So, I did a good wash job on my KJ the other day, and I found that there was rust forming on the lower half of the outside of all four doors, (mainly the front two) inside the top of the tailgate (where the glass meets the body right under the 3rd brake light, on the outside of the tailgate, and under the rubber molding inside the tailgate on the body of the jeep. I cant imagine this is normal, as it has under 20K on it and is only 11 months old (almost). Keep in mind too that I had it professionally waxed when it was 4 months old, before it went through its first winter (I have reciept for this).
I can try to take pics, but it is hard to see as the rust is in specs here and there...
Is this normal? (I can't imagine it is)
What should I do about it? I have a feeling my dealer will give me the "oh, well its been through a michigan winter it is commpletely normal ...etc etc" gig.

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2006 Renegade 4x4

Should be covered under warranty and no it is not normal. I almost makes you wonder if they missed doing a clear coat on it?.?.?

The 05 libs have a corrosion warranty, this is straight out of the warranty book. All Panels 3 yr/ unlimited miles. Outer panels have a 5 yr/ 100,000 miles. Go to the dealer and have them do a warranty repair on it.

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'05 Liberty Sport
Bright Silver Metallic
Mastercraft Courser A/T tires
The trail always looks easier from the top of the hill.

What about discoloring paint? I believe they switched to water-based paint in '05+ and my fender flares are now a little more "stone" than the stone white it used to be

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DIRTY KJ :: flickr photostream
"Primitive life is very common and intelligent life is fairly rare ... some would say it has yet to occur on Earth" --- Stephen Hawking

I know the Wrangler flares are notorious for fading, have been for several years. I imagine the flares on the Libby are made of the same material and have the same paint.

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2002 Wrangler Sport

1961 Willys Wagon

No, thats not normal. This is the first time ive ever heard of rust on a libby, warranty will fix rust.

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LOST KJ'S
Where are you going???
Current Jeep: 2004 Jeep Liberty
-Atlantic Blue
-Air Ride Rear Suspension ; OME/Rustys Lift ; Powertrax Locker ; Moog Lower Ball-Joints ; 245/70/16 Yokohama Geolander A/T-S's on MOABS ; Flowmaster 50 SUV
Lost #007082
http://www.cardomain.com/id/jeepjeepster

If you're looking at your paint and you find small rust spots all over it, you're probably a victim of a problem called "fallout."

Fallout is basically small metal filing usually from metallic brakes or can be an affect of when a vehicle is shipped by rail.

The small metal pieces are hot enough that they imbed themselves into the clear coat of the vehicles paint and then after a while, they start to rust.

The easiest way to get rid of this problem is by cleaning the vehicle then using a very light compound on it to cut into the clear coat to remove the metal from the clear.

This should help you problem!

Best way to find out whether or not this is the problem is to try on a small area where it's less noticable and see if the compound takes it out of the clear coat.

Hope this helps!!

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2006 CRD Limited - 4x4 Black on Gray Leather

Having been the manager at a dealership body shop, I can tell you that rust only happens when bare metal is exposed to the elements.

Is it surface rust or do you have paint bubbling up from rust underneath it?

Now you just need to find out how that has happened.

Yeah, it could be rail dust, or fallout. But chances of that getting under a molding are pretty slim unless the whole body was also covered with it.

Could your 'professional' wax job caused this? That depends on how they did it. But to be honest, there is no reason to wax a vehicle that is clear coated. If that clear coat was damaged, then yeah, it could have scratched paint deep enough to uncover bare metal.

Whatever the cause, you need to take it to the dealer and have it thoroughly inspected.
Wouldn't hurt to get a 2nd opinion either. But don't hold that over the dealers head unless they give you some half-baked reason.

KJKev

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Yeah, a 2005 11 month rig ain't supposed to rust.....the excuse of a Michigan winter is joke...compared to our winters in Milton ON Canada....we regularly see a few feet per snow fall not to mention Arctic temperatures.....and ours....is entirely rust free.

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"Earth first, we'll Jeep the other planets later"

-2007 Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon.

Overland Expeditions

Take it back...shouldn't be rusting...I have an '02 thats parked outside all the time....and in the UK it doesn't feel like a normal day if its not raining! No rust anywhere on the body yet

I'm on my 3rd Michigan winter, with no rust. TAKE that puppy back!

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E.E.P. for my Jeep (EMPTYING EVERY POCKET)
2004 Limited - Stock no more
JcrOffroad sliders-Trail tested, mud approved
Frankenlifted
Al's A-Arms
Stock Skids
235/70/16 Cooper Discoverer HTPs

if you guys check here. you might find some rust. i found some on my 02 this past weekend in the same spot while installing my cb antenna.

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THANKS, BILL
02 Sport, factory skids, tow package, front tow hooks
Cooper STT 245/75/16
offroad package, pioneer head unit.
Rockfather I, LOST decal
LOST #040306

Checked...and double checked...that'd be a negative on rust. We endure heavy thick ice....sub-zero conditions, and tons and tons of salt on the roadways during the winter months....there are days my Dark Kahki looks white.....no rust anywhere.

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"Earth first, we'll Jeep the other planets later"

-2007 Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon.

Overland Expeditions