Jetta Rust?

[mason_RsX]

Look at buying a jetta tdi I was warned by a source I trust pretty well that in the long run Jetta's have some serious rust problems...If anybody can testify either way it would help me alot

[matt919]

any car can rust.. just depends on how well it is taken care of. there sa 91 jetta in my family, which has not a centimeter of rust on it. Where as, a friend of mine, has a 92 jetta, whos doors are covered in patches of rust.

[fastmaxxcooper]

my 98 is rust free. just gotta baby it and take care of ne rust spots u see forming. underneath sand and primer but on the body ur gonna have to get a little more involved

[sbrake]

I have an 89 Jetta which has the original paint and only a few small spots. Was doing the touchups today actually. I have lived in Halifax NS for the past twelve years.(right on the atlantic for you landlubbers). Keep it well cleaned and waxed and it will last a long time. Don't and they won't.

[Liko]

VW seems to rely on multiple coats of paint over every metal surface instead of galvanized steel, certainly on the older models. They solve two problems that way: they don't need matching primers, and they don't need galvanized steel (which of course costs more).

Rust shouldn't be a real problem as long as you touch up bare metal whenever you wash your car, at least once a month. If rust spots do appear, a little 320 grit sandpaper will make it go away, then paint thickly with touch-up. For larger areas or to preserve the new look of the finish, I'd consult a body shop.

[swipter]

I don't know if I would use 320 paper. I would probably go finer.

[Liko]

Originally Posted by swipter

I don't know if I would use 320 paper. I would probably go finer.

600 or better would be ideal, but remember that touch-up paint isn't exactly pretty to begin with. If you were spraying, I would definitely suggest finer, like 480-600, and even finish with 1200.

[GotJetta]

It seems the mexican and American Jettas rust more, I own a 1988 and 1992 jetta GLI (German Built) and no rust on either of them. I heard from several sources that German Jettas are Hot Dipped in Anti-corrosive Wax to prevent rust.

Ernie