Rust question

[venturenot]

I was wondering if any one knew the effects of sea air on cars. The rocker panels on my 98 Venture were slightly rusted when I purchased it in PA 4 months ago.For the past 4 months I have been in GA and parking 100yds from the ocean. The rusting seems to be accelerating rapidly. Is it from the sea air? I don't see rust on other southern cars. Is the sea air worse on cars than the northern salt on the road?

Thanks

['97ventureowner]

That is a good question, and i wonder if any studies have been done on something like that. I do know that heat accelerates rust formation from road salt, (car in a heated garage can rust quicker than one kept outside.) My wife has relatives that live in Florida and whenever relatives come from up North to visit they tell them to go to the car wash as soon as they get into town in the winter as the road salt from up north can rust the vehicle quicker there in Florida. Don't know if that's true but it sounds plausible.

[rockwood84]

sea air has salt in it and will rust cars out. but not as much as the salt from northern roads.sea water will eat one up quick as most people that get in sea water head for the hose or car wash to wash it off. you see alot of cars on the coast with rust around the windows as this is wear the sea air settles. but heat will make a car that has been up north a few years and you move where it is hot rust out real quick.