Rust proof protection!

[Rio]

Ok, with the salty roads coming up on most of us quickly, I decided it was time to research our forums about rust proofing the F50. I found lots on the wools wax which people seem to really like , some the fluid film and some go with Krown. My question however, isnt about product, its merely about do you get the entire truck rust proofed or just the frame? Is there any advantage to rustproofing the aluminum body, will it protect it from corrosion or is it a waste of time. I talked to my local Krown dude and he says they do have the drilling pattern for our trucks. I would get the whole truck done if it is worth it and it will preserve the truck in some way, if not, I will just do the frame.
Lots of you have had these trucks for many years, some since they came out with the aluminum bodies so I value your input and experience with these vehicles. Thank you

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[oncechance]

I have the complete truck rust proofed by Krown.

 

[Rio]

I have the complete truck rust proofed by Krown.

Ok one for the whole truck!!! I did the krown on my 2010 Dodge ram, just sold it 6 months ago no rust at all. I will get the frame done for sure, still not sure about the body. Thanks for your reply onechance

 

[MJG44]

I do everything. Don't use Krown though.

 

[JCsTruck]

Oil like undercoating products are not the right products to use on a newer truck. They attract lots of dirt and make a huge mess underneath your vehicle. The best thing to do is to get a car wash subscription with undercarriage wash in the winter and run that thing through the car wash as many times as you can in a week to keep the salt off. Don’t park the vehicle in a warmer garage either if it has salt on it or you will accelerate the corrosion process. I’ve tried all those products like Fluid Film, NH Oil, Wools Wax, and PB Blaster Surface Shield on my 2014 F-150, and other vehicles. The only one that kind of works good and doesn't attract dirt is CRC SP-400 but it is expensive.

 

[Nassau]

I did my 2024 Lariat PB with FluidFilm in black. I had the shop only spray the steel. That is the frame, leafs, control arms axle, running board structure, etc. I did it in August when it was hot and man it stinks for a couple weeks. That was the main reason I didn’t want the body sprayed. Don’t want that stink in any interior panel spaces. They’re aluminum so they aren’t rusting anyway.

Also, I figured doing it in summer will get it dryer faster (reducing the smell) and get a bit of road dust on it to help hold it in place over winter. I bought a spray can and crawled under to touch up a few spots they didn’t spray. At this point, the smell is basically gone, but its been a month since the spray.

Early in the summer I noticed that light surface rust starting on the rear differential case and axle, so I painted it with the Tremclad Rust reformer in flat black. Now that also has fluidfilm on it. Hopefully that will keep the rust to a minimum.

So we’ll see how it goes this winter.

 

[Rio]

I do everything. Don't use Krown though.

like I mentioned, not about the product anyway, more concerned on what part of the truck people are rust proofing. Thanks

 

[Rio]

Oil like undercoating products are not the right products to use on a newer truck. They attract lots of dirt and make a huge mess underneath your vehicle. The best thing to do is to get a car wash subscription with undercarriage wash in the winter and run that thing through the car wash as many times as you can in a week to keep the salt off. Don’t park the vehicle in a warmer garage either if it has salt on it or you will accelerate the corrosion process. I’ve tried all those products like Fluid Film, NH Oil, Wools Wax, and PB Blaster Surface Shield on my 2014 F-150, and other vehicles. The only one that kind of works good and doesn't attract dirt is CRC SP-400 but it is expensive.

The thing that I am most concerned with are the areas we cant wash, inside the frame etc. I wash the salt off and under my truck regularly. I have seen pictures of people using wool wax and although it is supposed to give great protection, you are right, does kind of make a bit of a mess. Thanks for your help

 

[Rio]

I did my 2024 Lariat PB with FluidFilm in black. I had the shop only spray the steel. That is the frame, leafs, control arms axle, running board structure, etc. I did it in August when it was hot and man it stinks for a couple weeks. That was the main reason I didn’t want the body sprayed. Don’t want that stink in any interior panel spaces. They’re aluminum so they aren’t rusting anyway.

Also, I figured doing it in summer will get it dryer faster (reducing the smell) and get a bit of road dust on it to help hold it in place over winter. I bought a spray can and crawled under to touch up a few spots they didn’t spray. At this point, the smell is basically gone, but its been a month since the spray.

Early in the summer I noticed that light surface rust starting on the rear differential case and axle, so I painted it with the Tremclad Rust reformer in flat black. Now that also has fluidfilm on it. Hopefully that will keep the rust to a minimum.

So we’ll see how it goes this winter.

