Road salt -- best way to prevent rust?

[JBEN110]

So I have been reading that undercoating will actually cause salt and water to be trapped between the steel and the undercoat, does anyone actually know the best way to prevent rust since I live in a province where they use a shit ton?

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[fossil]

the very least you can do is find a touchless car wash with an underbody spray

 

[JBEN110]

Yes I figured if I do that every couple weeks I should be fine right?

 

[RedRider]

So I have been reading that undercoating will actually cause salt and water to be trapped between the steel and the undercoat, does anyone actually know the best way to prevent rust since I live in a province where they use a shit ton?

That's true for hard undercoating after about 8 years, but not normally for more fluid products that would have to be touched up or re-applied every year. Anything from transmission oil spray to things like very thin Krown creeping fluid should be fine. Just don't use a place that sprays used engine oil, as the built-up acids in it are almost as bad as the salt.

 

[fossil]

Yes I figured if I do that every couple weeks I should be fine right?

I'd rather say as needed than a time schedule. Salty roads can be slushy or dry so I hit the booth when it transitions from wet to dry.
Rinse and repeat

 

[Jeff D.]

So I have been reading that undercoating will actually cause salt and water to be trapped between the steel and the undercoat, does anyone actually know the best way to prevent rust since I live in a province where they use a shit ton?

JBEN110, I too live in such and area and am curious to what works best. I try spraying the undercarriage down whenever washing my vehicle, and limiting my driving on sloppy roads to the small extent I can, but have come to terms with the fact I'll have a rusty vehicle sooner than most.

I had a '76 Toyota Hi-Lux pick up years ago, and you could practically hear that thing rusting. It was bad. Was the last small pick up I've had. I hope my Maverick is nothing similiar.

 

[Exranger]

Watch mustie 1 utube videos. He makes a mix of bar chain oil and several other things so it sticks but does not trap moisture. Also for your doors and cavity areas use Wurth cavity wax with the wand kit. It meets oem corrosion requirements for body shop repair.

 

[JBEN110]

That's true for hard undercoating after about 8 years, but not normally for more fluid products that would have to be touched up or re-applied every year. Anything from transmission oil spray to things like very thin Krown creeping fluid should be fine. Just don't use a place that sprays used engine oil, as the built-up acids in it are almost as bad as the salt.

Thanks! That is very helpful

 

[GPSMan]

JBEN110, I too live in such and area and am curious to what works best. I try spraying the undercarriage down whenever washing my vehicle, and limiting my driving on sloppy roads to the small extent I can, but have come to terms with the fact I'll have a rusty vehicle sooner than most.

I had a '76 Toyota Hi-Lux pick up years ago, and you could practically hear that thing rusting. It was bad. Was the last small pick up I've had. I hope my Maverick is nothing similiar.

Well at least the Mav has more parts made of plastic and roofing paper felt.

 

[Jeff D.]

Well at least the Mav has more parts made of plastic and roofing paper felt.

True, but my concern is the % of nooks and crannys per square foot has only increased over the years, so........?

 

[Skisail]

Krown rustproofing is very popular in Canada and very well regarded. It is not an asphalt type coating but rather an oil type spray that is reapplied annually.

 

[Guv]

So I have been reading that undercoating will actually cause salt and water to be trapped between the steel and the undercoat, does anyone actually know the best way to prevent rust since I live in a province where they use a shit ton?

I feel for you mate, no such road preparations here in south Texas.
One question, is a shit ton more than an ass load?

 

[Optimus]

Just Fluid Filmed our Mav last week. Where I live, they use some of the nastiest salt brine around, and the Mav has TONS of nooks and crannies. I’ve been using FF for years now (on other vehicles), and it works great. It does need touch-ups annually in high wear areas like wheel wells, but touchups are much easier than the first coating. I am a big believer in these liquid-soft coatings that never dry. They creep into seams, self-heal, and don’t promote rust like a rubberized undercoating (e.g. Ziebart). Been there done that enough! While you can do it yourself, be aware of all the underbody panels that are best to be removed temporarily for better access, as well as all the nooks and crannies. I probably used 1 full gallon on this small truck, and I would normally only use 1/2 - 3/4 gallon for a “first coat” on a larger truck.

There are shops that do these types of coatings, and a typical cost is around $300-$400. Well worth it if you are not DYI.

 

[Montauk]

Fluidfilm. One application everywhere then spot check every couple years. You can buy spray cans and an extension hose with a fan spray tip. Make sure you shake the can really well and it’s room temperature before spraying. The Mav has a ton of nooks and crannies and despite the body being eCoated at the factory it will rust if you live in the salt belt or ride on the beach.

Sorry- Just saw what Optimus wrote above…. What he said!

 

[Guv]

Didn’t some vehicles come with that from the factory? I had an early 2000 F-150 that had this black greasy stuff all over the undercarriage. Nasty stuff if you got it on yourself.

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