Rust Protection for Strut Towers: How To Stop and Prevent Rust on Your Ford Ka MK2 Strut Towers

Why Strut Towers Rust

Strut towers play a vital role in your vehicle’s suspension system, but they’re also highly vulnerable to rust. Located in the engine bay and wheel arches, they face constant exposure to moisture, road salt, and grime — particularly in British weather.

If you own a Ford Ka MK2, you're likely aware that strut tower rusting is a well-known issue. Once rust takes hold, it compromises structural integrity, handling, and safety. In many cases, owners look for guides on how to replace a rusted strut tower—but prevention is always better than costly repairs.

Common Rust Areas on Strut Towers

  • Top mounting plates where struts connect to the chassis
  • Inner arches and seams where moisture collects
  • Spot welds that easily trap salt and dirt
  • Drainage channels that often block and retain water
  • Underside flanges vulnerable to spray from the wheels

Left untreated, surface rust can turn into dangerous corrosion, requiring welding or full tower replacement.

What is Lanoguard and How Does It Help?

Lanoguard is a British-made rust protection product designed to seal out moisture and arrest rust on contact. Unlike paints or rigid coatings, Lanoguard:

  • Seeps and creeps into seams, spot welds, and crevices.
  • Forms a hermetic, self-healing barrier that blocks oxygen and water.
  • Arrests existing rust by sealing it off from the elements.
  • Remains flexible, won't crack, peel, or trap moisture.
  • Is resistant to road salts, acids, and alkaline wash chemicals.

Important: Lanoguard is not a rust converter. It won’t chemically convert rust but stops its progression and, over time, helps push surface oxidation off naturally.

How To Apply Lanoguard to Your Strut Towers

Preparation:

  1. Clean Thoroughly: Jet wash the area, removing loose dirt, grime, and rust flakes.
  2. Dry Completely: Ensure surfaces are dry — moisture prevents proper adhesion.
  3. Optional: Lightly rub down heavily rusted areas to knock back loose oxidation.

 Application:

  • Use Lanoguard Moto Spray for precision application around the strut towers.
  • Apply a thin, even coat with our trigger sprayer, ensuring full coverage into seams and spot welds.
  • Wipe excess drips or pooling areas for a tidy finish.

Curing:

  • Lanoguard initially has an oily feel (Day 0).
  • By Day 3 it softens into a tacky, satin layer.
  • Fully cured by Day 7–10 into a soft, candle-like finish.
  • Avoid driving for the first 24 hours to allow initial curing.


Why Ford Ka MK2 Owners Trust Lanoguard

  • Tackles the common Ford Ka MK2 strut rusting problem before it becomesstructural.
  • Simple DIY application without the need for professional bodyshop services.
  • Long-lasting protection — annual top-ups maintain effectiveness.
  • Saves money by preventing costly repairs or full tower replacement.

Strut Tower Rust Protection FAQs

Yes. Lanoguard creeps underneath surface rust, seals the metal beneath and halts further corrosion. Loose flaking rust should be knocked back first.

No. Lanoguard remains flexible, self-healing, and actively repels moisture, even if the coating is scratched.

Absolutely. Lanoguard is safe on all vehicle components, including rubber mounts, brake lines, and electrics. only areas of avoid are brake pads and discs.

It’s best to leave the vehicle stationary for 24 hours after application to allow curing to begin properly.

Typically one year per application on strut towers and chassis. Many customers apply annually as part of routine maintenance.

Don’t wait for rust to turn into expensive repairs. With Lanoguard, you can protect strut towers and if you have a Ford Ka MK2’s protect its strut towers easily and effectively, giving you peace of mind every time you drive. Simple to apply, long-lasting, and trusted by thousands — Lanoguard is the smart choice for rust prevention.

General Frequently Asked Questions

Find answers to common questions and learn more about Lanoguard's products, applications, and benefits.

Moto Range is designed for all vehicles, bikes, trailers and machinery to name a few. It protects the whole vehicle underbody and chassis from rust, corrosion and electrolysis with a strong barrier coat. Find out more and see our Moto Range.

Marine Range is designed for boats and any machinery submerged in sea water. It protects from rust, corrosion and electrolysis the same as our Moto Range, but also contains marine growth inhibitors to stop barnacle build up on any equipment submerged in seawater. It is safe, non-toxic and marine ecology friendly. Some of its uses include on outboard and inboard motors including electrics, propellers and prop shafts and boat trailers. Find out more

Outdoor Range is a thinner formula, designed for metal, rubber, vinyl, wood, and almost all materials. It can be used on BBQs, sheds, fences and decking to name a few. It provides protection from corrosion, rust and waterproofs as wells preventing mould build-up in woods and vinyls due to it containing anti-fungal. Find out more

Lanoguard has been designed for yearly/seasonal applications. It should be topped up at least once a year to ensure continuous protection. Although due to the simple application process there’s no harm in doing an Autumn & Spring application! The product is broken down by UV, so the more it is exposed to sunlight the shorter its life span. Inside box sections or inner chassis for example, it will last longer.

The general rule of thumb is that a little Lanoguard goes a long way, 1.8L of moto spray per application. – is ample coverage for vehicles such as Land Rovers and Pick Up trucks any vehicles over this size we would recommend more than 2L. Click here to look at our range.

Preparation is very minimal - all you need to do is jet wash your vehicle removing any dirt and grime. Make sure you remove any flaking or loose bits of rust, paint or underseal. Sometimes a wire brush can be used if needed to remove flaking bits. Ensure the vehicle is dry before you apply Lanoguard – it doesn’t have to be bone dry, as Lanoguard will displace moisture to an extent, but ensure you do not apply to a dripping wet surface. See our how to apply page here.

Lanoguard is great for chassis with surface rust. It has a natural affinity to ferrous metals and will bond to the metal underneath any surface rust, it acts as a barrier by hermetically sealing to the surface keeping oxygen and water out - stopping any rust from developing further.

Yes, you most certainly can. Lanoguard works fine with almost all sprayers, compressors, and applicators. You may find that it uses slightly more product than our trigger sprayer applicators will, but you’ll still get a nice even coverage of Lanoguard which will protect well. We do have a range of sprayers and applicators available on our accessories page.

Lanoguard reaches its final state around 7 to 10 days after application. Day 0 it is “oily” day 3 “soft” and final state is dry to the touch, but you know something is there. Like a candle to feel. Maybe a little softer. It dries to a clear / transparent semi satin wet look and stays that way for some months eventually dulling a little. But always stays clear; and of course, you can jet wash it to clean it back to how it was when you put it on. It is best to not drive the vehicle for 24hours to let it get through the first part of the curing process.

Lanoguard is eco-friendly and has green non-hazardous certifications. It does not require special handling, protective clothing or disposable gloves, which all add to the carbon footprint of utilising a product that is hazardous. The primary ingredient of Lanoguard is Lanolin which is a very ecologically safe and sound base. In fact, an entire dam in New Zealand was moved down river on a base of Lanoguard marine grease which shows you how the river authority was not concerned about any toxins that would be left as a result.