New Old Member - Rust Question
November-21st-2004, 10:21 PM
#1
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Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2004
Posts: 75
New Old Member - Rust Question
Hello all. I'm new to this forum, but a previous Protege owner - 99 LX and previous Mazda owner - 91 RX-7. I'm considering purchasing a 2001-2003 Pro ES. I've read all the faqs and threads, but I'm still not clear on the infamous rust. My 99 had it on the door skin, trunk skin, and window frames. It was a Florida car too. How many of you have rust? Has it reappeared after being fixed? Thanks all.
- Charles
- Charles
November-23rd-2004, 12:30 PM
#3
Im fastr then u think u r
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: Toronto IS NOT Canada
Posts: 257
I have had some rust spots to repair over the 5 yrs I have owned my '99. I have a warranty that my car won't rust through but I don't plan to let it go that far!
I had the car in under factory warranty for the dog-leg (infront of rear wheels). The rear doors weren't adjusted properly and the front wheels were chucking grit at the dog-leg wearing off the paint. The doors were adjusted and the dog-leg repainted.
I also had to repaint the window sashs, between the 2 rear door windows. I developed rust spots about 1/3 the way up on both sides!?!
I repainted the passenger side inner portion of the rear door at the bottom of the dog-leg. I re-caulked the body seam and repainted it...mainly as preventative maintenance!
I am still keeping my eye on the other doors along the bottom (normal for Canadian cars) but the trunk lid is mint!
I do wash my car very frequently and detail it often and wax it a few times a year...I always chamois my car, even the door jambs (keeps them clean so you don't get the dirt stripe on the back of your pants!). I could be diagnosed as Obsesive...but I've had many people who can't believe my car is 5-yrs old. Let me add, the car is Dark Blue...might as well be black!
I had the car in under factory warranty for the dog-leg (infront of rear wheels). The rear doors weren't adjusted properly and the front wheels were chucking grit at the dog-leg wearing off the paint. The doors were adjusted and the dog-leg repainted.
I also had to repaint the window sashs, between the 2 rear door windows. I developed rust spots about 1/3 the way up on both sides!?!
I repainted the passenger side inner portion of the rear door at the bottom of the dog-leg. I re-caulked the body seam and repainted it...mainly as preventative maintenance!
I am still keeping my eye on the other doors along the bottom (normal for Canadian cars) but the trunk lid is mint!
I do wash my car very frequently and detail it often and wax it a few times a year...I always chamois my car, even the door jambs (keeps them clean so you don't get the dirt stripe on the back of your pants!). I could be diagnosed as Obsesive...but I've had many people who can't believe my car is 5-yrs old. Let me add, the car is Dark Blue...might as well be black!
Last edited by RebelRacing; November-23rd-2004 at 12:32 PM.
November-23rd-2004, 12:35 PM
#4
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Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Michigan
Posts: 1,164
My 03 Protege5 seems to have plenty of zinc in the body. Car will not rust until the zinc is gone. Owned her now for two years, and not a rust spot in sight - not even in paint chipped specks on the hood. She's heading into her third Michigan winter, and I have no worries.
November-23rd-2004, 09:01 PM
#5
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Join Date: Nov 2004
Posts: 75
Thanks for your feedback. It's amazing how some people have the rust and others don't have a speck. I ask mainly because the local Mazda dealer does poor paint/bodywork, so if you do end up with rust - which is odd for South Florida to begin with - then you know going in that you're going to end up with something ugly.
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