Yes before I get anything done I am going to remove the rust from the rear diff/axles and paint them. Those had rust the day I took the truck off the dealer parking lot, lol. So thats a frame only with a good reason not to do the body. Thanks for your help

 

[FaaWrenchBndr]

Oil like undercoating products are not the right products to use on a newer truck. They attract lots of dirt and make a huge mess underneath your vehicle. The best thing to do is to get a car wash subscription with undercarriage wash in the winter and run that thing through the car wash as many times as you can in a week to keep the salt off. Don’t park the vehicle in a warmer garage either if it has salt on it or you will accelerate the corrosion process. I’ve tried all those products like Fluid Film, NH Oil, Wools Wax, and PB Blaster Surface Shield on my 2014 F-150, and other vehicles. The only one that kind of works good and doesn't attract dirt is CRC SP-400 but it is expensive.

yeah, I’ve been doing that for almost 20 years, but I can tell you this, washing it doesn’t work as well as some of these undercoatings can

Unless you do an under body rents every damn time you drive it when the road is wet with the salt residue you’re not gonna prevent the rust at all

 

[PB2021]

I use Krown and do it myself. I just spray the frame, crossmembers etc. I’m less concerned about corrosion in the aluminum body. That said I would have no concerns getting entire vehicle done except I’ve read some accounts of dealers refusing to work on hybrid components sprayed in any coating. For that reason I do myself to ensure it only goes where I want it. Going into 5th winter. Very happy with the protection afforded.

 

[JCsTruck]

yeah, I’ve been doing that for almost 20 years, but I can tell you this, washing it doesn’t work as well as some of these undercoatings can

Unless you do an under body rents every damn time you drive it when the road is wet with the salt residue you’re not gonna prevent the rust at all

I work in the construction business and know many tuck owners. All the guys who own trucks and run their trucks through a car wash regularly in the winter have way less rust issues. The oil sprays work very well, no disputing that as I used them myself on many of my own vehicles and I learned about it from people at work.

Like anything else though there are some downsides to these oil undercoating products. These compromises are you need to apply these oils every 1 to 2 years and that is a dirty messy and labor intensive job if down yourself and done right. If you pay a reputable shop that is trained in how to do it properly then expect to pay ~$350 each occurrence which I bet not many are willing to pay. Another compromise is these oils attract dirt, lots of dirt, which tuns into a thick black sludge that sucks to deal with when you need to work under that vehicle or if its your mechanic then he will definitely hate you for it.

 

[IVD6G]

I did just my frame.

 

[FaaWrenchBndr]

I work in the construction business and know many tuck owners. All the guys who own trucks and run their trucks through a car wash regularly in the winter have way less rust issues. The oil sprays work very well, no disputing that as I used them myself on many of my own vehicles and I learned about it from people at work.

Like anything else though there are some downsides to these oil undercoating products. These compromises are you need to apply these oils every 1 to 2 years and that is a dirty messy and labor intensive job if down yourself and done right. If you pay a reputable shop that is trained in how to do it properly then expect to pay ~$350 each occurrence which I bet not many are willing to pay. Another compromise is these oils attract dirt, lots of dirt, which tuns into a thick black sludge that sucks to deal with when you need to work under that vehicle or if its your mechanic then he will definitely hate you for it.

I understand what you’re saying and yeah, I agree with you to a point.

Everything in life is a compromise. Undercarriage washing certainly helps, but it’s not gonna completely alleviate underbody corrosion.

So there are coatings that aren’t that wet, thick sludge, Cosmoline comes to mind.

I don’t use a mechanic, warranty, where it gets done at the dealer. If I’m out of warranty, I will do it myself.

Maybe I’ve been lucky but I haven’t had to take a vehicle to a shop in about 10 or 12 years

Got my ass kicked by a clutch slave cylinder on a super duty. Couldn’t get the air out of it and saved my ass. I had to send it to the dealer. They used to pressure system to get the air out.

 

[JCsTruck]

@FaaWrenchBndr , thank you for keeping things professional. I see you are a retired aircraft mechanic. I was once an ASE A1-A8 tech a long time ago now myself.

For my 2024 F-150 I am proactively painting everything underneath that Ford didn't and because the body is aluminum and I have noticed that aluminum bodied F-150 trucks seem to fair much better than the previous generation steel bodied trucks I will concentrate my efforts on the frame and suspension components. I will make sure I flush out that frame every year too because dirt will collect inside of it and cause issues. In fact, the oil based rust protection products applied inside the frame might be where they are a good compromise.

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