Applying Fluid Film to undercarriage, quick write-up with tips to make it very easy.

[staying_tuned]

Hey folks, just wanted to add a quick post on how we apply fluid film to our vehicles. I use this on our tractor, implements and just about anything that is metal and exposed to the elements. This stuff keeps rust at bay, finishes looking new and wiring insulation/grommets/harnesses supple. I shot the truck the first week we had it. I do the routine seen below once a year on our vehicles. I use the 360° every few years. I show how it works in a video but you don't need to shoot the frame cavities but once every few years, the stuff just stays put. This means that you can shoot the entire undercarriage yearly in about 30 minutes.

A gallon can be had on prime or walmart for right around $50. They offer black and original, I always go original because I don't like the idea of hiding or masking anything. So far I have zero rust in the typical problem areas but I wouldn't know if I shot the entire undercarriage with black FF. As for a gun and wands, I've been using this kit for years and it has been flawless. One nice thing about FF is there is no cleanup of the tools, containers, gun etc. The product just maintains its state and even the gun fully globbed up can sit for years and just shoot again when needed. I just wipe stuff down and let it sit until I'm ready again.

I don't do this to ensure the truck lasts 1000 years, I do it so that come resale time there is no haggling or question as to how the truck has been maintained. People, whether they know what they are looking at or not, bend down to look at the undercarriage. When they see one glistening like new right there the decision is made even if your truck has the higher miles of the options the buyer is exploring. Preventative maintenance of course is comprehensive but I can't tell you how beneficial it is to have a new looking undercarriage come sale time.

A few tips:
- Park the truck outside for a few days after shooting. FF has a unique smell that gets old quickly (at least for me, some like it) but after 2 days outside it dissipates.
- If any lands on the exhaust (mine always does) it will smoke a bit when you warm it up, after a drive it burns off. Same with overspray on rotors, after the first hard stop it will have burnt off.
- As mentioned in the sink video, if you don't have access to a hot water easily just use a bucket. Get a few extra canisters and just leave them in warm water until you shoot.

Here is my gear including the kit mentioned along with a few additional canisters.

Here is the best way (I've found) to fill the canisters. As mentioned above I never clean these, after I shoot a canister it just sits until I refill again next time. No need to rinse yada yada.




Here is the gun setup, really basic.




Here is the 360° wand.




Here is how FF flows. This canister was a bit low and would spurt but you get the idea.

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[basicbetty]

Thanks for this. Spraying a few spots on mine this weekend

 

[Kodiak]

Nice writeup. Thanks for posting.

 

[The_Auto_Tech]

I did mine with just the individual cans, but having a dedicated sprayer is a great idea.

 

[JohnTrigger]

Good write up. I like Fluid Film and have used it for many years under the Jeep. Good stuff. However, recently tried PB Blaster Surface Shield instead on the truck. Doesn’t stink as bad and supposedly lasts longer. We’ll see.​

 

[RCSB]

I’ve used it on several vehicles. It’s great but the original turns a black painted Toyota frame brown. It know it’s not rust, but the color of the lanolin. Still it bothers me. I used a Black cosmoline product on the F150.

 

[Kodiak]

I’ve used it on several vehicles. It’s great but the original turns a black painted Toyota frame brown. It know it’s not rust, but the color of the lanolin. Still it bothers me. I used a Black cosmoline product on the F150.

Cosmoline. Ain't nothing better.

 

[FaaWrenchBndr]

Thanks for posting……always love to see this. Still need to get mine done

 

[Jmitchelltfo]

God write up. I like Fluid Film and have used it for many years under the Jeep. Good stuff. However, recently tried PB Blaster Surface Shield instead on the truck. Doesn’t stink as bad and supposedly lasts longer. We’ll see.​

Read post #15........



B'laster Surface Shield Rust Protectant | BobIsTheOilGuy

 

[PB2021]

Krown for me. I think any oil based product that creeps a little is going to leave you in great shape. Do you do a full rinse prior of some other prep. Your rails look very clean prior to spraying. Mine are covered with road grit from prior applications

 

[oncechance]

Krown for me. I think any oil based product that creeps a little is going to leave you in great shape. Do you do a full rinse prior of some other prep. Your rails look very clean prior to spraying. Mine are covered with road grit from prior applications

Ditto on Krown.

 

[staying_tuned]

Krown for me. I think any oil based product that creeps a little is going to leave you in great shape. Do you do a full rinse prior of some other prep. Your rails look very clean prior to spraying. Mine are covered with road grit from prior applications

I love Krown, we'd leverage them every other year while we lived up in the Poconos. Sadly outside of the Northern Tri-State area they don't have any applicators. Now that we're back down south I've been sticking with FF. Back up north we'd Krown every few years then FF touch-ups along the way.

No prep underneath, I shot the entire undercarriage lightly upon delivery. It certainly isn't anti-stick but when it rains anything trying to gunk or pile up rinses off pretty quickly. I avoid undercarriage pressure just from living up north and seeing salt forced into crevices, essentially backfiring and defeating the whole purpose.

This 2016 Golf R was Krowned nearly its entire life (every 2 years, sometimes every 3) and served as a DD in some of the craziest PA mountain winters. It was 6 years and 90k miles old in this photo, undercarriage looked nearly as good as new. This second shot is our gladiator, sold it at 60k miles still looking new underneath, Krown as well.

 

[Babbage]

Nice write-up! Gung ho with sprayer - I use fluid film in upstate NY, winters salt etc. I just use the cans. I don't have any golden rust spots, not even the rear Axle, 2021 F150 except the exhaust. I used FF on a Marauder which did see some winters, and after 15 years the even bolts heads weren't "orange"

I do this at least once per year. I even do the engine bay a bit but use WD-40 as is not as messy in engine bay, keeps moisture out of electrical it is an oil and a solvent so it helps the engine bay stay rust free & clean. So yeah sheep fat and fish oil is a great all natural way to go.

 

[LoneWolf31]

Very nice, Thank you for sharing. I know the detailing shop in my area uses the Black Fluid Film. I havent done this yet, but will be very soon. I have been washing the undercarrige and washing the turck every week or every other week to get the grime off everything.

I may do this myself, my only problem is I dont have a lift. So I may just pay the money and have the detail shop do it.

 

[LoneWolf31]

I have been researching Fluid Film, WoolWax, and Surface Shield. I have an appointment Monday to get my truck under sprayed at my local detailing shop. Has anyone had issues with Fluid Film washing off? I know it may get thinner in spots that get hit with road spray and washing, but there is still enough fluid film to protect the frame and metal. has anyone had any issues with the fluid film failing before the year? I am doing research on fluid film vs Woolwax, vs Surface Shield. I am really liking the Woolwax, and will probably do it myself. I just don’t have a lift. I wouldn’t need a lift would I if I do the wool wax spray can route one would think? My second question, is would the spray can Woolwax have the same results and last just as long as using a sprayer?

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