Rust proofing new cars (underneath)

[eztarget]

What's people's take on this? I live in the Ithaca NY area and we get about 150-200 inches of snow a year which means lots and lots of salt on the roads. As a reference as I write this post it's snowing outside (November 10th).

I just bought a brand new 2017 Sahara and want to keep it from rusting out like my 1997 Wrangler eventually succumbed to.

There are Ziebart dealers near me but I just spoke to my local dealer (I bought this car in Virginia) and they said they no longer do this because the factory seals them.

What are people's thoughts on this?

Sponsored

 

[four low]

I have my JK done by "Rust Cop", its a Carwell franchise. UPS and Bluebird Bus have their vehicles done, other fleet owners do too.
It's done annually, and is warranteed against rust out , Google it. The "new" corrosive anti-icing stuff put on our roads makes this type of treatment a must to protect your investment.
I also flush out the frame and underbody with " Salt-Away", a product that chemically neutralizes the salt compounds. I do this in the Spring, then have my JK treated with Rust Cop in the Spring , as per their recommendation.

 

[JLWF Dealer Guy]

I've never done this before. But seeing its particular Circumstances, I'm gonna knock $100 bucks off that tru coat for ya.

 

[AZCrawl]

I have my JK done by "Rust Cop", its a Carwell franchise. UPS and Bluebird Bus have their vehicles done, other fleet owners do too.
It's done annually, and is warranteed against rust out , Google it. The "new" corrosive anti-icing stuff put on our roads makes this type of treatment a must to protect your investment.
I also flush out the frame and underbody with " Salt-Away", a product that chemically neutralizes the salt compounds. I do this in the Spring, then have my JK treated with Rust Cop in the Spring , as per their recommendation.

How much does that cost you each Spring?

 

[Mabar]

What's people's take on this? I live in the Ithaca NY area and we get about 150-200 inches of snow a year which means lots and lots of salt on the roads. As a reference as I write this post it's snowing outside (November 10th).

I just bought a brand new 2017 Sahara and want to keep it from rusting out like my 1997 Wrangler eventually succumbed to.

There are Ziebart dealers near me but I just spoke to my local dealer (I bought this car in Virginia) and they said they no longer do this because the factory seals them.

What are people's thoughts on this?

Many people disagree with getting new vehicles undercoated, but I swear by Ziebart!

I had my 2006 TJ Rubicon Ziebart Undercoated when new and then had it re-sprayed at about 70,000 (?) miles. It now has about 103,000 miles and it is in storage, but the undercarriage still looks great, after MANY Northeast Ohio Winters with LOTS of salt on the roads.

I then had the same Ziebart Undercoating on my 2011 JK Rubicon when new. When I traded it in during the fall of 2015, the undercarriage still looked great.

I then had my 2016 JK Rubicon Ziebart Undercoated the same way. Looks great so far with 38,000 miles on it.

I do not get the complete rustproofing where they drill holes in the doors, and body. I just get the undercoating and it works great.

 

[Bradley]

Many people disagree with getting new vehicles undercoated, buy I swear by Ziebart!

I had my 2006 TJ Rubicon Ziebart Undercoated when new and then had it re-sprayed at about 70,000 (?) miles. It now has about 103,000 miles and it is in storage, but the undercarriage still looks great, after MANY Northeast Ohio Winters with LOTS of salt on the roads.

I then had the same Ziebart Undercoating on my 2011 JK Rubicon when new. When I traded it in during the fall of 2015, the undercarriage still looked great.

I then had my 2016 JK Rubicon Ziebart Undercoated the same way. Looks great so far with 38,000 miles on it.

I do not get the complete rustproofing where they drill holes in the doors, and body. I just get the undercoating and it works great.

Nice to see a fellow NE Ohio Jeeper on here.

