A 944 and Winter

Karl_W911 · Karl_W911's Garage

Just thinking ahead of time.

The 944 I'm buying has never seen snow in it's 118k mile life. I'm making it my new daily driver; But I'm worried about the winter, not because I don't think I can drive a RWD car in the snow, but because of the salt covered roads that would await me if I did. I'd also feel somewhat guilty about being the first person to drive it as such.

I haven't a clue about the process of galvanization, how it works, or how effective and durable it would be against salt corrosion; as it is 30 years old. But how bad would rust be for the car if, if I needed it for just one winter? At least until I can get myself a winter car.

Is there anyone here that drives their cars in the winter? Even with salt covered roads? What steps do you take beforehand to prevent rust? Not just on the underbody, but on the body panels as well. I hear that adding rustproofing is useless and also hampers with what's already on the car.

djnolan · djnolan's Garage

944s will rust out. Even galvanized panels will not hold off salt. Also there are two types of road salts, sodium chloride (table salt) and potassium chloride, which is even stronger. Rust will start along the body panel edges along bottom of car. Once it starts it will eat through the panel in a couple of years.

Salt is also sprayed on the roads in liquid form if bad weather is expected. If you get caught behind one of these spraying trucks you will start seeing rust everywhere in a year or two.

One thing boaters use is "salt away" or "salt terminator" . Spray it on the car (or boat) and it dissolves salt, but you can't do this if temps are below freezing.

Buy a beater for winter and save the 944 for good weather.

Jrboulder · 07-17-2014, 04:40 PM

I used to run my 944 in the winter but then I'd spend about 10 bucks at those diy car washes cleaning out the undercarriage a few days later.

fejjj · 07-17-2014, 06:16 PM

Buy a $500 beater for winter and keep your 944.....forever.

djnolan · djnolan's Garage

I just went thru a little rust abatement on one of my baby's, a car that was driven in Canada during the winter time by the previous owner..

The right rear quarter was rusting at about the 9 o'clock position. To get to the rust I had to dig out about two 6 inch sections of the butyl caulk in the wheel well and the boot . There was a rust hole about 1/2" by 1" on the inner fender where it meets the quarter. After a good wirebrushing I applied POR 15.

Stop Rust with POR-15® - We Know What Permanent Means!

The other 944's I have are rust free and stayed south of the mason dixon line.

Karl_W911 · Karl_W911's Garage

So I'm thinking I could maybe rustproof the car's underside with many layers of POR-15 or Hammerite and be fine for one winter then. What would I do about the rest of the body and paint? Would a major waxing help any?

sausagehacker · sausagehacker's Garage

Karl, I would just hose down the undercarriage every few days with a hose. Plus, the underside had a rubber-like coating from the factory.

FWIW my car was a New England car it's entire life up until last year, zero rust, no extra coatings or anything.

Karl_W911 · Karl_W911's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by sausagehacker

Karl, I would just hose down the undercarriage every few days with a hose. Plus, the underside had a rubber-like coating from the factory.

I was under the car today and wasn't sure. Would it hurt to add a little more protection? Or hurt what's already there? I'm not sure a hose will be accessible where I am in the winter and the one's at my house will be frozen solid.

Arizona_928 · 07-21-2014, 05:24 AM

You can buy the rustoleum rubberized undercarrage coating. They have my local homedepot. Used it on my old jeep. it works....
what's that wiring to?!

Karl_W911 · Karl_W911's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by AZ_porschekid

You can buy the rustoleum rubberized undercarrage coating. They have my local homedepot. Used it on my old jeep. it works....
what's that wiring to?!

How much rostoleum did you use in layers? Will it need some protection-like clearcoat on top? And the rubber, does it harden or maintain some softness?

