Rust Proofing Your Toyota: Is It Worth It? (Full Guide)

No one wants to purchase a car and have it rust after a few years. Rust and corrosion are surefire ways to reduce the resale value of your vehicle, which is why Toyota rust proofing might be a good option for you. 

In this guide, I discuss the rust proofing options for your Toyota. I will talk about the costs and give you the benefits of this service. Hopefully, by the end of my guide, you will have a better idea about whether you want to add rust proofing. 

What Is Rust Proofing?

An automotive rust proofing treatment is a specially-applied product that goes on the metal of the vehicle. It prevents corrosion from occurring because it keeps moisture from getting trapped on the surface.

Rust protection can be applied anywhere that corrosion is likely to occur. Treatment often gets applied to the doors, hood, fenders, and underbody. 

Without rust protection, the car can quickly develop rust spots in some climates. While these may only be small at first, they can quickly grow and ruin the exterior of your vehicle. 

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Benefits

Why should you consider rust-proofing a Toyota vehicle? There are several benefits to consider, but the main one is protection.

Rust-proofing your Toyota will protect the underside from corrosion.

Rust protection is suitable for a variety of situations. Let’s say you’re in a humid, salty environment such as the beach, or perhaps a snowy area where road salt is used. These climates and conditions open your vehicle up to more corrosion and rust simply because of the moisture and salt.

Another benefit is to increase the resale value of your Toyota. If your car is rust-free, it’s going to sell for more. Do you want to buy a used car with rust or corrosion? Neither does anyone else. 

Furthermore, your vehicle will last longer by protecting the mechanical components and underbody. You’ll need to make fewer repairs, and the vehicle will remain structurally sound for years. A car that is structurally sound is also safer overall.

Thankfully, rustproofing can be applied to your new or used Toyota. The sooner you apply it, the better it protects the surfaces, but it’s never too late.

Another aspect of rust-proofing you may have yet to consider is the environmental impact. Since there will be no rust on the vehicle, you won’t need to replace the metal components. With less waste, you do your part for the environment. 

Toyota’s Rust Protection Package

The dealership may offer you a rust protection package when you purchase a Toyota vehicle. With this package, Toyota sprays a protective coating on and under the vehicle before it goes home. 

The benefit of having it done at the dealership is strictly convenience. You aren’t going to get much of a discount this way. 

In my opinion, it’s best to go to an independent shop for rustproofing as long as you have time to give up your vehicle. The cost is much lower, and you may even get better protection. 

Using an Independent Shop

If you don’t want rustproofing performed at your Toyota dealership, it’s not difficult to find local shops that provide this service. A quick Google search will provide results near you, and you can read through customer reviews. 

I recommend this option because you have more control over the rustproofing materials and methods. You can call around and learn about the available practices to determine what’s best for your vehicle.

Additionally, you will pay less than you would through the dealership. In most cases, the quality of rust protection coatings is also better through the independent shop. 

Cost

The cost to rust-proof your Toyota depends on several factors, including the following:

• Year/make/model of the vehicle
• Current amount of rust on the vehicle
• Vehicle size
• Labor rates at local shop
• Quality of rust-proofing materials

I spoke with several rust-proofing providers in my area and received a few different quotes. Overall, the rustproofing costs fell between $150 and $600. 

If you want to get a deal, you may be able to work something out with the provider for multiple services. For example, there may be a package deal for detailing and rust-proofing simultaneously.

Toyota’s Rust-Through Warranty

Toyota does provide a “Rust-Through” warranty with all new vehicle purchases. I have the general guidelines for the coverage, but I also recommend checking your warranty protection since the information varies slightly depending on what model you drive. 

The typical Rust-Through Coverage from Toyota gives you 60 months of protection with no mileage restrictions. The 60 months starts from the date of the first use. It covers corrosion perforation of the sheet metal.

If there’s a defect, the warranty ensures the repair or replacement is provided at no charge. Any original body panel developing perforation is covered unless it falls under one of the exceptions.

According to Toyota, here’s a list of the damage that’s not covered.

• Fire
• Theft
• Accidents
• Abuse or negligence
• Improper repairs
• Misuse, such as overloading the vehicle or street racing
• Tampering or altering the vehicle with non-genuine Toyota Accessories
• Improper or lack of maintenance, including everything outlined in your recommended maintenance schedule, found in the owner’s manual
• Airborne chemicals
• Road debris, including but not limited to stone chips, salt, and rail dust 
• Tree sap
• Hail
• Wind storms
• Floods
• Lighting
• Environmental conditions
• Water contamination

It’s safe to assume that Toyota will come up with more exclusions as needed. Auto manufacturers are known for finding ways out of honoring warranty coverage, which is another reason to consider rust-proofing. 

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Is It Worth It?

I can’t determine if you should rust-proof your Toyota. However, some general guidelines will make the decision easier.

Start by considering the climate you live in and evaluating the road conditions near you. For example, if you drive in an area with a lot of snow, your vehicle is more prone to rusting. The same can be said if you live in a humid climate. However, this may not apply to you if you live in a dry environment with little to no moisture.

You should also consider how long you plan to own your vehicle. If you want it to last as long as possible, rust-proofing can keep it in good shape. Even if you’re going to sell it after five years, rust-proofing helps to retain the resale value. 

To help you determine whether rust-proofing your Toyota is worth the expense, I suggest calling some local providers. Get a feel for what it might cost for your vehicle. You may find that it’s cheap enough to justify the small expense.

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion

If you’ve previously dealt with rust on your vehicles, you know how terrible it looks. You don’t want that to happen again, but the issue can be prevented. With some simple rust-proofing, your Toyota can look as good as new for years to come. 

It doesn’t cost much to have the Toyota rust proofed. The small amount you pay can be seen as an insurance policy against corrosion.