Not too long ago, I had to take the large black plastic panel off the bottom of my car because it was hanging and scraping on the ground. I'm not exactly sure what the part name is but I assume it was there to protect a lot of components from water which will lead to rust. If that panel is no longer there, should I look into rust proofing the bottom of my car, if it hasn't already rusted?

 

It is a fiberboard shroud and it protects electrical connectors and sensors from water damage. You are asking for future trouble if you are driving without it

Rustproofing is a scam and a waste of money.

Telcoman

 

There is a couple vendors here that make an aluminum undertray that should ship for around 160 or so. Great deal and gives you better ground clearance + protected bay.

 

Plus it is engineered with an oil filter access panel that doesn't require you to remove the whole undertray to do an oil change.

 

Marine rust converter is a great option, stuff is sweeeeet. Works as under coat and to fix rust that is already there.

 

I drove around 2 years with that panel missing, including through snow and salt. Haven't noticed any more rust that was there before.

Most of the body has a form of undercoating on it anyway, and most of the suspension is aluminum. Short of the exhaust, and major parts of the frame, there isn't much to rust up. Save your cash