Major Undercarraige Rust - Treatment

[ImagesThatSing]

I just checked under our new 03, and there is major rust on driveline, transmission, parts that hold the ball joints on both front wheels and elsewhere.



I am wondering the best treatment for attending to this. Painting over? rust removal techniques, then painting? undercoating? I have never seen rust like this and it may be the magnesium chloride that is used for snow control. Any insight would be most appreciated. I have a power generator on the back of my rig so power is not a problem, and I am most anxious to hear your suggestions.



Thank you all in advance.

 

[esommer2500]

Check this out:



http://www.porshop.com/



This is good stuff, we are using it on my brother's '73 IH Scout. He has done the entire frame and front end with about half of a quart. It is pricey, but I have heard/seen nothing but good things about it.



Eric

 

[1tuffram]

I'm also interested in a product to remove the surface rust from my drive shafts. I don't want to paint my drive line, just want it to have that shiney new look. I have seen a few products which claim to remove rust and leave a protective film to inhibit further rust, but I think those products are designed for lighter duty jobs (guns, jewerly, silverware, household items,etc). Would Naval Jelly work on the drive shafts to remove rust?? I found some at Home Depot, but it cautioned to not use on certain types of metal.



If anyone knows of a product please chime in.

 

[Dane]

I use "Rust Encapsulator" from Eastwood in the spray can. Does not need to be top coated. Before coating clean the part(s) to be sprayed with a good degreaser.

 

[merryman]

The common thing here on the very wet Oregon coast is Phosphoric Acid, it converts rust from ferric oxide to iron sulfate which is an inert substance. It also creates a suitable paint primer. I then follow it up with a rust inhibiting or encapsulating paint. The most common brand name here is "ospho", its a near clear, water like liquid; I apply it with a plastic spray bottle. It is disagreable to breath so a mask is in order and its not real good to get on your skin as it will begin to burn pretty quickly.



Vaughn

 

[rbattelle]

That rust in the ball joint area, transmission case, and other driveline components occurs because those components are not painted from the factory.



For the front ball joints, I doused mine with some WD-40, but it was just a temporary fix. I am reluctant to paint them or coat them with anything more permanent, although I don't have a good reason why. I'm considering just re-spraying with WD-40 periodically in attempt to limit the rust formation, but I worry that it could seep through the u-joint and axle seals and foul their lubrication. I am reluctant to paint my driveshaft, but I may smear some grease on it at some point (like they did at the factory). I also WD-40'd the driveshaft flanges.



As for the transmission, the NV5600 case is cast iron. Iron will form a layer of surface rust, then stop (because the rust actually cuts off the oxygen to the underlying metal). Once it's formed, it's probably best to just leave it... it will never get any worse and if you grind it away it'll just rust again.

 

[illflem]

I use this stuff on farm equipment, works excellent and easy to apply http://www.gemplers.com/a/shop/product.asp?UID=2003041610063427&GEN2=&GEN3=&GEN9=0&T1=RCQ

They now say you should paint over it, didn't used to. I have equipment that has been treated with it and no paint that has sat out in the weather for over five years with no apparent change.

 

[ImagesThatSing]

Originally posted by rbattelle

That rust in the ball joint area, transmission case, and other driveline components occurs because those components are not painted from the factory.



It is not clear to my why they wouldn't be painted. I am sure there is a good reason that is beyond my basic understanding of the world in general (paint it or it will rust). So maybe someone could help me with why these parts are not painted or clearcoated, and maybe why I shouldn't be concerned about the rusting of parts on the truck.



That would be most helpful and I am sure someone knows just why these parts are left to rust.



Thank You

 

[Pit Bull]

Originally posted by 1tuffram

I'm also interested in a product to remove the surface rust from my drive shafts. I don't want to paint my drive line, just want it to have that shiney new look. I have seen a few products which claim to remove rust and leave a protective film to inhibit further rust, but I think those products are designed for lighter duty jobs (guns, jewerly, silverware, household items,etc). Would Naval Jelly work on the drive shafts to remove rust?? I found some at Home Depot, but it cautioned to not use on certain types of metal.



If anyone knows of a product please chime in.

I used the Naval Jelly on the Iron and steel parts ( I kept away from any seals, etc. ) and then painted with black enamel rustoleum. I did not paint my drive shaft and figure it will rust again. I did paint the NV5600 where I could reach it and it looks a lot better (at least to me when I lay under my truck). From now on I will just touch things up spring and fall with the black spray paint. I did this with my 2000 and it worked out well. Man are we anal or what :-laf

 

[sdalton]

Dont drive where they salt the roads?? Move to Arizona?? A little drivetrain rust wont hurt anything, for many years. Just rinse the undercarriage after driving on salted winter roads.

 

[Hohn]

Originally posted by esommer2500

Check this out:



http://www.porshop.com/



This is good stuff, we are using it on my brother's '73 IH Scout. He has done the entire frame and front end with about half of a quart. It is pricey, but I have heard/seen nothing but good things about it.



Eric

Another POR-15 testimonial here. This is awesome stuff. It's expensive and can be hard to work with, but there is none better. BTW-- It only needs to be topcoated if it's exposed to UV. Even then, UV will only discolor it (turns green), not break it down.



I have used this to stop rust on the floorpan of my '69 coronet. It worked so good I did the exterior finish too just to protect it (it's not a cosmetic coating). I have a bunch of cans on hand and am considering using them on the undercarriage of the truck.



POR-15 is great stuff.



By the way, the phosphoric acid is also sold by POR-15 as part of their metal-ready prep solution. It will take your breath away if you spray it on rust (it's not good for you).



Let me also say that the Marine-Clean degreaser that they sell is the best I have ever seen. It's water-based, too! I used this to clean a junk yard engine up-- didn't need to get it hot tanked.



I like POR-15-- can you tell????





HOHN

 

[Hohn]

By the way-- I would be wary of painting a driveshaft. It's possible (however remote) that the paint would cause the driveshaft to become unbalanced, and you would have a driveline vibration that you won't be able to trace.



Hohn

 

[1tuffram]

Originally posted by Hohn

By the way-- I would be wary of painting a driveshaft. It's possible (however remote) that the paint would cause the driveshaft to become unbalanced, and you would have a driveline vibration that you won't be able to trace.



Hohn

This is why I'm looking for a product which will remove rust and leave some sort of protective film. I've been wondering if once I got the rust off the drive shaft if a periodic application of wax would help prevent the surface rusting problem.

 

[Hohn]

The more I think about it, the more I think that the weight of the paint would be very insignificant compared to the weight of the shaft, and the way it is distributed would make it VERY unlikely to actually cause an unbalanced condition in your driveshaft.



HOHN