In a message dated 7/10/02 4:28:22 PM, blackburn@CODENET.NET writes:

<< Does anyone know a good way to prevent seam rust before it happens. >>

Mike,

Here's my read on the subject:

1/ Don't bang up the van.  Even a minor fender bender will compromise the
seam sealant and affect seams well away from the area of damage.

2/ If ever I bothered to wax my van, I would try to force as much paste wax
as possible into the seams.  Sorta a carnuba putty, if you will.

3/ The most fastidious guy I know with the most pristine '84 ever to ply the
salt encrusted byways of the Northeast year in and year out, does the
following twice yearly:
a/ Wash and dry the van.
b/ Wipe it down with a liberal amount of mineral spirits.
c/ Go over the seams methodically with LPS-1.
d/ Wax the hell out of it with paste wax.

This fellow is unusually particular.  How particular is he?  A couple of
years ago he spent $5K (no typo, $5,000) for a new garage door for his modest
bungalow.  He wanted something simpatico with the house, so he had an
accordion door made up.  Nothing ornate, just 4 beautifully made sections
each with raised panels and 6 lite glazing at the tops, painted a tasteful
shade of gray, but made of solid mahogany!

After his weekly washing of the van, he also trickles LPS-1 into the seams.
He's gotten quite good at it and, with the van sitting level, he can meter
out just the right amount of LPS-1 so that hardly a drop drips from the
bottom of the vertical seams.

This regimen is not for me, but if you can endure the hassle, I can attest
that it works.

Richie