Is this Rust Concerning?

[WrangleredUp]

I've had my New 2025 JLU Willys XR for about 9 months now, and after looking underneath recently, I discovered some rust starting to form mostly on the axles. I also noticed some corrosion on both the locking lug nuts and the protection ring screws on the Wheels. I can also see that the frame and suspension components are starting to look grey and slightly chalky.

Should I be concerned about any of this? if it's not anything to worry about than that's fine. If you have any tips to "fix" some of these issues, I would appreciate it. I have attached pictures of everything I mentioned. Thanks.

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[Nate88cool]

Completely normal. If in the northern or salt belt have it oil sprayed and you're good to go.

 

[WrangleredUp]

I forgot to mention that I’m in NJ and it’s only been through one winter. There is always a lot of salt on the roads here.

 

[dank8307]

Not yet. Unfortunately, they're just going to keep growing and spreading.

Start spraying Surface Shield or Fluid Film every year. Properly done, that'll prevent new rust from forming and stop the existing ones from spreading. You'll need about 8 cans for the initial application to be thorough. After that you can cut it down to about 6 cans for subsequent applications.

 

[WrangleredUp]

Not yet. Unfortunately, they're just going to keep growing and spreading.

Start spraying Surface Shield or Fluid Film every year. Properly done, that'll prevent new rust from forming and stop the existing ones from spreading. You'll need about 8 cans for the initial application to be thorough. After that you can cut it down to about 6 cans for subsequent applications.

Thanks! I’ve done some research on fluid film, and it seams like a big project for me to do myself right now. I found this place in Pennsylvania called Mount Zion Offroad and it seems like they do a pretty good job. They use fluid film black.

 

[The Last Cowboy]

Not at all a problem, or out of the ordinary, on those heavy components. You can spray some rust converter on it, then wire brush it. It doesn’t have to be clean bare metal, just the powder and flakes need to be gone.

Then dilute gloss black Rustoleum, from a can, with 10% acetone. The acetone will make it dry quicker and give it a satin finish. Use a small brush to apply it. Spray paint is messy, and causes ugly overspray when used for touch up work.

 

[dank8307]

Thanks! I’ve done some research on fluid film, and it seams like a big project for me to do myself right now. I found this place in Pennsylvania called Mount Zion Offroad and it seems like they do a pretty good job. They use fluid film black.

I used to use Fluid Film, but transitioned to Surface Shield because it's easier to apply and noticeably longer lasting than Fluid Film. Fluid Film is viscous and lasts for a year, whereas Surface Shield is less so (allowing it to creep into crevices better) and lasts for about 1.5 years. I still apply it every year. And I wouldn't call it a big project. You just need a couple of hours with eye protection, mask, and clothes you don't care about getting dirty.

Also, I personally don't like the black lanolin undercoating sprays. I tend to view people who use them on their vehicles as having something to hide.

 

[WrangleredUp]

I used to use Fluid Film, but transitioned to Surface Shield because it's easier to apply and noticeably longer lasting than Fluid Film. Fluid Film is viscous and lasts for a year, whereas Surface Shield is less so (allowing it to creep into crevices better) and lasts for about 1.5 years. I still apply it every year. And I wouldn't call it a big project. You just need a couple of hours with eye protection, mask, and clothes you don't care about getting dirty.

Also, I personally don't like the black lanolin undercoating sprays. I tend to view people who use them on their vehicles as having something to hide.

A concern I have with these coatings is that I heard they could be pressure washed off. Does this mean I need to reapply every time I clean the undercarriage after off-roading?

 

[dank8307]

A concern I have with these coatings is that I heard they could be pressure washed off. Does this mean I need to reapply every time I clean the undercarriage after off-roading?

Lanolin undercoatings are designed to resist being washed to an extent. They aren't going to be washed away easily if you spray them with cold water. Using pressure washer on the coated surface can wash them away a little faster, but not exponentially so. I use pressure washer to clean my undercarriage after wheeling and the coating stays on, as long as I don't use the pressure washer too close to the surface. The way these things work is they bead up and wick moisture away, so if there's even a thin layer of the stuff that's intact, that'll be enough to keep the water away from the surface.

They will, however, be washed away faster if you use warm water and soap.

Here's a video for demonstration:

 

[AlgUSF]

Lanolin undercoatings are designed to resist being washed to an extent. They aren't going to be washed away easily if you spray them with cold water. Using pressure washer on the coated surface can wash them away a little faster, but not exponentially so. I use pressure washer to clean my undercarriage after wheeling and the coating stays on, as long as I don't use the pressure washer too close to the surface. The way these things work is they bead up and wick moisture away, so if there's even a thin layer of the stuff that's intact, that'll be enough to keep the water away from the surface.

They will, however, be washed away faster if you use warm water and soap.

Here's a video for demonstration:

I only use AMSOIL products, do they make a similar product?

 

[Old Dogger]

Nope..........

 

[dank8307]

I only use AMSOIL products, do they make a similar product?

Apparently they do. It's called the HD Metal Protector. They also have the regular Metal Protector, which is more of a penetrating oil than undercoating, so you want the HD if you want to try it out.

I never used it so I can't say how well it performs. But this guy did a comparison test of various undercoating:


But, ultimately, after he had the chance to try to Surface Shield once it released, he went with Surface Shield over the others:

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