I just bought a 2002 F150 I was wondering what everyones opinion is on rust proofing I live where they use salt and I would like to keep the truck rust free are there other options?

 

Hey Noway, I'm up here with ya, and have been exploring my options. Several guys have spoke volumes of praise on a product called the Rusterminator. Check out their website and see what you think.

This thing can be taken off and put on a different vehicle and, since it is removable, I would think that IF you had to take your ride in for warranty work you could remove it if so inclined...

Anyone know if rustproofing and/or undercoating will void a factory warranty? I seem to get half a dozen of one answer and six of the other...

 

MY 2001 F-150 HAD AN UNDERCOATING PROFESSIONALLY SPRAYED ON AT THE DEALERSHIP. I'D SAY IF YOU TAKE IT TO THE DEALERSHIP, THEY WOULD DO IT. BUT I DON'T KNOW HOW MUCH IT WOULD BE. ON MY WINDOW STICKER IN THE OPTIONS COLUMN, IT SAYS UNDERCOATING-NO EXTRA CHARGE. IT WILL RUSTPROOF IT FOR AS LONG AS THE TRUCK WILL LAST.

 

Since many confuse Undercoating with Rust Inhibitors, you may wish to view how the two differ and how they should be installed.

One of the main concerns in installing Rust Inhibitor is if the installer "drills" holes in the body to insert the product.

The product should be a light tan in color and not black. Black is Undercoating and will plug drain holes, create concerns with windows, electric components in doors etc.

You can see how this is applied, both products at www.autoint.com and look under the Warranty Products Section, (this is the same products that DaimlerChyrsler markets under the name of Master Shield for the past 25 years.)

Drilling of holes also compromises the integrity of the body's structure.

Ketch

 

I'm here in the road salt and slush as well, and I had mine rustproofed by the dealer. It cost the same as the electronic type, but it took all day to do! The underside is completely coated and the engine compartment and all interior panels have a coating of part beeswax and part cosmoline. This thing will probablly never rust.
The bad news is all of the dirt in the door jambs and under the hood that I can not keep clean because the cosmoline and wax never completely dry, it's always tacky. I know that I did the right thing by having the truck rustproofed. But I wish now that I would have purchased the electronic type, because they do prevent rust, I just wasn't sure if they did as good of a job as having it sprayed!
In October when they had the great financing, the wife and I bought her a new '02 Taurus SEL. This time we used the electronic rust inhibator. Live and learn!
By the way, when I had the truck done, the installers didn't drill holes in the doors. They took the interior door panels off and then sprayed the inside.

 

They were developed for bridges, etc, not vehicles.

The Attorney General of Penn. will be happy to share with you the cease and desist order, the lawsuit, the court ordered refunds to purchasers, etc regarding these units.

Ketch