Notices
1997 - 2003 F150 1997-2003 F150, 1997-1999 F250LD, 7700 & 2004 F150 Heritage
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by: Auxito

Keeping Rust at Bay

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Aug 3, 2012 | 04:56 PM
  #1  
MiracleMax's Avatar
MiracleMax
Thread Starter
|
Freshman User
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 27
Likes: 0
Keeping Rust at Bay

I just bought a 2002 f150 w/5.4 from Arizona. Bringing it back here to OH. Right now it is completely rust free. I'd like to keep it that way as long as possible. I want to paint it underneath with some kind of rust preventer. what would be the best choice? Anything else I should do or check before winter hits?
 
Reply
Old Aug 4, 2012 | 06:26 AM
  #2  
00GT's Avatar
00GT
More Turbo
15 Year Member
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 560
Likes: 7
From: MICHIGAN
I did just that a few years ago. I bought a 03 screw from clearwater FL and brought it back to MI. First thing I did is take it to my local body shop and had the rockers under coated from the inside out. (If you don't they will rust right off) second I bought por-15 and coated the very bottom of each door. I also por-15 here and there underneath the truck. I looked for a clean truck here but its near impossible MI and OH will eat your truck alive...
 
Reply
Old Aug 6, 2012 | 05:22 PM
  #3  
fordcrzymike's Avatar
fordcrzymike
Elder User
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 990
Likes: 4
From: Tamaroa, IL
On these truck the drain holes at the bottom of the doors are prone to hold water (and salt if you live in a area with snow). I would be sure to treat that area of the truck. I bought my 97 used and the bottom of the doors are rusting apart.
 
Reply
Old Aug 6, 2012 | 10:16 PM
  #4  
dvlsmstr's Avatar
dvlsmstr
Mountain Pass
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 117
Likes: 0
From: NC
Get something you don't mind rusting away. It's gonna happen no matter what you do. Or you can do what I did.....move to TEXAS and never have to worry about it.
 
Reply
Old Aug 8, 2012 | 04:56 AM
  #5  
BFTUFF's Avatar
BFTUFF
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 462
Likes: 1
From: MN
Living in northern MN, the roads are white with salt and the best thing I've used over the years is "Rustcheck" spray. It is an aerospace oil com-posit designed for use in aircraft. Used for years in Canada where it originated. I bought a used truck down in Texas for the exact reasons stated above. Salt will though find it's way under any coating out there in my experience. The only thing you can do with metal is slow it's corrosion process and Rustcheck does that very well. It must be applied at a dealer near you or you can also purchase spray cans and DIY. The metal must be soaked with the special oil once a year. I've now had my truck over 7 years after bringing it up from Texas. There is no body rust due to the application of this product. There is light frame rust that does not affect the integrity of the steel. Applied correctly, this stuff will help your truck last a long time. Where-as coatings can chip and rust will travel unnoticed underneath the coating. You won't know it's rusted until it's too late. Beside this way you can keep an eye on the rust or lack of. I highly recommend it. http://www.rustcheck.com/

"Krown" also makes a fluid corrosion resistant product that is applied and not coated.

The ultimate truck IMO would be made entirely of 409 stainless steel, though the cost would be prohibitive.
 
Reply
Old Aug 10, 2012 | 09:33 AM
  #6  
MiracleMax's Avatar
MiracleMax
Thread Starter
|
Freshman User
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 27
Likes: 0
I was thinking about applying bedliner, or maybe a chip-gaurd type product underneath. I've also looked at Rust Bullet, but I'm not sure if it is just a rust killer, or if it's also a protectant /deterrent. Does any of this sound right? I like the Rustcheck, but I'm looking for something I won't have to completely re-apply every year. Maybe just a touch-up.
 
Reply
Old Aug 10, 2012 | 02:17 PM
  #7  
BFTUFF's Avatar
BFTUFF
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 462
Likes: 1
From: MN
Originally Posted by MiracleMax
I was thinking about applying bedliner, or maybe a chip-gaurd type product underneath. I've also looked at Rust Bullet, but I'm not sure if it is just a rust killer, or if it's also a protectant /deterrent. Does any of this sound right? I like the Rustcheck, but I'm looking for something I won't have to completely re-apply every year. Maybe just a touch-up.
Once rust has taken hold, there is nothing in my experience that will stop it. All the steps it would take to sand/grind down every part of the frame would be an enormous undertaking and you would technically have to pull the body and box off the truck to really get all of it. It's just not worth it. The "Rustcheck" product is applied at the "Rustcheck" dealer. It covers the entire body, inside: doors, A-pillars, the hood, fenders, etc. The body and frame get treated. All the other coatings your thinking about will only mask the traveling rust underneath. Again, I would love to own a ford truck made completely of 409 Stainless Steel.
 