 

[XFinn]

I live in Rochester (about the same snowfall as you, EZ) and around here Ziebart has a kinda bad reputation. For a bit more $, I like the ceramic coating. Unbelievable shine, sheen, salt/mud/rain/ice/snow protection and never need waxing (a real bonus given the Wrangler's small but complicated waxing surface area). If you plan on a lot or trail or off road exploring (i.e. getting that well worn broken in look with scratches, dings, dents, chips and the like) don't bother with ceramic. I'm a daily driver with only occasional off roading (I know, blasphemy!) so I like the showroom new look.

 

[DanW]

My JK has survived 10 winters in Indiana, with LOTS of road salt. The frame and everything underneath looks like new. Every Spring and Fall, I wash the underbody, then hit any spot that looks like it is even starting to rust with Rustoleum Rust Reformer. Depending on the area, when it dries, I'll go over the top of it with Rustoleum flat black paint.

I also take care to go through touchless carwashes with underbody wash as often as possible when the roads are salted. I frequently wash clean water into the frame holes, too. From what I can see, they look pretty good inside.

 

[Red Rocker]

I use Fluid Film.....Apply it once a year in the fall, comes in spray cans or you can buy a gallon can and use the correct spray gun for it. A gallon will do 2 vehicles.

http://www.fluid-film.com/

If you have a couple of vehicles to do, this all inclusive kit on amazon makes it easier, and the next year you just need to buy the $50 gallon refill

https://www.amazon.com/Fluid-Underc...pID=41GdxdelwBL&preST=_SX300_QL70_&dpSrc=srch

 

[SKT]

.

Here is another vote for fluid film.

.

 

[four low]

The Rust Cop application costs me $85 each time. The vehicle is put on lift, underside blown off with compressed air ( first application has access holes drilled, rubber plugged after spray)
Its done from the Belt line down, so inside doors, body cavities done. Also engine compartment. You can also DIY, buy the Rust Cop by quarts or gallons, also an application kit. , The fact that Bluebird Bus won't take trade- in buses unless Rust Copped is an indication that it actually works.
I like it as it doesn't form a thick coating that moisture can be trapped under, forming blisters of corrosion.
I also make the effort to flush frame, everything with Salt Away in the Spring. Then Rust Cop.
Over 10 years, thats $850 in Rust Cop applications. Since I live in Salt Belt, the life expectancy of a vehicle is 10 years , brake and fuel lines are the first to go, so that $ is part of my Investment Protection.
DIY, and cost would be halved, or less

 

[tatarin]

Used fluid film here in Chicago, this stuff smells but works great under the car. I apply it once a year with a spray gun to all my cars. I plan on using it on the JL when I get it.

 

[Mabar]

I found these two photos on another Jeep forum, for an example of undercarriage rust on a JK. Mostly, this is only surface rust, which really does not hurt anything, but I prefer little to no rust if possible.

This has never happened on any of my TJ's or JK's when Ziebart undercoating was applied when the vehicle was new. Of course, I have a lot of scrapes from off-roading, and yes those areas have some surface rust, but overall - no undercarriage rust with Ziebart








.

 

[DanW]

I found these two photos on another Jeep forum, for an example of undercarriage rust on a JK. Mostly, this is only surface rust, which really does not hurt anything, but I prefer little to no rust if possible.

This has never happened on any of my TJ's or JK's when Ziebart undercoating was applied when the vehicle was new. Of course, I have a lot of scrapes from off-roading, and yes those areas have some surface rust, but overall - no undercarriage rust with Ziebart








.

Show us the TJ! I'll try and get a pic of my JK later. I've got none of that with the Rust Reformer treatments, but I do it twice a year, too.

 

[four low]

The rust inside frames, rockers, hat channels, fenders- thats the Jeep Killer.
I have a 2000 TJ, manual, 4 spd, runs great. Frame totally shot. I bought it to restore, luckily found a decent frame. This is a sad and common tale with Wranglers. The Fluid Film, Rust Cop thin aerosols that penetrate, and creep are a good effort. Drain holes and " flushability" a must.
Wouldn't a GALVANIZED Frame from the factory be a great Option ?
I'd sign up for that in a heartbeat !

Sponsored