I didn't read the entire thread, because I am lazy. But, I did go out and check and didn't find any rust, just mold/mildew, because I am in FL. When I went to re-install the weatherstrip, I found it wasn't easy going in. Then I thought to my self, "How do you stop rust, you oil the surface" So I got a little motor oil Mobil-1 of course, put some on my finger, and lubed the area on the door, and then a little on the weatherstrip for ease of instalation. This should prevent rust from forming, because it doesn't have a stabile surface to grow on. I hope this helps out people who don't have rust yet, and want to prevent it.