Looking for some guidance from the hive here. Picked up a really nice restorable box for my 97 C1500 project truck. Cab is mounted on a freshly painted chassis, so I'm not going to let anything crappy touch it. Question is, what would you guys do as far as the bottom of the box and the crossmembers on this box before setting it on the frame? Any suggestions on product or process? Plan is to do whatever I'm doing to the bottom of the box first, then flip it and put it on the frame or bucks to do the rest of the work needed. Appreciate you guys for any info you can give.
Undercarriage coatings?
- Thread starter wiscomick
- Start date
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Drunkcanuk
I'm Awesome
My .02c. Paint it and then keep it washed. Maybe with a good spraypaint that you can touch up as you want.
Up in Canada, lots of undercoated vehicles just rot out and you can't see it until it's too late. Because it's under a thick layer of goo. I've heard of people using oil based coatings that have to be replied yearly. But a "typical" asphalt kind of coating will eventually do more harm than good.
Up in Canada, lots of undercoated vehicles just rot out and you can't see it until it's too late. Because it's under a thick layer of goo. I've heard of people using oil based coatings that have to be replied yearly. But a "typical" asphalt kind of coating will eventually do more harm than good.
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454cid
Sooper Pooper
Rp342 cosmoline is supposed to be pretty good. I just bought some, buy haven't used it yet. YouTube reviews seem to be good.
I agree with Drunkcanuk. get some really good paint on there and then annual coatings of something that you can reapply annually. Every undercoating I've ever used here in north central PA has eventually developed pockets where moisture gets under it and rust starts.
I've used cosmoline before. Not sure if it was the RP342 but it stunk for months! Lol. Strong odor on that one. But, best product as far as longevity I ever used. I have also used motor oil concoctions, Fluid Film, and PB Blaster makes a spray can of greasy stuff that works really well. I used it last winter and it held up well.
If it's a daily driver through the winter, I think an oil based product dutifully applied is your best bet. Pain in the butt, but saves you a lot of work in the long run.
I've used cosmoline before. Not sure if it was the RP342 but it stunk for months! Lol. Strong odor on that one. But, best product as far as longevity I ever used. I have also used motor oil concoctions, Fluid Film, and PB Blaster makes a spray can of greasy stuff that works really well. I used it last winter and it held up well.
If it's a daily driver through the winter, I think an oil based product dutifully applied is your best bet. Pain in the butt, but saves you a lot of work in the long run.
PB blaster makes a product called Surface Shield. Goes on clear over your paint, simple aerosol can, and lasts about 2 years. Again it is clear so you can see if you have a rust problem occurring before it gets out of control. Personally I would paint the bottom with POR 15. The stuff is hard like Iron.
First thing is get that rust off the cross supports,up inside too. Last thing you want to do is seal in rust with any kind of coating. Use wire brushes and sand paper or if you know someone with a sand blaster better yet. When it comes time to apply your coating of choice wipe everything down with solvent. Acetone,lacquer thinner or my personal favorite,carb or brake cleaner sprayed on a rag. You're working on the underside of the truck so no need to worry about lint but if you have clean lint free rags(contradiction in terms)use them.
I've seen guys use bed liner with good results. I think in your case the brush on would be a good way to go. You could use coat hanger wire and form a loop on one end and stick a piece of rag through it to make a mop to apply the coating up inside the cross supports,kind of like a barrel mop for a shotgun. I know the factory bolted the beds right to the frame but I think some squares of heavy felt(tar paper) with the bolt holes punched in them would make good anti rub pads to go in between the frame and bed.
I've seen guys use bed liner with good results. I think in your case the brush on would be a good way to go. You could use coat hanger wire and form a loop on one end and stick a piece of rag through it to make a mop to apply the coating up inside the cross supports,kind of like a barrel mop for a shotgun. I know the factory bolted the beds right to the frame but I think some squares of heavy felt(tar paper) with the bolt holes punched in them would make good anti rub pads to go in between the frame and bed.
OutlawDrifter
Long Roof K2500 Driver
Remove rust, coat with epoxy sealer, paint to desired color, then coat in Fluid Film EVERY year.
remove rust, clean, epoxy primer, 2K paint or bedliner. cavity wax inside supports, fluid film type product yearly if driving in winter. Nothing brushed and no aerosols. And no POR crap.
I did 2 OBS boxes last year with epoxy, bedliner and cavity wax. One got Woolwax since it would see Wis winters. All my winter dailys get Woolwax.
I did 2 OBS boxes last year with epoxy, bedliner and cavity wax. One got Woolwax since it would see Wis winters. All my winter dailys get Woolwax.
@TechNova whats your opinion on Klean Strip Metal Prep or Ospho?
FrankieD61
The Stooge Called Slappy: Slappy'sAutoService
I've had good results with open gear lube and CRC's marine grade rust inhibitor.
