Selfcare - Rustproofing (DIY Job)

[Theo Prado]

Good morning Carnity, 

Need some advise on applying a round of "selfcare rustproofing" on my 2018 Prado (DIY job) as I have already gone down the road of rustproofing the chassis with an offroad garage approx. a year ago, however recently noticed a few rust spots are reappearing. Do note that I wash the car and chassis on a regular basis especially if I was doing anything close the the beach, am I being realistic with trying a round of DIY by applying and using a combination of a rust remover, wire brush, sandpaper and finally applying a chassis undercoating paint? 

I found Rust-Oleum products online and leaning towards using their rust remover and prograde undercoat products.

Would love some input if anyone has been successful in this approach? (I suspect I would probably need to do it it 2-3 times a year as spots appear). 

Thanks, 

[Frederic]

Hi @Theo Prado on my previous vehicle i also chose for a rustproofing done by an external company and was happy with the result. That same year i drove to Salalah so the car was exposed to a lot of water, including driving along the beach. The salt is very punishing but went for a hose-down later that night.

Around 1year later when i sold the car i could also again find some minimal rust spots, which i think are unavoidable but this is purely some very minor surface rust and does nothing to harm the metal (i believe).

Applying it yourself is indeed perhaps a good option, and Rust-Oleum is well known so it won't do any harm for sure. 

 

 

[Giacomo]

Hi Theo, wire wheel/sand to bare metal the spots, clean and cover with paint.
Some primer followed by your preferred paint. I’ve had good and lasting results with rustoleum enamel paints, if you can get the professional line even better. Curing time with rustoleum enamels can be longer than others so try to give the time it needs to cure and harden. 

Edited September 12, 2025 by Giacomo

[Theo Prado]

Thanks @Frederic and @Giacomo for the advise, give me 1 year to share the results