If you plan to keep driving your car until its wheels are falling off, then it is important that you protect its body from rust with regular washing and waxing. Since the formation of body rust will lead to problems with the structural integrity of your vehicle and can seriously damage its undercarriage, it is vital to take proactive steps to prevent it. 

To keep your vehicle rust-free for as long as you can keep its engine running, follow this procedure to correctly wash and wax it:

Step 1: Wash Your Vehicle When it Becomes Soiled

When road salt, bird waste, and dead insects sit on the surface of your car's paint, they slowly erode into the clear coat layer. Once the clear coat layer of the paint has been penetrated, this leaves the underlying metal compromised for the formation of rust. To keep the clear coat on your car healthy, you need to wash it regularly either by hand or in a car wash. If you wash your own car, use a mild liquid detergent and put a bit of baking soda in the soapy water to help neutralize any acids on your car's surface.

Step 2: Wax Your Car with a High-Quality Paste Wax After Washing

Whether you wash your car in a car wash or do it at home with your garden hose, it is vital that you apply a layer of wax to protect the clear coat, as well as:

• prevent water buildup on your car's surface
• prevent the fading of your car's paint
• prevent acids from damaging the car's paint

In addition, waxing your vehicle makes it shine and look wonderful as it ages.

If you use a car wash, then select the option for waxing. Alternatively, if you hand wash, then after washing you should apply a thin layer of wax. The best wax to use is a high-quality paste wax designed for automotive use. You can purchase this type of wax at your local auto parts store. Rub on the wax and then rub it off while polishing your car.

Step 3: Proactively Clean Spilled Gasoline and Other Stains as Soon as Possible

Finally, you can further protect your car from rust formation by cleaning any spilled gasoline or other stains from its paint job as soon as you notice them. If you spill gas or notice a large spot of bird waste, clean it with soap and a clean cloth. Once cleaned, then rinse with some clear water.