Date: Friday, 9 November 1990 12:27:19 EST From: Indira.Subramanian@NATASHA.MACH.CS.CMU.EDU To: bovik@K.GP.CS.CMU.EDU Subject: Honda Rust Proofing and Honda Service Hi! I had posted the following message (regarding Honda rust proofing and Honda service) on the general bboard sometime in late november 1989. Following my post, I have includeed the responses I received. I bought my new Honda (Accord LX) in April 1987 in Seattle, WA. The car now has just under 10K miles on it. At the time I bought the car, I didn't get additional rust proofing done because, it hardly ever snows in scenic Seattle. Now that I have moved back to picturesque Pittsburgh, I am considering rust proofing the car. I would appreciate it very much if you could answer the following questions: (1) Back in 1987, I was under the impression that additional rust proofing is not needed because the manufacturer has already done an adequate job of protecting the car against snow/salt/acid-rain/etc conditions. Was my assumption correct? (2) Assuming that rust proofing is indeed an useful thing to do: I have taken very good care of this car and it is almost like new. My car has seen a lot of rain, but no snow/salt. However, I have heard that unless rust proofing is done when the car is new, it is not as effective. I plan on keeping this car for several years and I feel better late rust-proofing than never. Is it worth the expense? (3) I have spoken to the following service centers: Rust-Proofing Cost Warranty ============= ==== ======== Honda Village Ziebart $249 5 years Dean Francis TST $289 5 years Yenko Steel Shield $295 None Which of these three is the best? Do you know of a better place for this job? I am also looking for a routine service place for my car. Please take into account how good the place is with regard to its body shop as well(just in case I should need it in the future). From my experience, going to one place for everything (routine service, body work in case of an accident etc..) is preferable. This way I can use the service center to catch any problems due to shoddy work done by the body shop. (4) I have gone over Bovik's database. I did learn something about Honda Service centers from there. But the information is over a year old. Have you had any good/bad experiences in the recent past that you would like to share with me? Please reply ASAP. I would like to get the rust proofing done before the snow gets heavy. Thank you, Indira ------ ============================================================================== 1? 18 Nov 89 Robert Harper I don't know anything about rust-proofing, but for service and repairs I highly recommend Matta Motors in Glassport. They do Honda parts and service exclusively, and are not a dealer. I have found that their prices are very reasonable, they are very honest, and do good work. It's a bit of a trek down there, but well worth it for the benefit of avoiding the dealers who invariably (in my experience) are outrageously overpriced, incompetent, and dishonest. Bob ---- Message 2 (1123 chars) is ---- Date: Sat, 18 Nov 89 20:44:40 EST From: Dean.Benjamin@F.WORD.CS.CMU.EDU Subject: Re: Rustproofing I recall that Consumer Reports reviewed rustproofing; I think it was in 1986 or 1987, but it may have been more recent. I'm heading out for two weeks in California tomorrow, or I'd look it up myself. As I recall, their verdict was that rustproofing is NOT worth it, for the reason you cited: nowadays, carmakers take more care to rustproof their products, painting all the body panels, for instance. It's far cheaper, and just about as effective, to wax your car regularly and do the occasional touch-up of sand-pits & scratches before they open into full-sized rust patches. ---- Message 3 (711 chars) is ---- From: Michael Erdmann Date: Sun, 19 Nov 89 14:19:56 EST Subject: Honda Service, Rust Proofing I was under the impression that rust-proofing once a car had been driven for awhile would do more harm than good, since the net effect would be to seal in moisture. This information is a few years old, and came out of either a Chilton's manual or Consumer Reports. Perhaps techniques have gotten better in the meantime. Good luck, Mike ---- Message 4 (1201 chars) is ---- Date: Sun, 19 Nov 89 18:43:12 EST From: Ted Lehr Subject: rust proofing Indira, As I understand things, most auto companies (Honda, included) now use galvanized sheet metal (zinc plated sheet metal). This is very good agains rust, even if it is scratched (just as long as the scratch doesn't go too deep). Also, since most cars now-a-days have done away with a chassis frame, there are fewer suspension parts that are susceptible to rusting. Consumer Reports recommends against rust proofing now. Even it does protect a little of the under side of thee care, the real bad rust now starts when you get a bad scratch or dent in the car. I'd say don't do