Salt, Sand & Road Grime Protection: Coatings, Drain & Inspection

Road soup + steel + time = crunchy doors. Engineer against it.

1) Materials & Fasteners

• Stainless hardware wherever exposed; avoid mixed metals that galvanically feud.
• Use anti-seize on stainless into stainless to prevent galling.

2) Coatings That Work

• Zinc-rich primer on bare steel edges after drilling; topcoat to match.
• Clear corrosion-inhibitor spray on latch pocket and interior seams.

3) Drainage Logic

• Maintain door drain holes; never seal them "because water." Water needs exits.
• Create drip loops on any exterior cable run; downhill away from electronics.

4) Wash & Inspect Ritual

• Rinse winter salt weekly; avoid pressure washer close to electronics.
• Quarterly: remove escutcheon, check for rust bloom, re-coat as needed.

5) Gasket & Seal Reality

• Closed-cell gaskets only; replace if compressed flat or torn.
• Neutral-cure silicone at pass-throughs; don't trap moisture behind solid sealants.

Related Reading

• Weather Sealing for Vanlife Sliding & Barn Doors — Gaskets and drainage.
• Quarterly Van Door Service Card Checklist — Inspection ritual.