Rusting even on a new car? The story of "Mazda Genuine Noxudol" that you'll regret not knowing (Part 1)

A thorough explanation of the differences from general rustproofing and specialized shops

■ Why does it rust even though it's a new car?

You bought it brand new, yet a few years later, the undercarriage is rusting—.
Actually, this is by no means a rare occurrence.

People living in snowy regions or those who have many opportunities to go to the mountains for skiing or snowboarding should be especially careful.
The snow-melting agents (so-called calcium chloride) spread on roads damage cars more than you can imagine.
Moreover, the troublesome part is that rust has often already progressed by the time you notice it.

Once rust starts to progress, it is basically impossible to restore it to its original state.
That is precisely why many people think about this at least once.

Should I get rustproofing done?Is chassis black enough?
Is there any point in expensive treatments like Noxudol?

■ But in reality, people often "get it done without really knowing"

In reality, most cases are decided without thinking that deeply about it.

When asked at a dealership or repair shop, "What would you like to do about rustproofing?"
you answer, "I'll just take it, thanks." And that's where the conversation ends.

As a result,

• what kind of rustproofing was applied

• how far the treatment extends

• why it costs that much

You end up taking delivery of the car without knowing these important details.

■ A fundamental question: Why does Mazda use Noxudol as a genuine product?

Here, a simple but important question arises.

Even though repair shops and gas stations say they can provide "rust proofing,"
why does the manufacturer go out of its way to provide Noxudol as a genuine accessory?

Is standard rust proofing not enough?
I understand that it's expensive, but how does the content differ?
And what is the difference between this and the application done at a specialty shop?

In this article, we will sort out these vague questions one by one.

■ Knowing "standard rust proofing" before comparing

The rust proofing that many people receive is what is known as chassis black,
undercoating, or rust-preventive wax.

Chassis black is a black paint that covers the undercarriage to improve its appearance while providing a certain level of rust protection. However, the coating is thin, tends to crack or peel over time, and does not reach the inside.

Undercoating uses rubber-based materials to provide thickness, making it resistant to damage such as stone chips. However, this is also basically limited to protecting the exterior.

On the other hand, rust-preventive wax is a type that penetrates the interior to suppress the progression of rust, but its physical protective power on the outside is weak.

As you can see from this, general rust proofing tends to lean toward either "protecting the outside" or "protecting the inside."

■ Noxudol has a different "philosophy of protection"

This is the major turning point.

Noxudol is not a rust-proofing product that handles everything with a single liquid agent.
It is characterized by
using multiple agents for different parts, such as types for the interior, exterior, high-penetration types, and thick-film types.

• Interior (hollow structures, welded parts) Uses a thin, highly penetrating type to enter narrow gaps and suppress the source of rust.

• Exterior (undercarriage, frame) Uses a type that creates a soft, thick film to protect against stone chips and impacts.

In other words, it achieves the two roles of "protecting the inside with penetration and the outside with a thick film" simultaneously by using different agents.

This "proper use" is the strength of Noxudol, and at the same time, it is also the reason why the application is time-consuming and difficult.

■ So, what is the "reason it's expensive"?

It is natural to feel that Noxudol is expensive, but the reason lies more in the "effort and environment required for application" than in the material costs.

As mentioned in the previous chapter, because Noxudol uses multiple agents for the interior, exterior, etc., there are many work processes to begin with, and it takes time. Furthermore, because the drying time and application method differ for each agent, finishing just one vehicle involves a significant amount of work.

In addition to this, the price also varies depending on the location and system where the application is performed.

Genuine application performed at Mazda's shipping centers is carried out while the new car is in a clean state, and the application amount and coverage area are strictly managed. Although they do not disassemble the vehicle, the quality is stable because the environment is well-equipped.

On the other hand, dealer application varies in work environment and time depending on the store, and it tends to be a simplified process. While it is convenient, the reality is that the finish is prone to inconsistency.

Specialized shops offer a different level of service, as they disassemble parts to apply the treatment to the interior, resulting in longer work times and the highest level of perfection. However, quality varies greatly depending on whether they understand the weaknesses and areas where application is prohibited for each vehicle model, so choosing the right shop is important.

In other words, the price of Noxudol is determined not by the "cost of materials," but by the "number of steps" and the "difference in application environment".

■ The answer to "Is it worth it?"

Whether Noxudol is worth it depends on how long you intend to drive that car.

Its greatest strength is its ability to protect the interior and the fact that the outer coating is likely to last for a long time, and the difference becomes apparent as time passes.

Although it is hard to tell in the short term, if you plan to drive it for more than 5 years, it is a strong option.

■ The reality of durability

Although there is no specific mention of durability in the official catalog, specialized shops often advise that it "lasts for about 5 to 10 years".
However, the actual effect is greatly influenced by the usage environment, and especially in snowy regions, it is common to
perform inspections or partial re-application every 3 to 5 years.

Overall, it is reasonable to view about 3 to 7 years as the realistic durability, and it may last longer if conditions are good. Although Noxudol is "long-lasting," the correct way to approach it is to consider it

maintenance-type rust prevention that assumes regular inspections.

However, there is one reality you should know here.
Stores that can perform re-application using Noxudol itself at a dealer are limited to certain areas, such as regions with heavy snowfall
. In many regions, repairs after inspections are generally handled with chassis black or simple rust inhibitors, and a "system that can continue maintenance with genuine Noxudol" is not established nationwide.

Even so, compared to chassis black, whose effectiveness tends to drop in about six months to a year, the durability of Noxudol is clearly superior.

■ Why does the application quality vary?

While Noxudol is excellent in terms of performance, the application itself is by no means easy.

The liquid is prone to scattering, takes time to dry, and requires high skill and effort to treat the interior thoroughly. Furthermore, without a dedicated paint booth, ventilation equipment, and masking space, there is a risk of failing to create a uniform film thickness or contaminating the vehicle and its surroundings
.

In other words, Noxudol is not the type of rust prevention where "anyone can get the same finish if the materials are good," but rather
an application that only demonstrates its true performance when the three elements of equipment, environment, and technology are all present
.

This is also the reason why there is a big difference in the finish between specialized shops and others.

■ Summary

General rustproofing tends to focus on either the outside or the inside, but Noxudol has a structure that covers both simultaneously. The difference in price is directly linked to the content and precision of the application.

And the most important thing is to choose not based on 'which one is the correct answer,' but from the perspective of 'how long and in what environment will you be driving it.'

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