Preparing for winter...
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 163
Likes: 1
From: Brighton, MI
Here's a thread I started on this same topic a few years ago: https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...st-at-bay.html
Long story short, I'm a big believer in Fluid Film. My truck gets a coat every fall, in fact it's going to get one this weekend.
As for the "beater with a heater" thing, I did that once when I had a new Mustang. Never again. I'm not making payments on a nice vehicle (especially a 4WD truck!) just to drive some old POS for a third of the year. I'll do what I can to protect it, but I'm going to drive it. That's why I have it.
Long story short, I'm a big believer in Fluid Film. My truck gets a coat every fall, in fact it's going to get one this weekend.
As for the "beater with a heater" thing, I did that once when I had a new Mustang. Never again. I'm not making payments on a nice vehicle (especially a 4WD truck!) just to drive some old POS for a third of the year. I'll do what I can to protect it, but I'm going to drive it. That's why I have it.
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 140
Likes: 0
From: Boston
Here's a thread I started on this same topic a few years ago: https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...st-at-bay.html
Long story short, I'm a big believer in Fluid Film. My truck gets a coat every fall, in fact it's going to get one this weekend.
As for the "beater with a heater" thing, I did that once when I had a new Mustang. Never again. I'm not making payments on a nice vehicle (especially a 4WD truck!) just to drive some old POS for a third of the year. I'll do what I can to protect it, but I'm going to drive it. That's why I have it.
Long story short, I'm a big believer in Fluid Film. My truck gets a coat every fall, in fact it's going to get one this weekend.
As for the "beater with a heater" thing, I did that once when I had a new Mustang. Never again. I'm not making payments on a nice vehicle (especially a 4WD truck!) just to drive some old POS for a third of the year. I'll do what I can to protect it, but I'm going to drive it. That's why I have it.
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 163
Likes: 1
From: Brighton, MI
Pretty good so far. I think I might touch it up this time around, but it seems to be holding up a lot better than the factory coating did. The worst area under the truck now after four winters is the front control arms and knuckles, they are looking quite rusty.
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 140
Likes: 0
From: Boston
Did you ever paint your rear axle and differential? The rear axle in entirety is surface rust.
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 163
Likes: 1
From: Brighton, MI
No, I'm too lazy. That's a big area, and lots of stuff in the way to work around. Plus POR-15 is expensive stuff! So I spray it with FF and hope for the best. I'm honestly not that worried, there's a ton of metal there, and if it was that critical that it stay corrosion-free, Ford would have coated it with something from the factory.
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 140
Likes: 0
From: Boston
No, I'm too lazy. That's a big area, and lots of stuff in the way to work around. Plus POR-15 is expensive stuff! So I spray it with FF and hope for the best. I'm honestly not that worried, there's a ton of metal there, and if it was that critical that it stay corrosion-free, Ford would have coated it with something from the factory.
Last edited by Liam_Harrow; Oct 9, 2015 at 08:00 PM. Reason: Add word
Resident smarta$$
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 4,929
Likes: 9
From: Oaks,PA
Maybe you misunderstand. I use it same way as you. Exact way. I just don't hi pressure spray it off all winter long as I believe it could start removing the product with repeat spraying. I might use a garden hose to wash the truck and hit some spots seen standing but in general I leave it be and the salt would be on the outside with fluid film between it and the body.
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership
Brett Foote
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches
Pouria Savadkouei
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained
Brett Foote
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer
Joe Kucinski
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies
Joe Kucinski
Cargo Master
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 3,358
Likes: 250
Fluid Film is around $40/gallon from the Rust Store. The Undercoating gun is $30. A gallon of Fluid film is enough to do a fullsize truck about three times(at least for me). I also buy the aerosol fluid Film for inside the doors and rockers because it's thinner and runs down into the seams better. Cans are around $10/each, plus for another $14 you can get an extension hose with a 360* nozzle to really do a good job inside the enclosed areas.
About spraying FF inside the doors and rockers. I do it on my super duty because the bottom of the doors has a pinch seem and it is prone to rusting. There are drains just above the pinch seem and at each corner. I have not noticed these to get plugged. The F150's has a somewhat open channel along the bottom of the door and I will spray a light coating of FF in that then blow the excess out with air. also anytime I drive in wet conditions or wash the truck I will blow the water out of the seam. This method worked on my '05 F150 to keep the doors rust free for 10yrs and going.
I spray the inside of the rockers and keep an eye on them. After three years on one truck and two on the other there is no noticeable dust accumulation inside the rockers that will plug the drains.
About spraying FF inside the doors and rockers. I do it on my super duty because the bottom of the doors has a pinch seem and it is prone to rusting. There are drains just above the pinch seem and at each corner. I have not noticed these to get plugged. The F150's has a somewhat open channel along the bottom of the door and I will spray a light coating of FF in that then blow the excess out with air. also anytime I drive in wet conditions or wash the truck I will blow the water out of the seam. This method worked on my '05 F150 to keep the doors rust free for 10yrs and going.
I spray the inside of the rockers and keep an eye on them. After three years on one truck and two on the other there is no noticeable dust accumulation inside the rockers that will plug the drains.
Cargo Master
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 2,710
Likes: 77
From: Central Florida
I try to avoid car washes. Things may have changed in the 30 years since I last worked at one. At the time we recycled water, used hash chemicals (some contained acid) & strong detergents to blast off dirt and grim. I just picture all the salt and crap getting rinsed off the car in front of me, then mixed with acid and blasted at high pressure on my car, no thanks.
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 140
Likes: 0
From: Boston
I try to avoid car washes. Things may have changed in the 30 years since I last worked at one. At the time we recycled water, used hash chemicals (some contained acid) & strong detergents to blast off dirt and grim. I just picture all the salt and crap getting rinsed off the car in front of me, then mixed with acid and blasted at high pressure on my car, no thanks.
Bleed Ford Blue
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 13,578
Likes: 157
From: Anchorage Alaska
I only use touchless carwashes.
I'm sure glad the only winter prep i have to do is throw my snow tires on, some weight in the back, tow strap and jumper cables......along with some arctic gear lol.
I'm sure glad the only winter prep i have to do is throw my snow tires on, some weight in the back, tow strap and jumper cables......along with some arctic gear lol.
Posting Guru
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 1,777
Likes: 4
From: Des Moines, IA
Anyone on here running snow tires? I am debating a setup for this truck as I plan to keep it for a while. Last year I had the 06 F-250 with 35x12.50x18 Goodyear Duratracs. It was ok in the snow, but not what I'd consider very much fun. Sadly because of the lift I couldn't run a smaller tire or it would have looked ridiculous. This time though I just plan on a leveling kit, so I'd imagine I can get away with a bit more tire and wheel wise.
Bleed Ford Blue
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 13,578
Likes: 157
From: Anchorage Alaska
I have Blizzaks on my F-150, Cooper M+S studded on my Excursion...love them both! Also ran Firestone winterforce on my Expedition previous to the current Blizzaks.