She says . . .

Press, 28 May 1981, Page 19

She says . . .

Rust is one of the great curses of the car-owner, and although it does its work all the year around, winter often helps it more than a little. Some cars rust little, others — even though rarely left outdoors overnight —* show severe rusting after a few vears.

The reason is sometimes the superiority (or otherwise) of the anti-corrosion treatments applied when the car was built: more often it is a question of bad design. Some car body designs are notorious for having many crannies and moisture-traps which hold the dampness in until it has had plenty of time to attack the metal around it.

By the time the car-owner notices the rust it has usually done its work, having carved its way through- the metal from the inside. The only answer is then an expensive but essential visit to the panelbeaters. Left alone, the rust will only continue its merry and expensive way, perhaps until the car is no longer safe to use, and is beyond economical repair.

So do think about rust, and deal with it when you find it. When you wash the car, make sure that all clumps of moist mud hanging in corners and crannies un-

derneath — around the wheel arches — are hosed away with a powerful jet. Otherwise the mud merely holds the dampness against the. metal until it can rust through. An annual and careful ..“rust inspection'' is a good idea for any car more than a couple of years old.

In particular, watch for any ‘'bubbles" in the paintwork — if you see one. poke it. hard with a needle, or fine nail. Usually the sharp object will pass through the bubble, and straight through the corroded metal it has been hiding. That signals the need for a talk with your panelbeater. Clean out" the water drain holes on the bottom edge of your car doors regularly, too. — Barbara Petre.