Undercarriage Maintenance/Rust management

[bemerritt]

SO after some winter camping I have noticed some rust appearing as shown below.

I generally rinse off the underside but perhaps too much driving in the snow on the salted roads is having a negative impact. I live in Southern California and this is the first winter the van has been in the snow since it was just converted to 4x4 last fall.

So what do you guys generally do to prevent this? It seems mostly surface at this point. Pressure wash? Take it somewhere? any advice would be great!

[arctictraveller]

I'm about to start in on some undercarrage maintenance my self after a winter of salted roads. I'll treat the worst of it with Osflo (a rust converter) and then paint with something, probably Rustolum. It's a never ending battle, but regular attention helps. You can get as anal as you want, but I simply go for the worst of it each year and live with the surface rust like you see on the frame. Oh yea, I also try to wash the undercarage any time it's exposed to salt from the beach or roads. I normall set a lawn sprinkler under the van and then move it around for an hour or so. I also pay close attention to places where sand holds up, like in the bottom corners of the front fenders, and a few places on the frame. So far, this has kept me one step ahead of far more serious rust issues.

[rallypanam]

Originally Posted by bemerritt

SO after some winter camping I have noticed some rust appearing as shown below.

I generally rinse off the underside but perhaps too much driving in the snow on the salted roads is having a negative impact. I live in Southern California and this is the first winter the van has been in the snow since it was just converted to 4x4 last fall.

So what do you guys generally do to prevent this? It seems mostly surface at this point. Pressure wash? Take it somewhere? any advice would be great!

That looks like normal surface. Since you live in CA, I'd just clean it after you come out of the snow or off the beach.. You'll have a little surface rust, but nothing to worry about.

[saline]

I rattle can black Rust Oleum hammered finish on the underside at least once a year (usually in the spring).

[QuadsBC]

I use fluid film. I coat the frame and underside yearly and use a smaller spray can for touching up the areas that get more road abuse. The frame looks dirty, but once wiped away, it looks like new!

[Twoxentrix]

I have been looking for a solution for the same problem - have contacted and investigated numerous options i came across through on-line searches (live in Maryland, which forces me to contend with the results of Road salt) and have not come across a reasonable solution that addresses most of the cracks, crevices, and tight spots created because of all the equipment mounted underneath.
I believe QuadsBC has just provided me the answer I've been seeking. Never came across "fluid film", and After reading about it I'm sold.
QuadsBC, Can I ask you to clarify - I get the impression that when you spray this product you really do not have to worry about small amounts of "over-spray", is that correct? And is it necessary to wipe as much off as possible? or can you just leave it? lastly, I'm guessing its wise to stay away from anything that gets real hot (EX: exhaust & Engine)...correct?

[86Scotty]

Originally Posted by bemerritt

So what do you guys generally do to prevent this? It seems mostly surface at this point. Pressure wash? Take it somewhere? any advice would be great!

Easy. Park it in the garage and don't drive it anymore.

[QuadsBC]

Originally Posted by Twoxentrix

I have been looking for a solution for the same problem - have contacted and investigated numerous options i came across through on-line searches (live in Maryland, which forces me to contend with the results of Road salt) and have not come across a reasonable solution that addresses most of the cracks, crevices, and tight spots created because of all the equipment mounted underneath.
I believe QuadsBC has just provided me the answer I've been seeking. Never came across "fluid film", and After reading about it I'm sold.
QuadsBC, Can I ask you to clarify - I get the impression that when you spray this product you really do not have to worry about small amounts of "over-spray", is that correct? And is it necessary to wipe as much off as possible? or can you just leave it? lastly, I'm guessing its wise to stay away from anything that gets real hot (EX: exhaust & Engine)...correct?

No, you don't have to worry about overspray, I use about 3/4 of a gallon on the initial coat of fluid film. I would advise not to directly cover the exhaust, inevitably over spray will get on it but will 'burn' off. I do spray it on a rag and wipe down the aluminum parts on my engine, it keeps them from pitting. You can also coat the inside of the doors which will keep them from rusting inside out. if it gets on the exterior of the paint, it wipes away without damage. I've thought about wiping down the roof rails to prevent rusting there too.

[FVShootingStar]

I don't post here often, I own and take care of a 50 ft. steel commercial fish boat, try this, I've used everything there is. It's pretty amazing stuff, it will convert that rust to a hard black finish, I recently did my 03 F 250, with very good results, I painted after the Coroseal, mine wasn't bad, about what I see in these pictures, you will be amazed.
https://www.amazon.com/Corroseal-823...N%3DB001CRETZW

[Bbasso]

I'd strongly suggest to anyone who really wants to keep the rust gone would have to sand down any metal completely, smooth or course -doesn't matter then to primer and paint to the very best of your ability. After a few days then to apply a thick coating of under carriage protectant such as the ones list above. I've probably cleaned more van bottoms then most people it's was one of my recent pleasurable jobs.