Rust proofing

[cbenz2486]

Earlier this week got my truck bed done with Line X. They offer undercoating/rust proofing. Has anyone had this done? Is this even worth it for a brand new 2023? I do live in South Dakota where we of course can have bad winters and salt use on the roads

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[MJG44]

Yes, absolutely rust proof your vehicle. Not sure about LineX and what they use, but avoid those tar coatings. They can trap moisture.

Go with a yearly application of a drip application. I use Corrosion Free but there's so many; Krown, Fluid Film etc.

 

[fordtruckman2003]

Do something.
Your pumpkin and axle is probably already rusted. There is a thread on cleaning that up.

I used fluid film black under my truck this spring and with lots of driving in rain it's held up really well in my testing. I think I'll go full on and give the whole truck a spray with it.

 

[Kodiak]

The body is aluminum so it is your call for the rustproofing. Undercoating is a different story.

Depending on the lineX shop the undercoating could/should cost about $600. If this shop uses a specific undercoating named VG (Valugard) 160 then it is the best there is for longevity. It is critical that it is VG 160 (Military Grade) undercoating. This product is the closest to a product known as Cosmoline as there is. Cosmoline is the best going but nobody sprays this anymore. If you wanted to do it yourself, get Cosmoline. If they do not use VG 160 call some other LineX shops. They can use different materials.

Also, if you ask the shop and they say they do use VG 160 ask them about getting inside the frame. They should say they use a 360 degree sprayer with a long hose for inside. IMO if you are not doing the inside of the box frame, you are doing a half job at best. The inside of the frame is critical.

Fluid film and Woolwax are wonderful treatments if you do not mind a yearly application. Cosmoline is an oil-wax compound that hardens but still is somewhat softer so you could scrap at it to get most off. However it will still leave a film. Ask any old timers who were military if they ever had to clean metal parts treated with cosmoline and they will tell you that you are bringing back nightmares for that person. It is that difficult to remove.

 

[cbenz2486]

The body is aluminum so it is your call for the rustproofing. Undercoating is a different story.

Depending on the lineX shop the undercoating could/should cost about $600. If this shop uses a specific undercoating named VG (Valugard) 160 then it is the best there is for longevity. It is critical that it is VG 160 (Military Grade) undercoating. This product is the closest to a product known as Cosmoline as there is. Cosmoline is the best going but nobody sprays this anymore. If you wanted to do it yourself, get Cosmoline. If they do not use VG 160 call some other LineX shops. They can use different materials.

Also, if you ask the shop and they say they do use VG 160 ask them about getting inside the frame. They should say they use a 360 degree sprayer with a long hose for inside. IMO if you are not doing the inside of the box frame, you are doing a half job at best. The inside of the frame is critical.

Fluid film and Woolwax are wonderful treatments if you do not mind a yearly application. Cosmoline is an oil-wax compound that hardens but still is somewhat softer so you could scrap at it to get most off. However it will still leave a film. Ask any old timers who were military if they ever had to clean metal parts treated with cosmoline and they will tell you that you are bringing back nightmares for that person. It is that difficult to remove.

Good call. My shop does use the VG 160. Appreciate your insight and advice with all that

 

[Kodiak]

Good call. My shop does use the VG 160. Appreciate your insight and advice with all that

Thats great. The best LineX shops use this product. Good luck and IMO, this is money well spent.

 

[PB2021]

I spray the frame rails and cross members with Krown. I don’t know if there is a ton of benefit to the aluminum components. It would be interesting to hear some feedback from those who have had the 2015 or 2016 once the change over occurred to see if there are any issues underbody with the aluminum panels in any way.

 

[Mtnman1]

Thats great. The best LineX shops use this product. Good luck and IMO, this is money well spent.

Yeah, weird the different Linex dealers use different products.

Of course i had to go to the furthest dealer around me. The only one that uses the value guard.

 

[kb2755]

I asked my local line-x about the valuguard the other day. No response yet. I got oil spray last year and what a mess that made. Dripped for days and left some nasty stains on the driveway. Would rather a high durability application instead.

 

[Cb Mw]

I asked my local line-x about the valuguard the other day. No response yet. I got oil spray last year and what a mess that made. Dripped for days and left some nasty stains on the driveway. Would rather a high durability application instead.

I never got a response from any linex in my area regarding questions on valugard. Extensive research lead m to the conclusion that there is no easy 1 and done solution.

Annual diy treatments of lanolin products is what I went with. Looking for ideas on a good sprayer for the air compressor to use moving forward. I heard there was a harbor freight paint sprayer that works well hoping for more opinions/ experiences.

 

[astrand1]

I bought my truck and it went straight to linex and had the bed done along with rust proof and undercoating. Figure better safe than sorry.

 

[mwf5888]

I have had my last three trucks done by Line-X and my wife's Escape. Looks as good today as when done. Saw my prior 2015 F150 at the dealer for service and it also looks the same as when I had it done.

Here is a month after being done during the first oil change (we drove to Key West, FL, and back for vacation).

Here it is last weekend in the driveway.

 

[Kodiak]

I asked my local line-x about the valuguard the other day. No response yet. I got oil spray last year and what a mess that made. Dripped for days and left some nasty stains on the driveway. Would rather a high durability application instead.

Don't forget. Valugaurd makes a number of different undercoatings and LineX shops will use different ones. VG 160 is the key IMO. Don't just ask about using Valugaurd ask specifically about VG 160. That is the one that is similar to Cosmoline.

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