it. Instead, take the car to a car wash every now and then during the winter. Thre's a real good one (a do-it-your-self kind of thing) in ) in Greenfield on greenfiled road. Ted ---- Message 5 (1548 chars) is ---- Date: Mon, 20 Nov 1989 08:44-EST From: Steven.Roth@ISL1.RI.CMU.EDU Subject: Re: Honda Service, Rust Proofing Several years ago (and possibly recently as well), Consumer REports studied rust proofing and decided that AT BEST, rust proofing does nothing. More often, however, it causes more rust to occur because of holes drilled into the body. You might consider looking through consumer reports before you invest. We have 2 accords, which we purchased and have serviced at McKean. It's convenient - a short walk or CMU bus ride or Mckean shuttle service to CMU. They've been very good - they have a "team approach", where you deal with the same person over the years. Although the prices there (and at most dealers) are high, they've aften told me when I could save money by bypassing certain irrelevant maintenance suggestions. This has been especially helpful as my car enters its tenth year! By the way, the primary source of rust on my car are the drill holes along the bottom of the door where the car was rustproofed..... Also, in Pittsburgh, the main rust hazard is salt, which the city dumps all winter to avoid ice. The best maintenance is to get your car washed frequently though the winter after snows.. Good Luck Steve ---- Message 6 (1618 chars) is ---- Date: Mon, 20 Nov 89 09:13:47 EST From: Ajay.Jain@ANJ.BOLTZ.CS.CMU.EDU Subject: Re: Honda Service, Rust Proofing Indira, I am from Minnesota, and the weather conditions there are much more severe than in Pittsburgh. This leads to a good deal of road salting. Years ago, it was common practice to have cars rustproofed in MN. However, the manufacturers (especially the Japanese) have begun to do all necessary protective coating at the factory. A lot of dealers still try to push you into buying additional rust protection, and sometimes you have to have a car special-ordered just to prevent the dealer from doing this when the car comes in. It really is not necessary. Also, if not done properly, your car can be damaged. I own a Honda Civic CRX (1985). It had been driven over 30,000 miles in Minnesota before coming here. There is no rust anywhere on the car. My parents have a couple of Japanese imports as well. They are not rustproofed and have done euqally well. My advice would be not to do it at all (a Honda dealer with integrity probably would tell you the same). However, if you decide to go ahead anyway, have it done at a Honda dealer and make sure they give you an extensive warranty in writing. I recommend Valley Honda (in Monroeville off the Parkway). I hope this helps, Ajay ---- Message 7 (1195 chars) is ---- Subject: Rem:Honda Service, Rust Proofing Date: Mon, 20 Nov 89 09:23:57 EST From: Bill Hefley In your recent post, you indicated the following price structure: (3) I have spoken to the following service centers: Rust-Proofing Cost Warranty ============= ==== ======== Honda Village Ziebart $249 5 years Dean Francis TST $289 5 years Yenko Steel Shield $295 None Have you checked directly with some of these rust-proofing vendors? I noticed that Ziebart up by my house in Wexford had a sign up this weekend advertising an $89 used car rustproofing special. How does that compare with the $249 job that the dealer would do for you by taking your car to Ziebart for you? bill ---- Message 8 (839 chars) is ---- Date: Mon, 20 Nov 89 10:01:31 EST From: Frank Feather Subject: Rustproofing. Indira: If you want to know about the merits of rustproofing I recommend that look it up in Consumer's Report. Their year end buying guide is probably the best place to start. Generally, they recommend not getting rustproofing for you car, with some exceptions. Instead of me iterating through their reasons you should try to get ahold of the article and read it yourself. -frank ---- Message 9 (1165 chars) is ---- Date: 20 Nov 1989 10:15:30 EST From: Ruth.Shapiro@AESTA.SEI.CMU.EDU Subject: hondas Hi, I recently had my first accident ever. My Honda Accord needed a new front drivers door as the old one was badly damaged. I took it to Baierl Honda in Wexford (I'm new to the area, I figured a "Honda" dealer was my best bet). They don't really have a body shop as it turns out; Baierl Chevy next door does. Anyway, the did a butcher job on my car and I'm still struggling to get it resolved. Fortunately, I have another form of primary transportation because they have had the car on & off for a month. I think they're hoping I'll become so desparate for the car I'll settle for their shoddy work. I've also heard they are having problems with strikes, etc. by their employees as they are trying to break the union. Anyway, good luck in your search. Pgh can be a tough city to move in to. Best Wishes Ruth