RUST

One of the important steps I took when I purchased my van back in 2007, was to ensure I obtained the right protection for "down the road". With this in mind I paid something like $1,000 for Chrysler Rust Protection.
Upon noticing some ugly rust spots larger than a silver dollar on the sliding door, rear doors and one side, I brought it into the dealer.
They examined the van and after assuring me my coverage existed at 540,000km - they told me they would not repair the "damage" until the rust spots developed into holes, while openly admitting it would be easier to fix the problem BEFORE the spots turned into holes.

I suggested they were insane - and they seemed to agree - but it was a Chrysler Policy!!

My van is white - in mint condition except for the ugly rust stains - so it appears Chrysler would prefer me to drive around the USA displaying a rusting-out Sprinter (lovely advert), rather than taking the higher ground and repairing the damage which obviously exists.

Clearly in any measure, either the rust is there and WILL break into holes, or it isn't. There just doesn't seem to be any sense in waiting for structural failure to occur.

Am I missing something?

Since Chrysler no longer sells the Sprinter, they no longer care. Sad, but true.

Unfortunately, the fine print in an awful lot of rust protection warranties is that repairs will only be made once there is perforation (a hole). It's a weasel tactic as they know most customers will fix the rust spot rather than drive around with the ugly stain.

My van is rust proofed twice a year with the best product available in Canada, I have rust starting in several places. The NCV3 just has too many places where water and salt can collect, sit, and eventually overpower any coating MB applied or anything applied after wards.

Based on what I am seeing, there is no zinc dip (or some other process) used during manufacture before paint is applied. Once the paint has a chip or the water/salt gets under it, it has free roam right to the base steel.

My experience...it seems that vehicles designed in places that are not plunged into salt covered winter roads 4 months of the year tend to have more of these little pockets where crap collects or do not have a rust protection applied under the paint/primer. It's not just MB.

Typical experience with white Sprinter paint. Simply poor metal prep before painting and no or poor primer. I scrape loose paint away and spot with Rustoleum's rusty metal primer. Doesn't look good, but stops the rust and does so even w/o a cover coat - I have some that have been uncovered for over 2 yrs w/o further rust.

alans09r said:

Am I missing something?

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Yes.

Also in the fine print will be something to the effect of whether the rust started from inside or outside the panel.

Outside is obviously your fault due to negligence.

Inside is their fault due to defect.

Waiting for the hole makes it much easier to tell where the rust started... Outside, all the time.

i have a few rust spots on my '10 with 12,000 miles, my '06 was shot by 100,000 miles only the body panels the undercarrage looked new still on both vans

Where were these vans painted?

Supposedly in Germany.

I have an 07 with 260,000 kms and i can't believe how much the exterior is rusting. Paint quality about the same quality as the datsun i used to drive long ago. Zee germans should be ashamed.

come on now, those Japanese assembled Datsuns are some of the most durable cars on the planet..... Usually made in Japan, or Germany, is a sign of quality engineering..... usually...

Has anyone had their Sprinter clearcoated?

Not OEM, but after delivery in the USA.

Wow... Festool has car polish stuff?

What are the odds of that being available in the USA?

Do they make it or just rebadge someone elses product?

danski0224 said:

Wow... Festool has car polish stuff?

What are the odds of that being available in the USA?

Do they make it or just rebadge someone elses product?

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Festool products in the USA are mostly woodworking/cabinetry tools.

www.festoolusa.com

I don't think they deviate from this core competency in the US, including rebadging.

-Jon

jdcaples said:

Festool products in the USA are mostly woodworking/cabinetry tools.

www.festoolusa.com

I don't think they deviate from this core competency in the US, including rebadging.

-Jon

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Actually you can get them Jon ..But it appears again the Auto section is vague as

I think there is something under the paint, at least more than the previous models. I've had chips in the paint that didn't turn rusty until this year. Sounds like some of the older models rusted more profusely. I'm using Rust Reformer. It's not pretty, but it will keep the rust stopped until I do a better touch up.

eb

Altered Sprinter said:

Yes they are pro tools. Novice operators can't afford, appreciate the quality, or begin to understand the multiple applications of the accessorized formulations, especially the polish system's step by step applications.
Festo is global and no manufacture can come near to it's exceptionally wide applications of available tools, many of the wood working sanders and polishers are dual purpose which have as many applications of usage.

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I have a few Festool items, and they have been worth every penny.

Some of the pads shown above look a lot like Meguiars products.

from what I heard on the u tube video is a water based paint... its was one of the surprising things I ever heard of. I wonder if it can become a recall like ford did back in the late 80's with their primer.

mlf570 said:

from what I heard on the u tube video is a water based paint... its was one of the surprising things I ever heard of. I wonder if it can become a recall like ford did back in the late 80's with their primer.

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Just about everyone has switched to water based paint at the factory level. The science and products work well. Also water based has begun to show in the body shop repair level. Water based paint is generally not the root cause for paint problems especially rust. I say generally because any thing can go wrong........

If the base steel is not double galvanized, cleaned, well prepped, ecoat applied correctly, chip guard primer used in critical areas like the hood front the rust problems will continue. There are other manufactures having some paint and rust problems even with aluminum panels but MB appears to have more than their fair share.

I posted 10 years ago about the rust issues with my Sprinter.
However, here I am now at well over a million miles and still working with that van - original tranny too.
Lots of issues along the way and specific parts that a new Sprinter owner should replace - like a 3 pc drive shaft with replaceable U-joints and inexpensive hanger bearings. (I bought mine from Driveshaft Specialist in San Antonio - amazing service and quality).
Which brings me again to the rust problem.
Bye the way, this problem will affect all those other vans with vinyl side mouldings, like the Transit and others.
When I took off a moulding last summer - the pictures will horrify you at what I found.
To correct the issue I had to replace all the metal on the sides of my van from midway down.
(An Australian gentleman has a warning video about this on Youtube and how you might prevent it from hapenning - look for it)
Its all caused by those mouldings and the manner in which they are attached.
The holes drilled to mount them (not adequately sealed) and thusly open to water seepage which DOES cause a nightmare of hidden rust.

Hope this note provides fair warning to new van owners.
These Sprinters are amazing vehicles and can last many years and miles (mine is a 2007).
In one picture you can see my van photo from last year - all the major rust is simply hidden! Who would guess?