I JUST BOUGHT A 1998 F150 , I NOTICED THERE IS A LITTLE RUST ON THE INSIDE BOTTON OF THE DOORS AND ON THE INSIDE BOTTOM OF THE TAILGATE. THIS RUST IN NOT TO BAD BUT I WONDER IF THERE IS ANYWAY I CAN KEEP IT FROM SPREADING AND BECOMING WORSE?

 

Take it to th dealer. Others have gotten the dealer to repair that particular problem under the "rust" warranty. I made sure my rucks were rust proofed, so have avoided that problem.

 

Dennis,
What is your opinion on the "oil" treatment rust proffing as opposed to the dealer "rubberized" rust proofing? Thanks

 

oil based rustproofing needs to reapplied annually. Chemical type systems do not need reapplication as frequently.

 

do they make any type of products that i could by at autozone or something and apply myself? I have a little rust on the bottom of the tailgate also and on the gas door where some paint chipped off.

 

Well, the only kind of rustproofing I have had experience with is the waxy stuff. Under the truck, they use this black waxy stuff. The rest of the truck, it's a milky yellow/amber stuff.

I have yet to experience the kind of rusting everybody else seems to be getting. While we don't have to worry about salt on the roads like people in snow country do, we do have a major problem with salt mist from the ocean. Hell, when it rains briefly here, my truck is covered with a white powder. That's salt that's leached out of the air by the rain. I also drive on roads that sometimes become inundated by the tide.

The dealer does mine and they do a great job. Every bolt in the body is coated. Every seam and every single exposed metallic surface under the truck and under the hood is coated. They even do the inside of the bumpers.

I still see my old '97 running around and it's still rust free, from what I can see. My old '87 is looking a bit beat up, but still rust free too.

BTW, regarding the bumpers. If you're going to rust proof anything, make sure the insides of the bumpers get a coating. I've seen some late model F series where the insides of the bumpers are really rusty.

I know at one time, rustproofing wasn't advised because it kept the moisture in and actually made things rust more. I think the technology has advanced to the point where that isn't an issue any more. I've been happy with the results from my dealer so far and around here, it's been a selling point in selling my old vehicles. I use the dealer because I don't like the looks of the independant rust proofers in my area.