Bust the rust

NEW ZEALAND’S CLIMATE IS MILD AND WE DON’T SALT OUR ROADS, SO YOU’D THINK VEHICLES HERE WOULD HAVE IT EASY WHEN IT COMES TO RUST, RIGHT? WELL… THINK AGAIN

According to Autoblast’s David Kirkham, New Zealand has warm, moist air which condenses on cold steel parts overnight making this the perfect ecosystem for rust, especially if those vehicles aren’t driven during the day, making it harder for them to dry out. Strangely, this means lowmileage vehicles will rust faster than daily drivers, creating expensive problems, or quickly diminishing on-sale prices on newer cars.

Adding to this condensation problem is our coastal location — as salt is drawn in, it holds the moisture and catalyses the rusting process. David says our location provides ideal conditions to set up under-body rusting in only two or three years. As such, he is keen for other enterprising business people to help protect vehicles across the country.

David has developed a unique service specifically to combat our salty sea air conditions. Autoblast’s Autolast process applies a variety of different sprays to coat all of the vehicle’s underside. They dry out, harden, and stay in place. They are thixotropic, which means that if they are struck by a stone, for example, they soften, remould, and harden again.

This is different from the traditional wax/oil rustproofing service that is usually only sprayed inside chassis rails. That solution is prone to slumping, often within a year, meaning protection fades. What’s more, external painted surfaces under the vehicle are left to fend for themselves. Autoblast also offers a goldstandard galvanising process — the most effective rust protection in countless industrial applications.

David is offering a franchise opportunity to business people around the country with the drive to fully capture this growing opportunity to protect New Zealand’s vehicles.

According to him, the gap in the market is such the Chatham Islands, and coastal locations around the country, are regularly shipped to Autoblast’s Auckland workshop. Also, with the influx of utes bought for use in rugged conditions, this gap is growing fast and presents an enviable opportunity for the right individuals.

For more information on Autoblast’s processes or its franchising opportunity, check out the extensive resources on the website autoblast.co.nz, or call