So I got the great news that I'm being stationed in Kauai for a few years starting mid summer. I hear the corosion problems out there are unbelievable and I obviously want to keep the truck looking good, since it's the only vehicle I get to take (wife's gotta sell the mustang). I was thinking that undercoating and a sprayed in bedliner would seal up some of the logical places where corrosion will start, so here's the question(s):

1) If anyone's been there for a decent amount of time, what's it realy like?

2) Is undercoating actually worth it to alleviate some corrosion? Can it be done now that the truck is a year and a half old?

3) Any other ideas on how to keep the truck looking good with a constant salt breeze? Regluar washing and waxing comes to mind, anything else out there?

Thanks in advance,
~Rob

 

Having lived on Guam for 2 years, which I would believe is just as bad if not worse than Kauai, I would recommend the undercoating. My 97 Dodge Ram had it and it lasted 3 years on Guam (I bought it used with the coating already applied) with no visible signs of corrosion on the underside. My recommendation to you is simple... Wash your truck once a week, no matter the weather, when it's cool, at night is usually the best, to get/keep the salt spray off it. Then wax your truck with a premium carnuba (I used Megiuars Gold Class) every two weeks. This may seem excessive but you do not want to let the salt have a chance start any corrosion. If you get any scratches or chips, either touch them up paint or clear nail polish. Again, the idea is to keep salt away from the metal at all costs. One item usually neglected are the wheels. Make sure you wash & wax them too.

Hawaii... Lucky...

KC-10 FE out...

 

Only visited a couple times, heaven on earth! If it were me, I would sell my F150 and buy a "cheap" car for island use (gas very $$$, almost all twisty roads, no-expressways, lots of stop-n-go) then ditch it when you leave. Rains everyday, washing isnt going to do much other than drive you nuts, but then again, who cares, you are on Kauai. How I envy you!

 

ZIEBART

I've had one Ziebarted & driven through the surf (to keep from sticking) with no rust problems.

 

Lived there for a 3 year tour. Undercoat, wash every week, wax at least once a month if not more. I kept mine waxed with a good carnuba also. The island is alot bigger than Guam, (lived there for a year), so you'll enjoy your truck being there. Maybe someone who lives in cold country can give you an idea how well these trucks hold up on the salty roads.

Good luck and have fun. We loved it over there. My daughter was a 1 year old when we got there, after 3 years she had never had shoes on. Just flip flops. And always a perfect tan.

 

Bro...

I'm on Maui, but just try not to let mud and stuff cake up on the underbody. Wash about once a week (I'm pretty **** about a dirty truck) and wax every other month or so. Don't be drivin' on the beach...It's illegal anyway and you really don't was ocean salt water all over the undercarriage. You should be good to go...I use a hose sprayer, get up underneath and can usually spend about 20-30 minutes underneath if I've been driving through mud or after a decent rain.

My last truck was a '90 F-250 with factory undercoating. 140k Hawaiian miles and NO RUST! About 8 years ago, my son got nailed by a guy that crossed-over and the re-paint on the hood is just now fading out. I just sold the 250 'cause gas was killin' me over here! It's DOWN to $2.92 for 87 now.