Rust prevention on a newer vehicle

[Greg]

Since buying the '12 Jeep (it's the newest vehicle I've ever owned) I've been thinking about preventing rust. I plan to keep this thing around a long time and want to make sure it lasts. My previous 4x4 was pretty solid, but there were a handful of spots where rust was setting in to the point that it was going to get ugly in the next handful of years. The rear wheel well had the worst spot, of course. With this newer Jeep I'd like to prevent the frame, undercarriage, suspension, etc from rusting early on. Seems like most rubberized undercoatings do more harm than good, eventually drying, then cracking and actually HOLDING moisture in and allowing for rust! :wtf:

I've been researching quite a bit and came across 2 products that seem to have a good following. They aren't a one-time fix though, sounds like the best thing is to re-apply once a year to be safe.

Fluid Film - http://www.fluid-film.com/

Amsoil HDMP (Heavy Duty Metal Protector) - http://www.amsoil.com/shop/by-produ...s-and-protectants/heavy-duty-metal-protector/


I found the Fluid Film at Lowes for $9/can, so I picked up 3 cans. I sprayed a little of it and it's an interesting product, kind of clear/cream colored, thicker than WD40 and thinner than more waxy products. It's a bit sticky, seems like it it would hold up to quit a bit of weather wear, offroading and playing in the dirt. It does make me wonder if dirt would stick to it, but most reviews said it doesn't.

I'm interested in picking up some Amsoil HDMP.... matter fact, I'll order a few cans now.

Once I finish up the suspension install on my Jeep, I'm going to spend a good deal of time at the pressure washer cleaning the undercarriage and get it as clean as I can, then apply some of both products.

Anyone else have experience with either of these? Or do you have something else you like to use to keep rust at bay?

 

[cruiseroutfit]

Interested in your findings. Utah's winters are rough on undercarriage's and I too would love to find a better solution than a wire brush and black paint every spring.

 

[Kiel]

ih8mud talks a bunch about east coast rigs doing the fluid film

 

[Greg]

I got both the Fluid Film and Amsoil HDMP in my hands and have applied a bit of both to the suspension, axles, frame, underbody, etc of my Jeep... then did some very basic testing. Word of warning, both of these products have a VERY strong chemical odor and need to be sprayed in a well ventilated area! Also, the overspray will fall on your floor and it's pretty tacky... it's wise to lay a sheet of plastic down first! From what I've seen the Amsoil HDMP leaves a Carmel-looking color behind and seems to go on a bit thicker, making me hope it will last longer...? The Fluid Film seems a bit thinner, but doesn't leave behind nearly as much color.

Since I've applied both products I've had the Jeep offroad a couple times and then pressure washed it very well underneath and it seems like both products are still hanging on. Surprisingly, neither seem to collect any dust. I sprayed both products on a sheet of paper as a little test, both sprayed from the same distance and amount of time.

And this was a day later, you can see how the oils in the Fluid Film spread and covered much more area... not sure if that tells us anything from a scientific standpoint.

At this point I think it's going to be real hard to tell how well these products keep rust away, especially if they do work! I do think that with a yearly re-application of either product you will be much better prepared to fight rust over time.

 

[Tonkaman]

Now that it's been on a while, does it feel tacky or oily?

 

[Greg]

Now that it's been on a while, does it feel tacky or oily?

Not at all, you can hardly tell that it's even on there which makes it hard to tell if it needs to be reapplied! Both products seem to dry pretty quickly and don't leave much sign they they're even on there. The only place that I can SEE it is on the white sheetmetal underneath where I sprayed the Amsoil HDMP, you can still see the Carmel colored coating.

When I sprayed both of them on, I coated much of the suspension parts and wiped down the stuff that got too much. The Amsoil HDMP seems to leave a thicker coat and the Fluid Film seems like a very clean coating that's damn near invisible.