Does anyone have any suggestions for preventing the frames in these trucks from rusting? I've seen some good looking truck bodies sitting on rusty frames and it really is unattractive. I have to think that most of this occurs to trucks that are always getting wet (duh) but was wondering if there's a product that could be applied to the factory coating on the frame that would prevent rust. I've seen products that are used in full restorations for painting frames but I doubt their intended for use on new frames.

 

Many body shops do rust proofing on the undersides of cars and trucks, especially in areas where it snows heavily. The salt and ice from the roads leads to corrosion of frames much faster than in places like California. I don't think there are any do-it-yourself things for this type of prevention. Many new vehicles come pre-treated from the manufacturer, so you may want to ask a reliable Ford source (not a dealer who will tell you anything you want to hear) if this is the case. XCR, any thoughts?

 

i forget what it is called but when i lived on a dirt road i sprayed
the underside with some type of under coating looked like the stuf
they use today to spray into the beds.

 

There are some special paints that are designed to protect against rusting. They are more expensive then regular paints. You would have to talk to someone in auto painting about it. I do not recall the name or brand of paint.

The easiest way is as has been mentioned which is to have it undercoated. I have always had my vehicles undercoated since living back east here in New Hampshire. We have lots of snow and ice during the winter and none of my frames have showed any rust.

There is a product you can buy at auto parts stores which I believe is called just that “Undercoating” but it is not as good as the product used by those who professional undercoat. I should say it’s not as durable as the professional products used in shops for undercoating.

Undercoating is basically like a tar substance. It looks nice but is a little sticky for a long time but doesn’t really get dirty. It is not like dirt and other things stick to it so the frame always looks nice and black.

Here are a few web sites with some products and information:

http://www.jcwhitney.com/productnoit...D=4507&BQ=jcw2

http://www.pjhbrands.com/vht/sprayundercoating.htm

 

I live in Michigan and to keep the entire underbody (not just frame) from rusting I go to this place....http://www.ziebart.com/

lifetime warranty as long as u bring it in annually for touch-ups

 

Negotiate undercoating with your dealer when you buy your truck. They won't blink an eye. If you try the do it yourself spray you will just come out looking like tar man. You will be frustrated, and you will have to clean up tar like stuff for the next few weeks from the driveway.

 

I should have mentioned just what geo036 and Stucknmud stated. When having the underbody undercoated they coat most everything under there. It is best to have a professional do it and the best time to do it is when it is new and clean right from the dealer.

Something to know is if you get it undercoated it will smell funny for a few days and maybe even a week. They usually get some on the exhaust and once the exhaust gets hot it burns off so it smells like something burning but a funny smell.

 

I never even thought about this but now it may have to go on my quickly growing wishlist. About what could I expect something like this to cost?

 

I would say somewhere around $100 - $300. Ask your dealer if they do it and for how much...

 

Does the frame rust eventually cause real structural damage to the frame (within 10 years) or is it just a cosmetic problem?

Also, when I used to have foreign cars, undercoating would eventually harden, seperate from the metal, hold moisture, and CAUSE rust. So instead of undercoating, I would get a $4 tub of axle grease from NAPA and use a paintbrush and coat as much of the unibody floorpan as I could with a layer of grease. It would seep around on its own too like grease does and get into the small places. Eventually it would pick up a layer of dust and just acquire a dull flat black appearance. It even worked when there was already surface rust, you did not have to remove the rust, the grease just soaked in. It provided great protection.

I'm thinking of doing this to my frame, any thoughts? I don't know how it will affect the (useless?) "hot wax dip" the factory provides... also I'm sure the service department will ask me what the heck the grease is all over my truck...

 

You might want to check with Ford to see whether the frames are already well protected against corrosion. In my former life in a body shop I saw cars which fell victim to supposed "rustproofing" that trapped moisture under the rubberized coating.

In modern times most parts are coated well enough to where you just do not see any serious corrosion in many parts of our country.