Living in CT I am dealing with the same rusty bed most New Englanders do. I have found an older new take off bed from an '05. Does anyone know if the foam can be removed with the bed side on? Is there a possibility to dissolve the foam chemically without paint damage?

 

Which foam do you speak of? Do you have a pic?

 

Its the foam Ford put inbetween the inner box metal and the outer boxside, it traps moisture and salt inbetween the two metals and rusts it from the inside out. I have seen a thread or two on hear about removing the foam but it is usually when the outer bedside is so gone that you can cut the foam out from the big rust holes. I dont know about dissolving it but it is an interesting Idea...

 

if the truck bed is rust free just coat the foam with fluid film and you shouldn't have any issues. I did that to my new truck after reading on here from numerous members that had good luck doing this. The fluid film(or oil) will soak through the foam and protect the metal around it.

 

Foam huh... I dont recall seeing any foam.

 

If you take the bed side off there is acoustic foam around the wheel arch between the inner and outer panels. It acts like a sponge and promotes rust.

 

ive looked into my dads 2000 F350 and my 2004 F350 and neither have foam. I even put my snake camera into the wheel well and my truck has nothing but metal on metal......

 

Yes you do/did from the factory. Its about inch and a half tall and half inch wide. Just above the wheel well lip between the inner and outer panels. Would be difficult to see.

Mine is gone now after it rotted through.

 

I have a newer bed in my yard that I am going to be installing. I cannot see how to get all of the foam soaked. Should I just keep applying the fluid film and hope it soaks in?

 

I'm assuming you would have to remove the inner fender which can just bed glued back on, i had my bed rust through twice and the second time i had the quarters replaced and the foam ripped out. While the inner fender is off you might as well coat it all in POR15 and you will never had a rust issue.

 

This will be one of my upcoming projects. I plan in cutting it all out and welding in some replacement stampings. Either that or just going the easy route and cutting it out and getting some flares. Still undecided because if I get flares I'll have to get 35's and a lift

 

Fluid film sells a hose that might do the trick. I do not have rust showing on the outside yet. But, I have some rust pushing the metal apart in some small areas on the underside of the inner fender. Here is a link to the hose and video.

Fluid Film Spray Wand