Rust Protection
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Junior User
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 52
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Rust Protection
I'm looking at stepping up to a 2018 from a 2003 superduty.
With the new AL bodies, is there a need for rustproofing on these trucks? I know my frame (as well as the bed / door bottoms) on the 03 shows quite a bit of rust.
Are any of you in the salt belt getting some sort of undercoating or rust proofing?
With the new AL bodies, is there a need for rustproofing on these trucks? I know my frame (as well as the bed / door bottoms) on the 03 shows quite a bit of rust.
Are any of you in the salt belt getting some sort of undercoating or rust proofing?
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 113
Likes: 0
From: Central Illinois
The aluminum can still corrode---just not as likely as steel. I'm spraying the aluminum underbody with Fluid Film and the steel parts with a wax based product called "undercoating in a can" (like Ziebart).
I think if you spray Fluid Film on the AL parts each year before winter starts you should be covered. Some people use Fluid Film on both AL and steel.
I think if you spray Fluid Film on the AL parts each year before winter starts you should be covered. Some people use Fluid Film on both AL and steel.
Elder User
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 872
Likes: 4
From: Greene, NY
Lots of folks are. If you search for "Krown" you'll find a number of threads. Bunch of simliar products. When I get off my a** I'm going to get a local company to spray mine... they are ProFleetCare.. do all the highway departments and school buses in this area.
Elder User
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 523
Likes: 0
From: Eagan, MN
I did the full Ziebart treatment. Diamond gloss, undercoating, rust-proofing and seat leather protectant. $899. I know on my 2003 SuperDuty, it helped, so I assume on my 2017 it will too. Each year Ziebart does a touch up and costs about $140. It looks like new again.
From what I have heard, once aluminum oxidizes, it stops. The oxidization acts as a protectant once it forms.
I figured that the rust-proofing could not hurt. The undercoating makes things quieter, supposedly.
From what I have heard, once aluminum oxidizes, it stops. The oxidization acts as a protectant once it forms.
Aluminium corrosion resistance is very good in untreated aluminium. Untreated aluminium has very good corrosion resistance in most environments. This is primarily because aluminium spontaneously forms a thin but effective oxide layer that prevents further oxidation.
Aluminium Corrosion Resistance - Aluminium Design
Aluminium Corrosion Resistance - Aluminium Design
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 1,377
Likes: 294
From: SE Michigan
I have an unlimited car wash pass @ a local place. I subscribe to the package that includes, among other things, the undercarriage wash. They fellas who work it also spend several minutes spraying under the wheel wells, bumpers, tailgate, etc., with the wands. During the winter months, you'll see me go through there sometimes 2-3 times a week - and that's also why this truck is white ... 
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 113
Likes: 0
From: Central Illinois
IMO, products that are petroleum or asphalt based should never be used because they dry out and then crack---then salt gets thru/under the crack and starts working under the surface where you cannot see the damage happening. By the time you realize a problem it's too late.
That's why I like wax based products (there are several) and lanolin (lambs wool) based products (Fluid Film).
That's why I like wax based products (there are several) and lanolin (lambs wool) based products (Fluid Film).
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Hotshot
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 10,133
Likes: 665
From: NH
When I had all-steel Super Duty trucks, I had the entire underside sprayed with Fluid Film professionally. The guy did a good job; removed plugs and sprayed inside the sills, doors, etc. Did the radiator supports, engine oil pan, etc.
With the aluminum body truck, I'm only spraying the frame, brake lines, axles, and suspension. Aluminum corrodes when it touches a dissimilar metal due to galvanic reaction. We don't have that problem on these trucks. I've had an aluminum Audi A8 and a variety of aluminum-skin Land / Range Rovers. They don't rust due to salt. It's a big advantage up here in the salty land of NH.
I ended up buying the spray gun and wands from Fluid Film. You can buy the actual product at parts stores in gallon jugs and aerosol cans. Hook the spray gun to a compressor and do the job yourself, exactly the way you want, for about 1/3 the cost.
With the aluminum body truck, I'm only spraying the frame, brake lines, axles, and suspension. Aluminum corrodes when it touches a dissimilar metal due to galvanic reaction. We don't have that problem on these trucks. I've had an aluminum Audi A8 and a variety of aluminum-skin Land / Range Rovers. They don't rust due to salt. It's a big advantage up here in the salty land of NH.
I ended up buying the spray gun and wands from Fluid Film. You can buy the actual product at parts stores in gallon jugs and aerosol cans. Hook the spray gun to a compressor and do the job yourself, exactly the way you want, for about 1/3 the cost.
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,774
Likes: 136
From: Maryland
I've been considering purchasing the Fluid Film kit to do it myself on my 2017 and my son's 91 Wrangler. If there is enough left from the gallon, I'll do my 89 Wrangler, but it rarely goes out in the winter.
Elder User
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 634
Likes: 2
I'm looking at stepping up to a 2018 from a 2003 superduty.
With the new AL bodies, is there a need for rustproofing on these trucks? I know my frame (as well as the bed / door bottoms) on the 03 shows quite a bit of rust.
Are any of you in the salt belt getting some sort of undercoating or rust proofing?
With the new AL bodies, is there a need for rustproofing on these trucks? I know my frame (as well as the bed / door bottoms) on the 03 shows quite a bit of rust.
Are any of you in the salt belt getting some sort of undercoating or rust proofing?
No need to unless you want the sound deadening, other than that there is zero other reason to do it. Fluid film creates a slimy mess that your mechanic won't like. The 2017 SD frame and suspension components are powder coated so basically it's the first truck in the HISTORY of Ford that won't rust out in 6-8 years! I feel bad for those who bought the 2016 SD instead of the 2017 to save a few bucks. The value of their 2016 will be waaaaay under a 2017 after rust comes through.
Hotshot
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 10,133
Likes: 665
From: NH
Fluid Film is better than oil - it remains in a semi-fluid form; it won't dry out or crack. It does not drip like oil. It won't swell rubber seals or create issues with electrical connectors. It doesn't have a horrible smell.
It does create a bit of a slimy coating as BII Plow suggests, but given how this coating will protect exposed bolt threads, etc from rusting...your mechanic might actually thank you down the road.
My complaint with FF is that it really needs to be repeated yearly. By then, the "high traffic" areas so to speak will have the coating worn off.
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