Hi,

The 2010 Focus I bought at 8 months old with 2,000 miles on it I think I intend to just run and run now for as long as possible. It's only done 36k @ 5 years old and it seems false economy to change it for something more economical etc.

Is there anything I should think about in terms of rust proofing it for the long haul? For example, does it makes sense to treat the sills/arches with something like Bilt Hamber Dynax (which might be a pig of a job given the plastic trim covering them) or would everyone expect the paintwork to be good for 10 years+ anyway? I normally stick some Poorboys wax on the sills and don't bother buffing it off about every 8 months in some attempt to protect them but I doubt its enough...

I'm a bit paranoid as my mrs' '57 plate Ka had a bit of rust on the sills and around the fuel filler (despite me religiously hosing up inside the rear arch on a regular basis to clear the salty filth out) at only 7 years old and I'd rather take some preventative measures now rather than later on.

Any advice would be appreciated.

Cheers,

D

Hi, one thing i learnt was to get some wheel bearing grease and mix it with thinners put in a squirty bottle and spray building up layers. Spray this in all the sills and any place thats hard to treat from the out side. What happends the is the thinners will evaporate leaving the grease there. As from the out side make sure you clean all the area's where a build up of dirt and grime can be. Treat with por15 rust preventive and rubberized under coat.

http://www.frost.co.uk/por15-rust-prevention-paint-946ml.html

And then

http://www.frost.co.uk/por-15-rubberized-under-coating-spray.html

It depends on hew far you want to go.

Thanks for the advice. I like home brew solutions as they're usually very effective (like vinegar and baking soda etc)

What thinners do you use and doesn't each application 'thin' the previous one off to some extent?

If there are particular reason for using wheel bearing grease, too?

Sent from my XT1039

wouldnt waste youre time my car was done completely professionally when i got it undersealed and waxoyled etc etc and theres still rust fords rust always have and likely always will the paints too thin

That's OK. All cars rust and I've had a few rusty Fords. I just want to slow the process.

Sent from my XT1039

I think there are always voids in the bodywork which, if not treated during construction, are inaccessible to aftermarket treatments. I thought Ford had started using galvanised steel for the lower body panels when the Mk1 first came out. I don't know if they've given up on that and gone back to planned obsolescence.