My 02 Build thread
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From: ALPHA ,NJ
Hey Justin how's it going? So how did you like working with that fluid film and I know its only been a couple weeks but how's it holding up so far? And where'd you get your kit from and how much did it cost ya if you don't mind me asking?
I was wanting to get some to put on my truck for the winter, and my parents just got a new car and my Dad was wanting to put some sort of rust proofing on it. To keep it from rusting like their last car did.
And your truck looked real when you had it all cleaned up.
I was wanting to get some to put on my truck for the winter, and my parents just got a new car and my Dad was wanting to put some sort of rust proofing on it. To keep it from rusting like their last car did.
And your truck looked real when you had it all cleaned up.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Oct 2013
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From: MA
. So just a quick question for you, since you've been using it for a while. Have you had any trouble with it "melting" and dripping of in the summer? Because my Dad was talking to a guy who said he heard that was a common problem with fluid film and that he had heard nothing good about it? Not sure how reliable of a source that was but still I've never used it so I don't know how well it works. My Dad wasn't too sold on fluid film but I'm pretty sold on it. Planning to do my truck, and my moms new car and might as well do my Dad's truck too. 
Posting Guru
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From: Chardon, Ohio
It's holding up fine. I got my kit off ebay, it was the gun two canisters and 2 gallons for 99$. If you're doing 2 trucks and a car you're going to need more then 1 gallon. I used 1.5 on my truck. I haven't washed my truck off yet so I don't know how it will do, but I'd imagine as long as you just use low pressure it will do just fine. And thanks, she looks really good when I get her all cleaned up.
Ok thanks Justin, good to hear its holding up. I know I would need a lot to do 3 vehicles. I think if my Dad decides that he wants to go ahead and do the car and his truck, I'd probably get the kit with the 5 gallon bucket, if not more haha.
In the spring i pressure wash the whole truck and that knocks down most of the really thick layers of FF, leaving a very thin film. I don't have much to protect from in the summer (no salt etc) but the thin layer just prevents moisture infiltration and its thin enough to not cause in issues or drip. I've never heard of the "melting" thing, but I can see the concept of it, if it gets hot enough it may begin to thin out a bit, it's a natural base so that could happen, but I've never seen it. But like I said I don't run a crazy thick coating in the warmer months, just a thin layer.
Ok, that's good to hear too. Yeah I would probably wash it off real good after winter too, so I shouldn't have a problem. Yeah I wasn't too sure on the melting, I would have to agree that it makes sense that it could happen, but I would have to guess that most people don't have a problem with it. Like you said there's really no reason to have it on heavy in the summer.
So you guys got the kit with the gun. I was looking on amazon and noticed that they offer a "pro" gun too. Do you guys see any reason to upgrade to the pro gun or is the one that comes with the kit just fine?
Laughing Gas
Joined: Oct 2013
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From: MA
I didn't see a point to upgrade. I actually have two guns, the regular "modified" on from Kellsport on Amazon, and another generic gun with the 18" hose sprayer attachment installed on it that I borrow from a friend. I hardly use the 18" hose, I just use the regular one and it works great for me.
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From: Chardon, Ohio
I didn't see a point to upgrade. I actually have two guns, the regular "modified" on from Kellsport on Amazon, and another generic gun with the 18" hose sprayer attachment installed on it that I borrow from a friend. I hardly use the 18" hose, I just use the regular one and it works great for me.
Ok, that's what I figured. I think I'll just stick with the regular on then. Thanks guys.
I'll probably be ordering a kit soon. I'm probably just going to do my truck, but still might get the 5 gallon kit, not sure yet. Do you guys know if the fluid film lasts once its opened? Like if I get the 5 gallon kit, and have a bunch extra would it still be good for next year?
My Dad said he didn't want any on his truck, and thinks on the car he might go somewhere and have some rust proofing product called Formula 3000 put on. You guys ever heard anything about that? I've done a little reading on it and it doesn't seem too bad, but might not be quite as good as the fluid film.
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From: ALPHA ,NJ
My truck has had an incessant bouncing coming from the rear end at 45mph for a few months now. I believe it's the rear shocks so I went ahead and bought some new shocks. I decided against an offroad shock as I don't take this truck offroad more then a field or maybe a rough road. The bilsteins or the rancho 9000s are a bit of an over kill for my need so i took Jeremy's (Wizkid) advice and grabbed a pair or Monroes.
