I'm in Idaho Things don't rust here. I have an old junk valance that I tested out my sand blaster on when I first got it 6 or 8 weeks ago. I blasted half of the valance and left it outside uncovered. It has rained 3 or 4 times since then and it's not even starting to change color yet so I don't think it will rust before I get done. I understand what you're saying about having a pro do it. I did have a pro do the important parts. But under the battery tray will never be seen and the area under the trunk behind the bumper well if anybody ever sees that I don't think they will live to tell the story because the tires would have got him first.