Anti-rust protection of the frame and chassis in 4×4 vehicles. What does professional chassis and frame maintenance involve? Why is it worth protecting the chassis of a new car from rust and corrosion? Find out more.
The biggest enemy of frames and chassis in off-road and expedition vehicles, apart from obvious mechanical damage, is susceptibility to corrosion. Driving in difficult conditions, muddy or river crossings, overcoming terrain obstacles make the frames and chassis of off-road vehicles more susceptible to rust. It should be remembered that cars leaving the showroom usually have only rudimentary anti-corrosion protection at best – frames are powder coated, and body welds can be protected with mastic.
In many cars that come to us as new, the first signs of corrosion are already visible after a few weeks from sale. We notice them in particular on welds and joints, as well as on elements that are not protected from the factory after processing. Although initially it is only superficial rust, over time after a few years the situation may become more serious, and the corrosion centers will be larger and larger.
That is why it is so important to perform chassis maintenance immediately after purchase and protect both the frame and the body floor, along with other important suspension and drivetrain elements. Not only the frame and floor should be protected, but also the wheel arches, frame beams and connectors, bridges and shaft mounting flanges with a special protective agent.
In cars that are several years old, used intensively, and have already covered at least tens of thousands of kilometers, the process of protecting the frame and floor against corrosion is much more time-consuming and expensive. This is because all elements intended for maintenance require thorough cleaning and preliminary preparation.
Work on a used car is difficult due to already corroded screws, nuts and many other elements. They must be pre-cleaned, anti-corrosion agent applied, and all signs of rust removed before we start maintenance. If the rust has already done its job, the frame may require repair before it is suitable for maintenance – this again means more costs and time.
The answer to the question: can the frame be maintained in a used car is of course yes, but this involves much higher costs, much more work and time, and if the frame is already heavily corroded, it may even require expensive replacement or repairs. This is why it is so important to perform chassis maintenance in a relatively new car.
There are several ways to protect the chassis against corrosion. One popular solution is to apply a special coating that creates a protective layer on the surface of the chassis. This coating can be in the form of wax, fat, grease or a special anti-corrosion preparation. Thanks to this, the chassis is protected against moisture, road salt, stones and other external factors.
At RAYO Offroad Centrum, we perform comprehensive chassis maintenance in several stages:
The above description is just a shortened list of activities that we perform on each maintained car. The formula developed over the years, the use of proven, renowned preservatives and an individual approach to each car mean that the cars we protect endure the rigors of use much better, even in difficult conditions, and effectively resist corrosion.
Living proof of our effectiveness are customers who return to us after several years, and the chassis of their cars – apart from general dirt and traces of use – show no signs of corrosion.
Another way to protect the chassis against corrosion is galvanization. It involves covering metal surfaces with a special coating that prevents corrosion. Galvanization is very effective, but expensive and time-consuming.
It is also worth remembering that, as with any other service activity, it is important to also take care of the condition of the chassis and frame. An important element of anti-corrosion protection of the chassis is also regular washing and cleaning. It is worth regularly removing dirt, mud, road salt and other contaminants from the surface of the chassis. This can prevent corrosion.
Chassis corrosion protection is an important part of keeping your car in good condition. Underbody corrosion is a common problem that can lead to serious damage and expensive repairs. That’s why it’s worth investing in corrosion protection to protect your chassis from external, extreme factors