How to Prevent Rust on Cars in Arizona

Valley Chevy How to Prevent Rust on Cars in Arizona

Arizona isn’t known for having an especially wet climate, so many Valley residents don’t spend much time thinking about how to prevent rusting on cars. Still, it’s helpful to know about stopping rust on cars, especially when we get the occasional rainy stretch or when you visit a place with wet weather.

Winter conditions can be devastating to your vehicle, so keep that in mind whenever you go anywhere with constant moisture from the snow. The moisture combines with salt from the roads to create an acidic slush that can eat at your vehicle.

Even here in Arizona, some things contribute to rusting on cars. Heat can accelerate the rate at which metal rusts, and the sun can also take a toll on the protective layer of paint on your vehicle. If you happen to get a spot of rust on your vehicle, even the desert can make the problem get worse in a hurry. With that in mind, here’s everything you need to know about how to stop rust on a car.

Clean Your Vehicle to Stop Rusting on Car

Valley Chevy How to Prevent Rust on Cars in Arizona

Keeping your car clean is one of the easiest ways to protect your car from rust. The Arizona heat can bake away the protective layer of paint on your car, and letting dust and sand accumulate will scratch the surface, even more, leaving your vehicle exposed to the elements.

While it is fortunate that Arizona enjoys nice, dry weather, if those spots get wet the oxidation process can begin and rust will start to develop. Using a good water sprayer is best to be sure to remove all the small debris; using a cloth to wipe it off could lead to more scratching.

It's important to clean the inside of your car, too. Water that gets spilled or tracked into your car can leach through and cause rust to begin where you least expect it. Wipe down surfaces to keep moisture from building up to stop the oxidation from starting.

Take Care of Your Car's Undercarriage 

Valley Chevy How to Prevent Rust on Cars in Arizona 

Only the outside of your vehicle is painted, which means there’s a lot of exposed metal on the underbelly and inside. This exposed metal is at exposed risk of rust, especially when it isn’t properly maintained. Take your vehicle in for regular preventative maintenance to ensure that everything is oiled and lubricated. This will help prevent costly repairs, keep your vehicle running longer, and reduce the risk of rust on these parts of your vehicle that you don’t see very often.

Rust Proof Your Car

Valley Chevy How to Prevent Rust on Cars in Arizona

Getting your car rust-proofed is another solid preventative step to protect your car from corrosion. There are lots of anti-rust sprays that you can apply yourself, or even have done professionally, to make sure everything is protected from moisture and other elements.

Wax and paint jobs protect your car, too. Beyond wanting your car to look nice, if the paint is damaged it's important to make sure it gets touched up or redone to ensure your car's body is safe from rust. Wax will add another layer that protects the paint, and getting your car waxed is less of a hassle than a new paint job.

Fixing Rust Damage After it Starts

Valley Chevy How to Prevent Rust on Cars in Arizona

Sometimes you won't notice rust damage until it has begun, but that doesn't mean it's too late. Stopping and fixing rust damage early on will prevent it from spreading and requiring professional help. Repairing rust damage is simple but can be time-consuming. If you aren’t willing or able to tackle the problem yourself, take your vehicle in for maintenance to get the rust fixed as soon as possible. Performing the following steps sooner rather than later will help prevent the problem from getting worse.

    • Start by using sandpaper on the affected area to remove rust and damaged paint.
    • Clean the area and dry it to prepare for painting. Make sure to use an actual car wash detergent because dish detergent and other chemicals not made for cars can strip the wax.
    • Prime the surface with two or three coats of epoxy primer, then wait about an hour for the primer to dry.
    • Apply the base coat, using two or three coats.
    • Add the clear coat. It's important to give plenty of time for the clear coat to dry before driving to keep from any running that might ruin the paint job. This is especially important if you’re driving in a sandy environment like the Valley of the Sun because there’s so much dust that could stick to your fresh paint.

Be Careful Where You Park Your Car

One of the most significant ways Arizona residents expose their vehicles to rust is by accidentally parking them in the wrong place for extended periods. Parking your vehicle over wet grass, snow, or any surface that doesn’t drain water can lead to rust, especially on the car’s underside.

This might not be a big deal if you’re parking on a sunny street in Phoenix, but you should be mindful of it if you head to the mountains for a weekend in the snow. Some people might also be accidentally exposing their vehicles to water and wet parking spaces at home. For example, make sure your car is out of range of the sprinkler before you water your yard.

Keep the Gas Tank Full

Fuel tanks and their parts may be susceptible to rust if they ever get wet, especially since there aren’t many places for the water to go in there. The fuel pump module, an electric fuel pump and level sender unit inside your gas tank, can sometimes cost well over $1,000 to replace. The fuel pump module itself is very well protected from rust because it’s inside the gas tank, but the metal top plate and output lines are much more exposed.

Keep your fuel tank topped off if your car will be spending a lot of time in a more humid environment. Otherwise, condensation can gather because of the difference between the liquid fuel and the outdoor air temperature. These parts are also exposed to evaporating moisture from below, which is why it’s so important to mind where you park.

Get Ceramic Coating for Your Car


This is an excellent alternative to getting your car waxed. Ceramic coating is created when a liquid polymer gets applied to your vehicle’s paint job. The ceramic coating bonds with the paint to create a complete surface that shouldn’t crack or break down even in severe weather conditions. This coating lasts for a few years on average, which is way more convenient for most people than having to wax their vehicles again every few months.

Clear Your Drain Plugs

Many drivers aren’t even aware that their vehicles have drain plugs, which means the plugs probably aren’t very well cared for. Look for drain plugs on your vehicle by checking under the doors, along the edges of the trunk, and along the edges of the hood. If these plugs become clogged with any kind of grime or debris, water will accumulate. The standing water from every car wash or rain shower dramatically increases the risk of rust.

Taking care of your car will help expand its life and help it keep its value when you're ready to make your next car purchase. Check out our Valley Chevy blog for more helpful tips. If your car is already beyond saving from rust, visit us to test drive a new vehicle and learn how you can protect it from the elements.