied to the vehicle's body and other metallic parts after fabrication. They protect the parts from air, moisture, road salt and exhaust fumes, all of which can act as agents of corrosion.

Applying undercoatings

Undercoatings are rust treatment products that are used over large sheet metal surfaces on the exterior of the vehicle. In addition to corrosion protection, undercoatings can also protect the metal surface from dents caused by small flying stones.

Before approaching an automotive restoration shop for your vehicle body repairs, ensure that they have the necessary products and know-how to protect your car's metal parts from corrosion. Learn more about metal fabrication.