I see mine on the inside of the door skill, when detailing the car. I know what it is and know it will at some point become an issue. Very annoyed but a fact of life.

 

@warhawk77, I have read about your question about rust on the HHR. Greybeard999 has provided you with some great information about this.

Since you and are in states that use salt to treat icy conditions on the roads, I recommend keeping the car washed as much as possible. I experience rust at the bottom of my door panels of my truck too. I have found that mud flaps have helped slow this down, but washing her at least once a week has really helped. This is just my point of view.

Michelle, Chevrolet Customer Service

 

I bought an ‘06 this last spring. It does not seem to have any bottom of the door rust at all. I live in northern Illinois so salt is liberally used on the roads around here. The previous owner also lived just a few miles from me. The vehicle was originally bought in Peoria Illinois so its most likely spent most of its life on salty roads in the winter.

There is a Ziebart sticker in the back door window on the drivers side though. I suppose the original dealer may have been a Ziebart dealer as well and talked the original owner into the costly additional rust protection.

So, you might look your prospective new to you buggy over to see if there is a Ziebart sticker anywhere.

 

Find one that looks like this.

 

That's the one with the sealer.......

 

@bassbase, I have read your post about your situation with your HHR. You are on the right track with getting the vehicle into the dealership for further review of your bubbles. If you need further assistance with setting up an appointment please, let me know.

Michelle, Chevrolet Customer Service

 

I will have to check out the Ziebart that looks like a nice choice.

A few of the dealers in town offers free car washes for life so that is a strong selling point. I will pay a little more at those dealers but would be worth it in the long run. I plan on keeping the HHR for 8-10 years so that is a lot of washes.

The mud flap idea sounds nice I didn't think about that. But I have seen some after mark ones that where cheap.

 

So they just cover the rust up so you can't see it?

 

I don't don't think it will do much to stop any issues at the bottom of the doors since it is in the fold. Washing and wax will help to a point but little will change this. But 8-10 years it is unlikely I will be rusted through anyways.

Flaps of any kind will save your rockers door bottoms and rear fenders. They are a must if you have no step plate or SS rocker cover.

As for the car washes I think they are one of the things that kill the bow ties. THey use a strong soap and it can get in under pressure and damage the golh. I also notice too the rear gets damaged with some washer fluid running down the rear gate. I hand wash and never had issues with the front emblem and the rear did get damage last winter with washer fluid. I only hand was at home.

Some claim GM has a new bow tie supplier but I have not been able to confirm that. The did change the part number and often that is telling of a change in the part.

 

GM Knows some of the hhrs doors are junk and will do nothing after the 36000 / 36 B-B

All 4 of my doors were done 2 times in 4 weeks.

Right GM?