Rust is a word no Japanese car enthusiast likes to hear. A genuine concern with any import which, left unchecked, can easily land you with an expensive repair bill or far worse. This is why Torque GT includes a basic underbody protection as part of our import process. But why is rust such an issue, particularly with Japanese cars?

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Here in the UK, we use a mixture of salt and grit on our roads during the cold winter months. This mixture keeps ice at bay and provides much needed traction, keeping the roads open and ensuring everyone can go about their business. As the climate in central and southern Japan is generally warm the use of salt isn't required and consequently the car's produced for the Japanese market leave the factory with virtually no underbody protection at all. 

Whilst fresh water will naturally cause corrosion over time, the salty mixture that ends up covering our roads during the winter accelerates the process dramatically, meaning a Japanese car (or any car for that matter) that hasn't been properly protected will suffer horrendously. Left to it's own devices, rust will eventually eat it's way through the car's metallic components, potentially compromising it structurally and leading to costly repair work.

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Any well established importer should ensure your car is protected using some form of rust proofing or underseal before it see's UK roads, but this is by no means a permanent solution. Over time, and depending on the product that's been used, re-application will likely be necessary. Nowhere is this more important than on some of the seriously appreciating models.

Torque GT Dinitrol Treatment Centre

We've seen values of many iconic modern classic Japanese vehicles steadily rise over the past few years and one sure fire way to seriously damage re-sale values is with poorly maintained under-body protection. The slightest doubt that a car is rust free will encourage potential buyers to walk away.

Torque GT Dinitrol Treatment Centre

Treatment is only as good as the preparation, so any application begins with the removal of alloy wheels followed by a thorough deep clean to remove any dirt or debris. Once this has been completed, the bodywork is covered with a protective sheet and masked off to keep product away from the vehicles bodywork and application can begin.

Torque GT Dinitrol Treatment Centre

To tackle the hard to reach areas, we also offer cavity protection which involves using a high pressure lance to inject product into areas such as the chassis rails and behind panels. The products we use incorporate a rust inhibitors and a high creep agent, meaning it travels well beyond the reach of the lance and gets into the various nooks and crannies, displacing any moisture and forming a long lasting protective barrier.

Torque GT Dinitrol Treatment Centre

Once application is completed, the products are allowed to cure, usually for 24-48 hours, after which the vehicle is given a good wash before being ready to drive away!

Whether you've recently purchased an import that hasn't been properly protected, or if you just want to ensure your vehicle is correctly protected, we can help. Contact us directly and we can arrange a no obligation inspection and quotation to protect your vehicle.