Amazon.com: Monroe 911196 Reflex Light Truck Shock Absorber: Automotive
I'm planning on getting some clear acrylic paint later today. I'm really hoping to keep these shocks looking like new for as long as i can.
Amazon.com: Monroe 911196 Reflex Light Truck Shock Absorber: Automotive
I'm planning on getting some clear acrylic paint later today. I'm really hoping to keep these shocks looking like new for as long as i can.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 4,654
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From: Tewksbury, MA
never heard of the clear acrylic paint! I need to do that mine arw atarting to look rusty.... they are only a year old too.
If the shocks dont work it might be your tires mine used to do that bur if i recall your tires are fairly new correct? Mine were really old and had a bad wear pattern in them.
If the shocks dont work it might be your tires mine used to do that bur if i recall your tires are fairly new correct? Mine were really old and had a bad wear pattern in them.
Cargo Master
Joined: Jan 2012
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From: Pittsburgh, PA
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From: ALPHA ,NJ
never heard of the clear acrylic paint! I need to do that mine arw atarting to look rusty.... they are only a year old too.
If the shocks dont work it might be your tires mine used to do that bur if i recall your tires are fairly new correct? Mine were really old and had a bad wear pattern in them.
If the shocks dont work it might be your tires mine used to do that bur if i recall your tires are fairly new correct? Mine were really old and had a bad wear pattern in them.
I also have brand new tires, less then 3000 on them with good balancing and good alignment. So I really hope its not the tires.
Yes. I decided to move over to the dark side and stop pretending my truck is something its not. It not a street queen, but definitely don't need offroad stuff. Hopefully it gives me the ride I'm looking for
Cargo Master
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 3,053
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From: Pittsburgh, PA
You can fluid film the shocks after painting them. I oiled mine.
It may be worth be mention to oil up your rear springs really well. If they are rusty, that will create additional friction between the leaves which means they won't slide properly and harshen the ride.
It may be worth be mention to oil up your rear springs really well. If they are rusty, that will create additional friction between the leaves which means they won't slide properly and harshen the ride.
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From: ALPHA ,NJ
I'll give it a shot. Any suggestions on what to use? I haven't been able to paint anything yet. Sunday was a perfect temp but it was raining all day and now its dropping into the 20s for the next week.
Cargo Master
Joined: Jan 2012
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From: Pittsburgh, PA
I used bar and chain oil sprayed with an undercoat gun. You want something that will leave behind a slippery residue. I think oil out of an aerosol can would probably be too light to be effective.
Maybe jack up the truck on one side, pull the rear wheel, use a chisel and hammer to get some gap between the leaves, and work in bar and chain or used motor oil into the gaps and let gravity work it through. Heat the oil to thin it out some. I like to soak the bottle in hot water in a bucket before hand.
EDIT: Hit the shackles and bolts too.
Maybe jack up the truck on one side, pull the rear wheel, use a chisel and hammer to get some gap between the leaves, and work in bar and chain or used motor oil into the gaps and let gravity work it through. Heat the oil to thin it out some. I like to soak the bottle in hot water in a bucket before hand.
EDIT: Hit the shackles and bolts too.
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From: ALPHA ,NJ
I haven't been able to paint because its been sub 30 degrees or down pouring since I got the shocks. But figured since they're 35$ each if they rust out I can just buy another one.
The ride quality is so much better. I can't say that it was better or worse then the bilsteins were when they were new. But my driver's side was blown out both ways and the passenger had no hold when pressed down, so they were allowing my axle to hop all over the place. Hopefully this will improve the hop I was experiencing in the snow.
All in all very happy. I will probably continue to buy these as they work very well when unloaded. When I load up for thr scrap yard we'll see how they go and maybe the rears will need to be upgraded down the road.
The ride quality is so much better. I can't say that it was better or worse then the bilsteins were when they were new. But my driver's side was blown out both ways and the passenger had no hold when pressed down, so they were allowing my axle to hop all over the place. Hopefully this will improve the hop I was experiencing in the snow.
All in all very happy. I will probably continue to buy these as they work very well when unloaded. When I load up for thr scrap yard we'll see how they go and maybe the rears will need to be upgraded down the road.
