Love your old Jeep Wrangler or Ford Ranger? We don’t blame you. At BDR Automotive, we are fans of old cars and trucks, especially off-road vehicles that can provide hours of fun for the adventurous.
One thing is for sure, those vehicles can be victims of a hidden danger–a rusted frame that can mean an early retirement to the scrapyard.
The Causes of Frame Rust
Unfortunately some vehicle manufacturers just didn’t do a good job of engineering the frames. The arms that hold axles in place or the frame’s cross members suffer from rusting because some frames don’t have drainage holes or have some, but not enough to drain water away from critical areas.
How Do You Know if You Have a Rusted Frame?
Without a complete inspection of the frame it is difficult to tell if you have a rusted frame that is going to cause problems. Certainly, if something falls off, you’ll know, but a clue is if your ride is bumpy or the vehicle swerves all over the road.
What to do if you have a rusted frame
BDR Automotive learned from the experts: Auto Rust Technicians in Rhode Island. They have been restoring rusted vehicles since 1977. With his background in engineering, owner Jerry Carlson developed a process and kit for restoring frames to roadworthy condition, helping customers get years of additional use from their vehicles. Remember, rust is normal. What we are talking about is the frame of the vehicle that has become so affected by rust that it becomes unsafe. This process is not for the type of rust that affects a damaged fender after an accident.
The Process to Remove Frame Rust
First the frame must be sandblasted, and the rusted sections cut away from the frame. Then, using the SafeTCap® Frame Repair Kit from Automotive Rust Technicians, the frame is prepped and capped. The SafeTCap is welded to the frame, restoring it to “like new” condition. The new frame is primed and finished to enjoy for many years.
SafeTCap Frame repair kits are cost-effective and are made in the USA from cold-rolled steel. The process usually takes a few hours or up to two days, depending on the extent of the damage.
What Vehicles are Most Affected by Frame Rust?
Visit the AutoRust Technicians website to view a list of vehicles that are most affected by corrosive frame rust and that have SafeTCap® Frame Repair Kits to fix them.
How Much Does Frame Rust Repair Cost?
Depending on how much damage has been done to the frame, the cost can be from $600 to $4000! But the cars we are working on, like Jeep Wranglers, hold their value, so customers are willing to fix them, rather than having to junk them. Note that we are talking about vehicles that aren’t new! Manufacturers of cars and trucks in the late 2000s have, for the most part, fixed the drainage hole problem.
The vehicles we are fixing are from early 2000 back to the 90s, 80s, and prior years! Once we fix ‘em, they are fixed for life! BDR Automotive services owners from all over Massachusetts and we are often referred by Auto Rust Technicians.
Can Extensive Frame Rust be Prevented?
BDR Automotive can drill drain holes in the vehicle’s frame and then use Waxoyl® undercoating on the outside and inside of the frame to prevent the kind of damage that can occur without adequate drainage.
Waxoyl is a hardwax that provides superior corrosion protection for the underbody and frame of the vehicle. It forms a tough, flexible barrier that keeps out the elements while protecting against rust formation.
BDR Automotive provides frame rust repair, auto repair + vehicle maintenance and proudly serves our local surrounding towns of Holliston, Milford, Ashland, Medway, Millis, Bellingham, Framingham, Hopkinton, Natick, and Sherborn. We also serve, but are not limited to, Rhode Island and Suffolk County area.
If you suspect that your vehicle has more than its share of “normal” rust, and you would like to have it inspected and evaluated, give us a call at BDR Automotive at 508-928-9065 or email us using our website contact form.