If you are anywhere near Canada, go to Krown Rust
Control place (I prefer this to RustCheck) EVERY year
(seems these companies are NOT in USA).  A well
spent $100 CDN$ at that.  Every year I take my van in
for the "job" and every other year I take my westy apart
(take out all cabinets and panels) and have all the rust
inhibiting oil sprayed in every crevice.  Not withstanding
this, (I'm the 4th owner) there was rust in a few places:
The horizontal panels on each side of the engine (under
each air intake grill) is a natural for rust and the starting
point for dreaded seam rust.  I go at that area every
month or so with a squirt bottle of the anti-Rust oil.
Good luck.  Malcolm

On 24 Nov 2001, at 8:32, developtrust wrote:

I'm going to do regular body inspections for
rust as long as I own my Vanagon to keep the
body rust free. Does anyone have any tips on
preserving an already virtually rust free
vehicle?

My neighbor did not know what naval jelly was
when I was treating the rust on my bumper
hitch getting it ready for paint. Now I wish I
had just taken it off and powder coated it. I
may yet do that.

That naval jelly is marvelous. It may take
several applications and a wire brush to help it
work into the rusted area but it eats away rust
down to the bare metal so well. It just takes
patience.

I feel very fortunate to have bought a van
whose original owner was European who knew
how to take care of the body of that vanagon.
So little rust it was almost perfect when I
bought it.

William