Rustproofing - W204 2012
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From: Canada
A car
Rustproofing - W204 2012
Hello!
As per MB Canada, I never applied any aftermarket rustproofing to my car and it has served me well. One of the things I noticed was a flaking of crap from the rubber boots underneath the car. I was told it was normal, and it is a result of the constant movement of those rubber boots and that it was factory rustproofing coming off.
When I asked the dealer if that means I should now invest in aftermarket rustproofing they said 'don't bother'. That seems weird though to me. If it's flaking off, shouldn't I "fix" that problem by applying new rustproofing?
Thoughts? - thanks
As per MB Canada, I never applied any aftermarket rustproofing to my car and it has served me well. One of the things I noticed was a flaking of crap from the rubber boots underneath the car. I was told it was normal, and it is a result of the constant movement of those rubber boots and that it was factory rustproofing coming off.
When I asked the dealer if that means I should now invest in aftermarket rustproofing they said 'don't bother'. That seems weird though to me. If it's flaking off, shouldn't I "fix" that problem by applying new rustproofing?
Thoughts? - thanks
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Joined: Mar 2008
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From: 1 hours drive north of Sydney Australia
2007 W204 220CDI Classic Sedan
I think it all comes down to how long you intend to keep the car & how severely the road salting is affecting your undersides.
I would do a thorough inspection then make a decision
In our fare country there would be absolutely no need.
I would do a thorough inspection then make a decision
In our fare country there would be absolutely no need.
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2011
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From: Canada
A car
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 2,539
Likes: 309
From: Canada
A car
Oh cool! Learn something new every day, thank you!
You wouldn't happen to know (off the top of your head), where I can buy this right? I've never seen this at Crappy Tire, as an example.
I'd love to breathe new life into the various rubbers on the car (and in the engine bay) but I've long stayed away from it b/c of what I mentioned before. Thanks!
You wouldn't happen to know (off the top of your head), where I can buy this right? I've never seen this at Crappy Tire, as an example.
I'd love to breathe new life into the various rubbers on the car (and in the engine bay) but I've long stayed away from it b/c of what I mentioned before. Thanks!
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Super Member
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 701
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From: Ontario, Canada
2009 C63 AMG, 2010 C250 4Matic Sport
If someone reads this and decides to do rust proofing anyway, NEVER let any place drill holes in your doors or frame to spray the insides with rust inhibitor. I worked at krown for a time, and while Krown as a product is excellent, I wanted to cry every time I witnessed a nice car have holes drilled in it. 
(Krown and I'm sure other places will gladly perform the service without drilling holes, you just need to request it.)
(Krown and I'm sure other places will gladly perform the service without drilling holes, you just need to request it.)
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Joined: Jun 2016
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Mercedes w204 4matic sport
If someone reads this and decides to do rust proofing anyway, NEVER let any place drill holes in your doors or frame to spray the insides with rust inhibitor. I worked at krown for a time, and while Krown as a product is excellent, I wanted to cry every time I witnessed a nice car have holes drilled in it.
(Krown and I'm sure other places will gladly perform the service without drilling holes, you just need to request it.)
(Krown and I'm sure other places will gladly perform the service without drilling holes, you just need to request it.)
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2008
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From: 1 hours drive north of Sydney Australia
2007 W204 220CDI Classic Sedan
I have a 37 year old car that was rust proofed when brand new. They drilled multiple holes holes in each door , subframe, door posts, sills etc. There is not a hint of rust anywhere.They are all neatly covered with durable plugs.
Over the years I have repeated the applications of rust proofing & made sure each door & sill drain is draining freely.
If I had the choice of rust prevention or not drilling holes in days gone by , I would take the former.
The body build of modern cars has greatly improved over the years so extra rustproofing is not required in reasonable climates.
To each his own.
Over the years I have repeated the applications of rust proofing & made sure each door & sill drain is draining freely.
If I had the choice of rust prevention or not drilling holes in days gone by , I would take the former.
The body build of modern cars has greatly improved over the years so extra rustproofing is not required in reasonable climates.
To each his own.
Last edited by Carsy; May 5, 2017 at 12:18 AM.
Super Member
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 701
Likes: 103
From: Ontario, Canada
2009 C63 AMG, 2010 C250 4Matic Sport
I have a 37 year old car that was rust proofed when brand new. They drilled multiple holes holes in each door , subframe, door posts, sills etc. There is not a hint of rust anywhere.They are all neatly covered with durable plugs.
Over the years I have repeated the applications of rust proofing & made sure each door & sill drain is draining freely.
If I had the choice of rust prevention or not drilling holes in days gone by , I would take the former.
The body build of modern cars has greatly improved over the years so extra rustproofing is not required in reasonable climates.
To each his own.
Over the years I have repeated the applications of rust proofing & made sure each door & sill drain is draining freely.
If I had the choice of rust prevention or not drilling holes in days gone by , I would take the former.
The body build of modern cars has greatly improved over the years so extra rustproofing is not required in reasonable climates.
To each his own.
I've seen some work done from other rust control shops where they've plugged the holes without applying any grease, and there's usually an ugly, rusty surprise when you remove the plug.. other times, a plug can fall out, and then the frame/door starts filling with moisture which can be even worse.
My advice to anyone is if you're going to take your car to one of these places, don't do it during "busy" season, as the spray techs will be able to take more time on your car. When you're doing 80-100 vehicles per day, sometimes there isn't enough time to carefully go over everything...
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Joined: Sep 2015
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From: Milwaukee, WI USA
2012 C300 4Matic
"When you're doing 80-100 vehicles per day, sometimes there isn't enough time to carefully go over everything..."
80 to 100 vehicles done in a day at a rustproofing shop?.....In this day and age? I didn't think anyone even did that to their cars anymore like years ago. Are places like Z-Bart and Rusty Jones even still around? I would think a shop might do 1 or 2 a day. I don't think I even have heard about doing that to their car in years, and I live in a snowy salty area of the country. Factory rustproofing and newer materials and processed used to make cars are so much better than the 70s-80s.
80 to 100 vehicles done in a day at a rustproofing shop?.....In this day and age? I didn't think anyone even did that to their cars anymore like years ago. Are places like Z-Bart and Rusty Jones even still around? I would think a shop might do 1 or 2 a day. I don't think I even have heard about doing that to their car in years, and I live in a snowy salty area of the country. Factory rustproofing and newer materials and processed used to make cars are so much better than the 70s-80s.
Thread Starter
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Posts: 2,539
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From: Canada
A car
I think I'll keep on monitoring the bottom of the vehicle. I looked today and there doesn't appear to be much rust in any places that aren't related to the exhaust system (and you can't rust proof that either b/c of the heat).
I'll wait and see, but I don't think I"ll be adding any aftermarket rustproofing.
The ones I have done in the past do not require drilling. IF I do any aftermarket stuff, I'm going back there (in Waterloo) to get it done.
I'll wait and see, but I don't think I"ll be adding any aftermarket rustproofing.
The ones I have done in the past do not require drilling. IF I do any aftermarket stuff, I'm going back there (in Waterloo) to get it done.
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Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 545
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From: Toronto & California
2015 ML400 4MATIC, 2016 C300 4MATIC, 2014 E350 4MATIC (Totaled), 2006 E350 (Sold)
PLEASE DONT RUSTPROOF
Did it with Krown with my W164 and they drilled 18 holes into the car. Nightmare. Ended up selling the car.
Did it with Krown with my W164 and they drilled 18 holes into the car. Nightmare. Ended up selling the car.
