Preventing Corrosion from Salt

[lewkarg]

TDR,

Any recommendations for removing salt to slow down corrosion on the underside of the truck? We had our first big snowstorm in northern Virginia, and there's a ton of salt on the road - almost enough to make ice cream without having to add any more salt. I'm already seeing rust on some untreated steel surfaces under the truck on my 2018. I'm guessing a light water rinse to the underside and tires/wheels with a hose will do the trick? Any spots I should avoid blasting with water?

Oh, and I finally got the winter cover installed. I had been procrastinating because the instructions showed I needed to drill out the plastic fasteners in a vice. I wound up just screwing in the snaps while they were still in the truck. I got them about half-way in, then pulled them out when they started spinning, and finished the job with a pair of pliers. Definitely noticed the engine heats up much faster, and oil/coolant temps were hovering in the 200-210 range on the highway (up from 160-190) with the winter grill in (outside temps were mid 20's).

Thank You,
Lewkarg

 

[Ozymandias]

Just hose it easy down, no need for pressure wash as the salt dissolve in water extremely fast.

Then use some Fluid Film products to protect your investment.

 

[DavidC]

There are some salt neutralizer products, I know eastwood.com has one and I have heard of others.

 

[RDHamill]

these guys make great products, check it out.

https://www.lloydslaboratories.com/...ory/automotive-fleet-maintenance/salt-shield/

 

[CMB]

Not sure what area your in but up North there is a product called Krown. It's applied once a year and after application your body is guaranteed to be rust free. Of course, it needs to be applied once a year but for 100 bucks, it's great insurance.

 

[firefighter_2000]

 

[jgillott]

I have used Ziebart on all of my new trucks for many years. While the frames still look new, body rust started on my old 04.5, my '07 and my 2010 Rams at the ~8-9 year mark. Still much better than no rust protection, but not as happy with the service as I would like to be.

If there was a Krown Dealer anywhere near here, I would give them a shot over the Ziebart.

 

[Ozymandias]

I'm not impressed from Ziebart, they do nit tell what that Product is made off and 10 years is no age.
Go with FluidFilm instead, you can stop the body rust with it.

 

[BarryG]

For getting the salt off without getting soaked use an oscillating type sprinkler set it under the truck in various places for 15 minutes or so at a time no worse than driving in the rain as far as the wiring/electrical is concerned and it will get up into places that hose and nozzle wont get into. .

 

[Signal73]

There is a product called salt away too. If you have the pockets for it the best thing to do is get a winter beater!

 

[RDHamill]

Not sure what area your in but up North there is a product called Krown. It's applied once a year and after application your body is guaranteed to be rust free. Of course, it needs to be applied once a year but for 100 bucks, it's great insurance.

I would agree that Krown is great stuff, well worth having it sprayed on. Here in the rust belt the difference between a protected and an unprotected truck is amazing.