Reply
Old Aug 10, 2012 | 03:50 PM
  #8  
00GT's Avatar
00GT
More Turbo
15 Year Member
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 560
Likes: 7
From: MICHIGAN
Originally Posted by BFTUFF
Once rust has taken hold, there is nothing in my experience that will stop it. All the steps it would take to sand/grind down every part of the frame would be an enormous undertaking and you would technically have to pull the body and box off the truck to really get all of it. It's just not worth it. The "Rustcheck" product is applied at the "Rustcheck" dealer. It covers the entire body, inside: doors, A-pillars, the hood, fenders, etc. The body and frame get treated. All the other coatings your thinking about will only mask the traveling rust underneath. Again, I would love to own a ford truck made completely of 409 Stainless Steel.
I looked up the rustcheck stuff. It sounds awsome. I see you can buy it in a can.

Also I wash the hell out my truck through out the winter. After every snow I spray up in the wheel wells, underneath the rockers everywhere. I can't stand when I have them big ice chunks hanging behind the wheels. Rust will eventually happen but you can slow it for sure.

I've seen 05 F150s with bubbles going on in the cab corners. I would be ticked.
 
Reply
FTE Stories

Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts

story-0

This Hennessey Takes the Expedition Tremor's Off-Roading Capability to the Next Level

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals

 Joe Kucinski
story-2

3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership

 Brett Foote
story-3

10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained

 Brett Foote
story-5

10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-6

10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-7

Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

 Brett Foote
Old Aug 10, 2012 | 03:57 PM
  #9  
fordcrzymike's Avatar
fordcrzymike
Elder User
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 990
Likes: 4
From: Tamaroa, IL
Originally Posted by 00GT
I looked up the rustcheck stuff. It sounds awsome. I see you can buy it in a can.

Also I wash the hell out my truck through out the winter. After every snow I spray up in the wheel wells, underneath the rockers everywhere. I can't stand when I have them big ice chunks hanging behind the wheels. Rust will eventually happen but you can slow it for sure.

I've seen 05 F150s with bubbles going on in the cab corners. I would be ticked.
You got it right, pretty much all you can do is try to slow it down. Might as well do your best to prevent it though!
 
Reply
Old Aug 11, 2012 | 07:39 AM
  #10  
BFTUFF's Avatar
BFTUFF
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 462
Likes: 1
From: MN
Once the ("RC") spray is applied the snow and ice chunks will fall right off. The rust check keeps it from ad-hearing.
 
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Quadsport
1997 - 2003 F150
6
Nov 15, 2012 11:25 AM
od-SnG
1999 - 2016 Super Duty
32
Aug 2, 2012 01:20 PM
sdeforest
1997 - 2003 F150
26
Sep 19, 2007 09:18 PM
mdjohnson
1997 - 2003 F150
10
Mar 27, 2006 10:54 PM
matt_97xl
1997 - 2003 F150
9
Feb 17, 2004 02:34 PM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 11:06 PM.

story-0
This Hennessey Takes the Expedition Tremor's Off-Roading Capability to the Next Level

Slideshow: The VelociRaptor Expedition gains a lift, upgraded suspension, Brembo brakes, and trail-ready equipment while retaining the stock 440-horsepower EcoBoost V6.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-12 11:01:55


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals

Slideshow: Top 10 Fords at 2026 Ford Nationals

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-09 11:10:08


VIEW MORE
story-2
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership

Based on years of owning multiple modern Ford products.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-09 10:53:36


VIEW MORE
story-3
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches

SPONSORED: From muddy boots to rain-soaked cargo, these upgrades address some of the most common frustrations Ford truck owners face every day.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-06-08 18:50:34


VIEW MORE
story-4
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained

Here's everything you need to know about every Ford engine available for the 2026 model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-05 12:58:01


VIEW MORE
story-5
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Ford trucks that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 09:51:16


VIEW MORE
story-6
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: the best gifts for dads & grads

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:58


VIEW MORE
story-7
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

Slideshow: Called the Fortress, the 850-horsepower pickup combines Raptor underpinnings with military-inspired features, survival equipment, and a starting price of $285,000.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-03 11:38:36


VIEW MORE
story-8
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

Slideshow: 10 most expensive Ford trucks ever sold on Bring a Trailer.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:24:34


VIEW MORE
story-9
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

Here's everything that has changed for the latest model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-27 16:17:28


VIEW MORE