Undercoating?

[steved]

OK, I know most of you that live in the rust belt would like some rust prevention...



I have annually undercoated my truck with a mixture of used Gear Oil (or Synchromesh), ATF (or hydraulic oil), and new motor oil. Spray it on once a year. Its messy, drips for weeks, and it need reapplied yearly... but the truck doesn't rust and the coating is sort of self-healing.



I don't like regular spray undercoating, it eventually dries and peels... it allows rust to start underneath. Paint usually doesn't adhere once you have road grime on the parts.



I found some "Open Gear Lube" sold by Napa. It claims to be a rust preventative. It is an aerosol, little messy, but sets up to a fairly stiff film... I believe it is a high paraffin lube (the reason it is "waxy"). It is very water resistant from what I have seen so far... I have sprayed most of the frame and underneath of the truck with this stuff (took eight cans @ $7/can). It does not wash out of clothes, already found this out... and even the better shop hand cleaners struggle to get it off you.



I'll probably still spray the truck with oil, like the doors, tailgates, and the front fenders where I couldn't get to, but this stuff looks promising.



Just a little FYI for those looking for some rust protection. It will make working under the truck messy, but its better than not having a truck to work on.



steved

 

[05mxdiesel]

I recently did the same thing and used Amsoil HD metal protector and it works the same as you described. The stuff is awesome especially with all the rain we've been having. Sprays on like a motorcycle chain lube and dries to a wax and resists water and mud from sticking. Did the whole underneath of my truck too and again messy and hard to get off my garage floor. I'll be doing this before every winter. I have yet to try it on the bottom of the doors where the weatherstripping traps all the dirt.



You should try the amsoil stuff, I barely used one can for the whole underneath of the truck @ $6 a can.

 

[steved]

Something else I tried was "Liquid Film" that is sold by Gemplers...



It works good on anything that doesn't see water or washing... like stored tools. But just the spray from the tires washed it off the bottom of the truck.



steved

 

[DBentley]

I did a marvel mistery oil 10% and cheap veg oil 90% in a spray bottle and it goes on wet but dries to a stickey film that is hard to get off. Did the whole underside and in the doors till it ran out front and rear drain holes. Got some on the rear bumper 3 months ago and i cant get it off its so gummy. Hope it keeps my babby rust free for a few more years ?

 

[CSnyder]

I just eliminate the annual oil fix and powdercoat them all.

 

[steved]

I just eliminate the annual oil fix and powdercoat them all.

Even powder coating will eventually rust... it "cracks" where ever the frame flexes, usually near frame hangers and cross members.



In the northern climates, you need a self healing coating, something that doesn't harden.



steved