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280 N Hubbards Ln, Louisville, KY 40207
Call Us (502) 896-0305
Follow Us on:
280 N Hubbards Ln, Louisville, KY 40207
Call Us (502) 896-0305
When it comes to reliability and engineering, Mercedes comes to mind as a top car contender. With smart innovations and powerful engines, Mercedes-Benz keeps drivers happy on the road. However, this car manufacturer has been known to have a long-term problem in their models: rust. With the ability to completely ruin the body work, and given time, the structural integrity of a vehicle, rust has become the bane of a Mercedes owner’s life.
With this in mind, in this article, we will explore where rust settles in your Mercedes, how to best avoid it, and where to go for rust repairs for your luxury car.
There are many speculations as to why Mercedes, as a brand, has become synonymous with cars which rust over time. This problem is quite recent, as rusting seems to be an issue largely related to Mercedes vehicles produced in the 1990’s and 2000’s. Some say it is because Mercedes had to cut spending on their cars due to strong competition, and therefore, used thinner or poorer-quality steel, which may be more prone to rust. Others say that in this time period, Mercedes switched to non-solvent or water-based paints as well as using less layers to coat their cars. This meant that the paint on Mercedes vehicles would wear thin on high-use areas, such as doors and wheel rims, allowing rust to occur. Whatever the reason, it appears that the association Mercedes has with rust is here to stay.
Put simply, rust is formed when iron (or other metals such as steel), oxygen, and water combine. The water causes the iron to lose electrons, which results in what is known as oxidation. This oxidation is known as iron oxide, ferric oxide, or most popularly, rust. Because rust results when iron is partly broken down, rust represents the corrosion of the iron surface. It can spread via the weakening of other areas around it.
As previously mentioned, high-motion areas are some of the most common places where rust can occur on a Mercedes, such as around wheel rims and doors. Other common places you should keep your eye on include the front fenders, rear quarter panels, underneath the car, and behind the license plate. You should check these areas regularly as part of your ongoing maintenance practices.
One of the top ways you can help prevent rust from occurring in the first place is to take proactive maintenance steps such as washing your Mercedes. Washing your car regularly helps prevent rust from occurring, as it clears away dust, dirt, and sediment that can wear away at the vehicle’s paint over time, giving rust an opening to attack. The same can also be said for gasoline and bird droppings. With this in mind, you should aim to wash your vehicle every few weeks or as needed, when problem spots occur.
Make sure your wash the underside of your Mercedes, particularly if you live in an area that salts the roads when it snows. Road salt can really wear down the underside of your car. A great little tip you can use to help ensure traces of road salt are thoroughly removed is to add a small amount of baking soda to soap and water and use this to wash the areas of your car which may have come into contact with the road salt. Baking soda is great for both cleaning away and neutralizing the effects of road salt. Be sure to rinse your Mercedes thoroughly after cleaning, as soap that is left to sit on your car can also help to weaken the paint and invite rust in.
Finally, you should wax your car twice a year, as not only does this make your Mercedes look amazing, but it also gives your car a protective coating against rust.
When it comes to repairing rust on your Mercedes, 
no place is better than St. Matthews Imports in Louisville, KY. We have multiple locations, such as Hubbards Lane, for automotive service and repair. Our friendly, knowledgeable staffs at St. Matthews are always on hand to help with your Mercedes repairs and maintenance.