Is Rustproofing important for us in this region?

[ewap8]

Hi all,

I'm getting a great deal on a Pajero from Al Habtoor in Dubai and I intend to purchase it this week. Previously when I bought from Trading Enterprises (Al Futtaim) the car came with rustproofing.
Here, at Al Habtoor, they want to charge me AED 750 extra for rustproofing. Now, my question is:

How important is rustproofing?
Are they really selling non-rustproofed cars with 3 years warranty? Or they just want to make a quick buck? My car will largely be parked under the open sun.
Bear in mind I only plan to use this vehicle for 2-3 years,, maximum 4. Do you recommend I spend the extra AED 750 on rustproofing?

Thanks in advance for your replies.



edit: Just read more about this online, and it seems rustproofing is a long term problem (20 yrs).
Also, rust is avoided on the car if I keep it clean - which I do - I have the body cleaned daily - but the underside is cleaned every month. What do you think?

[root]

I have not seen rust problems here! I see it as something they try to sell for a quick buck.
This is my opinion - others may disagree.

[Brembo]

don't most cars come rustproofed from the factory? else it would all start rusting pretty soon.
i don't think you should spend extra on it, how about spending the 750 aed on paint protection (not from the dealer!)
i think that is more important here due to the extreme heat especially if you park outdoors a lot.

[root]

yeah! On paint protection, do you have any good ideas of what to get?

Al-Naboodah has a Protech that they sell for crazy prices. There must be something cheaper and affordable that does the same?

[Brembo]

sara auto care and proshine both in al quoz got paint protection treatments though if i remember correctly the proshine one was twice as much as sara auto.
im sure other car valeting shops got different paint protection options.

[root]

any idea of the price range ?
If its under 1k, I might get one!

[Brembo]

the sara auto care one was 600-800 dhs, proshine was 1200-1600

[kapil]

ok. heres my bit.... for paint get a teflon coat done. everything else is good also but not really needed.

For rust proofing, get that done. the companies provide various tenures on rusting of painted surfaces and perforation (that means holes caused by rust). underbody and especially teh foot boards on the sides are prone to rusting. The painted exterior would only rust if there are cracks in teh paint caused by dents and dings.

In teh climate like here, in my opinion, one should get the rust profing done because:
1. this is a high humidity area where a lot of condensation happens
2. this area has high saline content, in water and even in sand which tends to build up in minor carcks and crevices and is not really washed off completely when washed at service stations also.
3. The ac water is always driping on some part of the body, always.
4. the service centers spary oil on the underbody, which catches dust and is not removed completely in teh subsequent washes leading to gradual build up and moisture entrapment.
5. its hardly a fration of cost of a new car... e.g, 750 AED : 124,000 AED (for full option pajero) i.e.. 0.006% of cost.
6. at the end of three years, one can actually aske for about 2000-3000 AEDs higher price as teh car is rust proofed. And belive me it wil show.

All my cars have both Teflon coat on top and rust proofing underneath.

[Brembo]

high humidity here? its usually under 50% i think..
http://www.wunderground.com/global/stations/41194.html

where do you get teflon coating done? and how much would it be for a pajero for example?

[root]

yeah, where does one get teflon?

I heard teflon kills birds

[WSF]

Who needs rust proofing here? even with all the humidity your new car wont even have surface rust until 10 years later... The real worry is scratches & dents that other people make... Plus if u properly wash & clean the car then it wont rust.. Just a rip off IMO...

[root]

We really stand divided about this topic over here!

My only reasoning is that I don't see that many rusted cars over here, compared to other countries with rust problems.

[kapil]

correct root, but just try and see on teh underside of 3-4 year old cars. You would seee rust appearing on teh side step cross members etc. not really on teh chassis but at some points on teh underbody.... I only say so as I was trying to get a used car and noticed this on majority of vehicles

[ewap8]

Thanks for the help guys. Just bought the car over the weekend, and avoided rustproofing as I don't intent to keep it for longer than 3-4 years.
Spent over 1200 on Nanolux and it seems to be working )
Damn the break-in period, can't even rev it to above 2k
If u see a Pajero driving at 61 km/h on SZR over the next week, its probably me so be nice!!

[WSF]

correct root, but just try and see on teh underside of 3-4 year old cars. You would seee rust appearing on teh side step cross members etc. not really on teh chassis but at some points on teh underbody.... I only say so as I was trying to get a used car and noticed this on majority of vehicles

Thats normal... & u dont have to worry about it... Rust is not an issue here...

Except for my car which is a hyundai coupe '02 i bought 3 weeks ago... and discovered that it has rust under 1 door sill & behind the door panels cuz some water was trapped there ages ago nothing dangerous but real bad spots... That will need cutting & welding or fiber glass treatment but ill ignore it 4 the mean time cuz it will be a bit costy & time consuming to repair...