I haven't a clue what that wire's for now that you mention it; no one noticed it during the inspection. Anyone else know what it could be?

mcanan · 07-21-2014, 07:29 AM

The rust prevention stuff is only good for really clean areas. Really hard to get to all the nooks and crannies. If rust has always started...covering it up with these products won't help too much at all. Buy a winter junker..my humble opion.

mcanan · 07-21-2014, 07:33 AM

Wire...appears to be going to the rear...Capt. Obvious...guessing a jumper wire deal for the fuel tank or rear lights.

Karl_W911 · Karl_W911's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by mcanan

The rust prevention stuff is only good for really clean areas. Really hard to get to all the nooks and crannies. If rust has always started...covering it up with these products won't help too much at all. Buy a winter junker..my humble opion.

There's no rust under the car right now. I just thought that some protective layer of something would possibly help or prevent future rust if any.

mcanan · 07-21-2014, 09:48 AM

It wouldn't hurt!! Bottom does look really good. I like the rubberized products..Autozone has them. My 85 944 really doesn't like the snow at all! Even with new tires it has a problem with tracking and the rear end wants to come around in the Ohio snow. I haven't put it in the ditch yet.

Karl_W911 · Karl_W911's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by mcanan

It wouldn't hurt!! Bottom does look really good. I like the rubberized products..Autozone has them. My 85 944 really doesn't like the snow at all! Even with new tires it has a problem with tracking and the rear end wants to come around in the Ohio snow. I haven't put it in the ditch yet.

How much Rustoleum do you think I'd need(layer and can wise) to get maximum protection? And whereabouts are you in Ohio, if you don't mind my asking?

mcanan · 07-21-2014, 10:16 AM

Thinking 4 cans..that a guess. More is better..just a complete coat with the rubberized stuff..goes on pretty thick..unlike regular spray paint rust preventive items. SE Ohio..south of Athens..near the Ohio River around Pomeroy. Formally from Columbus until I retired. More than you wanted/needed!

Karl_W911 · Karl_W911's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by mcanan

Thinking 4 cans..that a guess. More is better..just a complete coat with the rubberized stuff..goes on pretty thick..unlike regular spray paint rust preventive items. SE Ohio..south of Athens..near the Ohio River around Pomeroy. Formally from Columbus until I retired. More than you wanted/needed!

No worries. My dad's from Akron, born and raised. Not sure how close/far away that is. I'm the first in my family born and raised in Michigan, Southfield, SE Michigan to be exact.

I'm gonna buy soo many cans and try for at least 4 layers. Do I need to take the underside apart to do this or can I just spray it as is if I put it on a lift? What do you think?

mcanan · 07-21-2014, 10:43 AM

Four coats seems a bit much! Get a can and experiment on a piece of cardboard to get a feel of how thick it's going to be. Don't see any reason to take anything apart to do this. I do recommend keeping it away from wiring/axles/brake lines and thing that need to be accessed to be serviced or move..good luck. PS Way south of Akron.

mazdaverx7 · 07-21-2014, 10:45 AM

All rust issues aside, my other worry would be either loss of control of the car due to the weather. You can still drive slowly and safely, but there's always black ice to watch out for and deep snow drifts and such. Its a gamble. The other thing is other idiot motorists that may not drive as cautiously as you and one of those boneheads could easily hit you and total your 944.

I say forget driving the car in the winter. Save up before winter and buy a winter car that you will not mind something happening to. I would not risk driving any of my 944's in the winter. Just would not happen.

Karl_W911 · Karl_W911's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by mazdaverx7

All rust issues aside, my other worry would be either loss of control of the car due to the weather. You can still drive slowly and safely, but there's always black ice to watch out for and deep snow drifts and such. Its a gamble. The other thing is other idiot motorists that may not drive as cautiously as you and one of those boneheads could easily hit you and total your 944.

I say forget driving the car in the winter. Save up before winter and buy a winter car that you will not mind something happening to. I would not risk driving any of my 944's in the winter. Just would not happen.

I just don't think I'll have enough for a worthwhile winter car by the time snow hits. I don't want a cheap POS either to have to drive for 4-5 months.