Can you make your Gen2 last "forever"?

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by priusrust, Feb 19, 2025 at 3:42 PM.

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  1. priusrust

    priusrust Member

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    So true! Salt is insidious. You can spray under body with any type of rust treatment to no avail. Reason: salted slush water works its way into every nook & cranny and initiates and hastens corrosion. And too, when hard salt is applied, these sharp crystals bounce back up constantly 'sand blasting' the under carriage....so any rust treatment is to no avail. I think the worst aspect is the salt slush spray. ...seeps into rubber crevices, brakes, everything.....
     
    #21 priusrust, Feb 21, 2025 at 1:12 PM
  2. priusrust

    priusrust Member

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    Looks like CA & FLA not only options to avoid salt initiated/fostered/accelerated rust .... to purchase car from/ drive in.
     
    #22 priusrust, Feb 21, 2025 at 1:21 PM
  3. Leadfoot J. McCoalroller

    Leadfoot J. McCoalroller Senior Member

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    They're not, but... again applying the wisdom of those who went before us, there are still good reasons to look in Southern California and South Florida: Lots of direct flights, lots of sunshine (not just absence of salt) large populations sporting good car culture, lots of retirees selling off clean cars.

    That doesn't mean you won't find great candidates in other places- it just means that for the price of one trip you'll get to see many more potential candidates if you happened to start your search in say, Los Angeles or Miami.
     
    #23 Leadfoot J. McCoalroller, Feb 21, 2025 at 1:45 PM
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  4. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    I would move to Florida to avoid salt, but Mrs b is a party pooper
     
    #24 bisco, Feb 21, 2025 at 1:54 PM
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  5. Paul Gregory

    Paul Gregory Active Member

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    That's not the only option. I'd say a good job of undercoating is worth it.
     
    #25 Paul Gregory, Feb 21, 2025 at 2:05 PM
  6. priusrust

    priusrust Member

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    Heard boiled linseed oil works very good.....downplayed due to it being cheap (profit threat to commercial rust applications)
     
    #26 priusrust, Feb 21, 2025 at 2:48 PM
  7. Prodigyplace

    Prodigyplace 2025 Camry XLE FWD

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    Maybe compromise & move to Virginia. ;)
    Although that map lists Virginia as in the "salt belt" i have had no issues in south central Virginia. I even have a 2000 Tundra that was recalled due to premature rusting but have had zero issues with ours.
     
    #27 Prodigyplace, Feb 21, 2025 at 2:51 PM
  8. Leadfoot J. McCoalroller

    Leadfoot J. McCoalroller Senior Member

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    For my money, undercoating is great- if you put it on the car before any salt exposure. That alone can add 2 years. Repeat the undercoating again in a year or two, that might get you two more. After that it is diminishing returns.

    Rust plays a slow game, and it hasn't lost yet.
     
    #28 Leadfoot J. McCoalroller, Feb 21, 2025 at 2:54 PM
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