Rocker Panel Rust: How to stop it
 

Purchased 02 SR5 Sport couple months back.
1) Planning to treat the undercarriage/frame with Fluid Film or WD-40 on an annual basis to prevent any FURTHER deterioration due to rust and corrosion but hoping for some input regarding the rust that has started to form on the rockers.
I don’t see any access or drain holes which will allow me to spray inside the rockers.......where the rust actually starts.
Are there any, maybe I’m just missing them?
2) The frame is solid but does have fair amount of surface rust, some areas more than others. Thoughts on going with POR 15 to those areas before starting to treat with Fluid Film/WD-40.
Any suggestions much appreciated.
Pictures are of rust to the rocker in the area where front door meets the fender and the rear area by the rear door as well, just beginning at the seam.

rocker drain:

The best access to inside the rockers is under the plastic trim pieces under the doors. The pieces that are under the doors when you open them, between the carpet and rubber seal. Remove the screws and pull the trim plates up.

There are quite a few bigish access holes this way, enough that you can wash out the rockers if you wish and certainly spray inside them. I do mine every 2nd year or so.

+1
https://dwnld.icu/assets/79/AA.jpg

Perfect!!
I was focused on looking for drain holes on the underside, completely forgot to check the topside.
Should be easy enough, just open the doors and remove those sill plates to access those areas and hit them with Fluid Film/WD-40, etc.
Any thoughts regarding the need to apply POR 15 to rusty areas on the frame prior to coating annually with Fluid Film/WD-40?

As they say, picture’s worth a thousand words!
Thanks!

I'm interested in hearing the consensus on the paint before fluid film vs fluid film bare/treated metal. I've been rust busting casually before the New England winter, and have decided to go fluid film on bare metal to simplify things.

The way I see it, painting is an added step and time, where as if I am vigilant with the undercoat (>2 x a year), I can get away with it.

Maybe I'm lazy, but cutting the painting out (and hours of prep), and keeping a nice coat of Fluid film seems the answer to me.

If you have a sunroof, then that rust isn't stopping no matter what you spray. How do I know? I sprayed oil in that same spot. The sunroof drain exits in the rocker, which is why it is rusting. As such it will wash away whatever oil you use in that spot.

I completely sealed my sunroof closed. And disconnected power to it. No more leaks

My rust bubble was growing. I flooded it with metal prep oil and it seems to have stopped growing. However, I will need to replace that front section of my rocker.

It’s funny how it’s one of the only common places they rust


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