One of the most common problems that people who talk about Jeep Wranglers tend to mostly point out is the rusting problem.
One thing that you might not have known is that the Jeep Wrangler was designed to be near perfect and the only flaw that people seem to often point out is rusting.
The truth though is that rust is not that much of a problem. The Jeep Wrangler might be a bit more rust-proof than it was previously thought out to be and if it gets rusty it is quite easy to fix.
Contents
Do Jeeps Rust Fast?
Jeeps do rust but to say that they rust quickly would be a bit an overstatement. Over the years the manufacturers of the Jeep Wrangler have been trying to minimize the use of iron alloys.
In the parts that use alloys with iron, they ensure that they are painted to avoid rusting. There are areas though that still seem to be susceptible to rusting.
The good thing though is that there are several effective means to deal with the rust.
Why Do Jeeps Rust So Much?
To say that Jeeps rust “so much” would be a bit of blowing the problems out of proportion.
Jeeps do rust and the main reason for this is the type of material used to make the Wrangler.
Oxidation
If you didn’t know, rusting is a result of oxidation. Oxidation is generally a reaction between atmospheric oxygen, iron, and moisture.
Some of the materials used to make parts of the Jeep Wrangler are alloys and they contain iron.
Alloys are stronger than plastic and carbon fiber that is used to make some other smaller vehicles and the main problem that comes with alloys (that contain iron) is they rust.
Can We Say Jeep Wranglers “Rust So Much”?
The fact that Jeeps have more surface area with “iron” makes them quite susceptible to rust.
If you were wondering where the “rust so much” part comes from, the answer is that the Jeep Wrangler’s rusting compared to vehicles without a trace of iron on their bodies.
If there is no iron then certainly rusting won’t take place.
Where To Look for Rust on A Jeep Wrangler
A Jeep Wrangler is one of the toughest vehicles available on the car market. The main reason for this “tough persona” is the material that is used to make the Jeep Wrangler.
The Jeep Wrangler is made mostly of metal alloys. This means the metal alloys if they have iron they are susceptible to rust.
The good thing though is that not all points of the vehicle are susceptible to rust. Certain areas are most likely going to have a bit of rust compared to others.
There are not many places that often get rusty on the Wrangler. One particular place though that seems to be quite a common rust spot is the base of the front fenders.
This area is most likely going to have a lot of moisture exposure and because of the shape of the fenders, their Jeep is likely going to retain moisture.
The frame rails are also a hotspot for rust. The good part though is that the frame rails are quite exposed. This means there is no complexity when it comes to checking out the rails and you won’t need to part with cash to do that.
Another part of the Wrangler that might give you a bit of a problem with rust is the floor pans.
The floor pans are most likely going to get in contact with moisture than most internal parts. That is one place you need to look out for.
Other areas that you have to look out for include the rear corners as well as the door bottoms.
How Do I Stop My Wrangler from Rusting?
There are several methods that you can use to prevent your Jeep Wrangler from rusting.
The best part is that most of these methods are economic and quite easy, you won’t need any professional help
Waxing
This has to be one of the most cost-effective methods of preventing rust for anyone looking to keep their Jeep Wrangler in perfect shape.
Wax repels water. This means that your Jeep Wrangler will not be affected by rust.
As we have already highlighted for rusting to take place there should be moisture, oxygen, and iron. Taking moisture out of the question pretty much protects your Wrangler from rust.
The best thing is you do not have to wax your car that often. Thrice or four times a year will do. As a bonus, your Wrangler will look sleek.
Oversize Plastic Fenders
Oversize plastic fenders might not be the most attractive means to prevent your Jeep Wrangler from rusting but it works like magic.
Over the years Jeep has been putting a lot of effort into ensuring that you won’t have a lot of problems with rust.
For the most part, they have eliminated most of the metal “iron” alloys used to make the car.
Areas like the bottom part of the front fenders are largely made up of iron and the shape of that part enables it to hoard moisture. By using oversize fenders, the car can easily get rid of the excess moisture.
Can You Fix Rust on a Jeep Wrangler?
Rusting on your Jeep Wrangler can be fixed quite easily. What is very important is noticing rust as quickly as possible.
This gives you a chance to use over-the-counter solutions that are cost-effective.
One thing that is very important though is to ensure that you notice the rust before it becomes decayed.
How Do I Get the Rust Off from My Jeep?
Replacing Panels
Depending on your budget you can go from extreme to minor in terms of getting rid of rust on your Jeep Wrangler.
If the rust has had a huge chunk of a body panel, you can get a new entire panel.
This will set you off a couple of thousands of dollars depending on the size of the panel you want to replace.
Sand Papering and Painting
This is one of the easiest methods of dealing with a rusting Jeep Wrangler. The best part is that you can easily do this on your own.
For less than a hundred dollars you can fix a large rust patch. The first step is to make sure that you identify the rusting area.
Once identified, sandpaper it to remove all the visible rust from the Wrangler’s body.
Once you can see the clean metal body without rust particles obstructing it, then you are good to go.
The next part would be to paint the surface first with a primer then with the paint that matches the coat of your Jeep Wrangler.
You can go to the hardware with a picture of your Wrangler/ exact color code of your jeep and they will give you the perfect matching paint.
If you do decide to get yourself a Jeep Wrangler or if you already own one, rust is not much of an issue.
Prevention steps like regular washing (with high-pressure water if possible) and allowing your car to dry will ensure you won’t have a rust problem.
Going off-road might slightly increase the chances of your car getting rusty, but we would not want you to have a discounted experience.
Go off-road and enjoy the experience.
Do Enjoy your Jeep and wash it afterward!
FAQ:
01. Should I buy a jeep with rust?
Yes, you can buy a rusty Jeep and repair it for quite cheap. But it is better to make sure that it is not rotten though.
02. Can You Paint to Remove Rust?
Yes, paint can work to prevent rusting, but you first have to make sure to sandpaper the panel until it has no rust
03. Will Rusting Lead to Decay?
If rust is not detected and removed promptly it can eventually lead to rotting.
Conclusion.
So far you got to know how jeep wranglers can get rust, what are the fixes you have to fix rusting and what are the things you can do to prevent rusting.
If you think this guide may be helpful for your fellow jeepers, you can share this with them. You just have to hit one of the share buttons below!
Peace!!