Ziebart CEO Warns of Increased Corrosion Risks for Newer Vehicles

Road salt can cause long-term damage to car undercarriages, but a protective coating can help prevent rust and deterioration.

Mar. 31, 2026 at 11:53am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Jon Oliver, the CEO of Ziebart car detailing company in Binghamton, New York, warns that newer vehicles are more susceptible to corrosion and rust damage from road salt due to changes in manufacturing quality. Oliver recommends an undercarriage coating treatment to create a protective barrier and prevent long-term damage.

Why it matters

As road salt continues to be used to clear snow from roads in the Southern Tier region, the buildup of salt under vehicles can lead to serious corrosion issues, especially for newer cars with thinner metal and water-based paints that are more vulnerable. Protecting the undercarriage is crucial to maintaining the vehicle's longevity and resale value.

The details

Road salt collects in the wheel wells and other compartments under vehicles after driving on salt-treated roads. Oliver says that since the COVID-19 pandemic, he has noticed a decline in the quality of new vehicle manufacturing, with thinner metal and more water-based paints that are more susceptible to corrosion. Ziebart's undercarriage coating creates a physical barrier to protect the metal from salt exposure and prevent long-term damage.

  • Ziebart has been in business for 67 years, founded in 1959 by German immigrant Kurt Ziebart.
  • Jon Oliver became the company's third owner and CEO in 2025.

The players

Jon Oliver

The CEO of Ziebart, a car detailing company in Binghamton, New York. Oliver became the company's third owner and CEO in 2025.

Kurt Ziebart

The German immigrant who founded Ziebart in 1959.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“The way it works is it's a physical film that's designed to create a barrier between the metal and all the elements to protect salt from getting entrapped underneath your car.”

— Jon Oliver, CEO, Ziebart

“Unfortunately, due to quality control, ever since after COVID, I've noticed the quality of vehicles have started to go downhill. The paints are water-based. The metal isn't as thick as it used to be. And corrosion still isn't a thing that manufacturers are thinking about. They're thinking about shelling out as many vehicles as they can.”

— Jon Oliver, CEO, Ziebart

“Doing nothing is the worst thing you can do. Just buying a car and not doing anything. It's the same as not doing oil changes in a consistent time, like what your manufactured date would tell you, too.”

— Jon Oliver, CEO, Ziebart

What’s next

Oliver said Ziebart entitles all customers who get the undercarriage coating to free checkups for the next 10 years.

The takeaway

As road salt continues to be a necessary evil for clearing snow, protecting the undercarriage of vehicles is crucial to preventing long-term corrosion and rust damage, especially for newer cars with thinner metal and more vulnerable water-based paints. An undercarriage coating can create a barrier to shield the vehicle's metal from salt exposure.