Hi all,

My new XC does not look to have any rust that I can see anywhere. This is so nice after the battles with my old wagon. My mechanic was very happy with the condition of the car, but told me to get the underside sprayed. Now that I have a car in good condition from the get go, I want to treat her well. What do people recommend as a treatment? Rust check, Crown? Other?? I'm in Toronto, so it has to be here somewhere.

Thanks!

Yaleh.

I have been Rust Checking my vehicles for many yers with very good results , I also live in Toronto and drive a 2003 XC70 and a 1990 740GL with no visible rust.

I work with a large Fleet and we have had great results with Crown.

The key is to find a good franchize that wants return customers tell them you intend to come back only if satisfied with the job.

Best time to undercoat your vehicle is in the summer or early fall when the chemical can flow into the seams and cavities.

Both products work well, again the dealer is the key.

John
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90-740GL , 92-945Turbo

What year was your old wagon? Volvo has done wonders with galvanized steel and rust through is no longer a problem.
The best thing you can do is use paste wax in the spring and fall, and wax everywhere. Including the door jams and the inside bottom of the doors. Don't forget the liftgate bottom.

Klaus
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I still miss my 164

Granted she were an old '89 245..

But what about all the other bits of linkages etc? Wouldn't it make sense to do some kind of oil spray treatment as another level of defense? Yeah, maybe I'm overreacting because I hate rust so much.. It's definitely heart warming to hear that rust proofing has become much better. Very warming for us here ;)

Klaus is right, keep it clean. Try to wash off salt even in winter (difficult as it will be when everything is frozen outside).

Okay. I will try to keep the ice off. So just go to the car wash? Maybe that's enough??

BTW- what's a good polish/wax to use? Any other tips?

Thanks!

Y.

Maguire makes a very good past wax. The liquid waxes just don't have enough buffering in them to get a real good gloss that stays with the car. Turtle wax also works. I use a buffer from Sears that works wonders on the flat surfaces, but all of the crevices are done with a pad and lots of elbow.

Coating the underside with an oil based spray might help, but the steel is quite thick and the salty roads wash the oil right off anyway.
Do they use as much salt in Toronto as in Chicago and Minnesota. Hint, in Chicago the snow plows are refered to as salt trucks :)

Klaus
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I still miss my 164

Okay Klaus. Paste wax it will be then. Thanks.

The salt is VERY bad here. Although I noticed they have been experimenting with spraying some roads with a salt solution before it gets really cold. Less salt in the snow itself that way. I think they are turning to sand a bit too.

The salt/rust is how we lost the battle with my old 245 :(

But, it really made me start to think about safety too. I have 3 kids, and I'm thinking they are a lot safer in the xc.

Now I have my fingers crossed that I have a good one. I've read that by about 2003, many problems have been worked out. Especially something to do with a new elctronic Haldex awd system?

Yaleh.

Just change the bevel gear oil every 50-60K miles and the awd system you have will be OK.
My 1998 runs great and there is no rust that I can see, probably a few bolts hear and there but nothing major.
Your new XC is much safer than the 245.

Klaus
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I still miss my 164

If you do elect to use a weather treatment, the following work pretty well: LPS3, Boeshield, and ACF-50. These are just spray on which you could do yourself.
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1998 Volvo S70