Thoughts on Rust-proofing, undercoating, paint protection?

[tts42572]

Have a new JLRU Wrangler on order and it's the first vehicle I'm buying where I actually plan to keep it for awhile....Hopefully at least 6-7 years and around 100,000 miles or something. In the past, I've always been a 3-5 year guy and I've moved on. This is a vehicle I've wanted for quite awhile though and planning to enjoy it for longer if I can.

Anyways, looking for thoughts on the various vehicle preservation things out there. I've never spent any money on this type of stuff in the past since I never realyl cared about what I was driving but just wondering if any Wrangler owners have? I live in the Northeast where rust, snow, salt can be an issue and wondering if I should be taking any extra steps.

I started out looking at services that Ziebart offers but the more research I do, the more mixed reviews I see. I see many saying the undercoating just makes a mess and rust protection smells bad and they drill holes in your vehicle. And their paint protection stuff is pretty expensive....$600 for diamond gloss and about double that for ceramic treatment. So I don't know what I want to do. I have to wonder how much of this is over-priced gimmicks.

Just wondering if any Wrangler owners had any advice on this stuff. Anything worth the money? Any alternatives you've found? I'm not a guy that's going to wash my Jeep every week or something. It'll be my main vehicle, driven year around through all seasons. I also don't anticipate much off roading and not worried about scratches, mud, etc.

Would appreciate any thoughts people might have and what's worked for you for any of these things.

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[shelglass]

I just made my appointment for rustproofing at Krown for next Thursday. I think it's peace of mind, especially on Jeeps

 

[Dan M.]

I just got my first Jeep, so I might be off base here. However, I 've always kept my cars until they blow up. Never got rust proofing and never had an issue with rust. Modern vehicles seem pretty resistant to rust right out of the factory.

 

[BuffaloBill]

On a 2012 Jk Rubicon the axles housings and suspension arms had a fair amount of cosmetic rust, after two Wisconsin (salt) winters. I then started using fluidfilm on that Jeep, the Ram we bought in 2014, and on the 2018 JK we traded the 2012 in for. It’s a bit messy with that stuff, but wipe it off anywhere underneath and it basically looks like new. I respray areas that get pressure-washed off each Fall.

 

[four low]

I live in Central New York, where Corrosion is King; I use, and recommend " Rust Cop". (Carwell ).It's applied once a year at specialist, has an excellent Warranty, and works. The cost is about $ 90 per application. Check it out

 

[ToolMan514]

My local Jeep shop does a custom spray mix that I have applied once or twice a year. Plus I keep cans of Fluid Film on hand to cover any exposed areas...

But have a look at this thread: https://www.jlwranglerforums.com/forum/threads/the-great-rust-proofing-poll.3843/

 

[tts42572]

I'm in Upstate Western NY. Where do you have it applied? Just wondering if anyplace near Buffalo or Rochester does something like this.

I've seen their website where you can buy yourself. Suppose I could just buy some and spray underneath best I can. I'd definitely pay $90 though.

I just hate the thought of putting that black goup that Ziebart uses all over the underside. I'd rather use a product like you suggest.

I live in Central New York, where Corrosion is King; I use, and recommend " Rust Cop". (Carwell ).It's applied once a year at specialist, has an excellent Warranty, and works. The cost is about $ 90 per application. Check it out

 

[OldGuyNewJeep]

Anything worth the money?

No.

 

[clayps]

They can say the current metals used now are sufficient to prevent rust as much as they want, but if you're in an area with road salt, all bets are off. I get my 2010 JK professionally treated every couple of years, and do touch ups on the off years. It has kept the majority of the underside in good shape, but I do still have some rust on the gas tank skid, and in areas with crevices like shock mounts and what not. In my opinion it's cheap insurance.

 

[VNT]

I do it myself.

https://www.jlwranglerforums.com/forum/threads/rust-protection-standard.20062/page-2

 

[tts42572]

Thanks for the info! Made my appointment at a Carwell in Buffalo. I don't even have the Jeep yet but they're already booking out to December so figured I'd make the appointment in hopes I have the Jeep. Price seems very reasonable and it will give me some piece of mind without going overboard.

When you have yours done, do you allow them to drill in the frame/doors? I'm not sure I'm keen on the idea of drilling holes in my new Jeep. The person I spoke to said I could have it done without the drilling if I wanted to and they would just spray the bottom areas and get wherever they could in the frame without drilling.

I live in Central New York, where Corrosion is King; I use, and recommend " Rust Cop". (Carwell ).It's applied once a year at specialist, has an excellent Warranty, and works. The cost is about $ 90 per application. Check it out

 

[Coops4284]

I do it myself. First I have a subscription to a car wash in town. It uses rubber wash wheels, not the cloth, so its less prone to scratch the paint. I have the ultimate plan that includes a polymer paint protectant. Does a good job with bugs, mud, and other stuff. For the frame/underbody I wash that with my pressure washer after every wheeling trip, and apply Fluid Film twice a year. No issues with rust or corrosion and I live in NW Ohio where they use brine and salt in the winter.

 

[jhern88]

My local Jeep shop does a custom spray mix that I have applied once or twice a year. Plus I keep cans of Fluid Film on hand to cover any exposed areas...

But have a look at this thread: https://www.jlwranglerforums.com/forum/threads/the-great-rust-proofing-poll.3843/

So what type of product did the shop use to undercoating to protect from salt winter snow jeep wrangler jl?

 

[jhern88]

I do it myself. First I have a subscription to a car wash in town. It uses rubber wash wheels, not the cloth, so its less prone to scratch the paint. I have the ultimate plan that includes a polymer paint protectant. Does a good job with bugs, mud, and other stuff. For the frame/underbody I wash that with my pressure washer after every wheeling trip, and apply Fluid Film twice a year. No issues with rust or corrosion and I live in NW Ohio where they use brine and salt in the winter.

So you only use fluid films and this product dont to dry just spray and go also after spray can you do under car wash and fluid films will now come off and wash away?

 

[Coops4284]

So you only use fluid films and this product dont to dry just spray and go also after spray can you do under car wash and fluid films will now come off and wash away?

Yes all I use is Fluid Film. It does eventually was off, that's why I apply it twice a year. If you google Fluid Film or Woolwax there is plenty of information on how it works and when/how to use it.

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