Coating The Undercarriage - Yea or Na

[Unctarheels88]

I would second what Doityourself said. I personally use a product called liquid wrench. Up here in AK, ive sprayed the underneath of our SxS with it before an all day trip and come back and wash and the mud seems to come right off without effort.
Secondly, Fluid Film is a great product. I am a helicopter mechanic and we use fluid film all over the aircraft. Ive heard of guys going on across country trips spraying there underneath with fluid film and spraying it all off when they arrive. Good product for sure.

 

[T4RGold]

I would second what Doityourself said. I personally use a product called liquid wrench. Up here in AK, ive sprayed the underneath of our SxS with it before an all day trip and come back and wash and the mud seems to come right off without effort.
Secondly, Fluid Film is a great product. I am a helicopter mechanic and we use fluid film all over the aircraft. Ive heard of guys going on across country trips spraying there underneath with fluid film and spraying it all off when they arrive. Good product for sure.

Great feedback! Thank you Sir.

 

[Dustinhxc]

I'm definitely interested in doing undercoating since the salt is INSANE here in MN. It is very nice to drive on but eats the dang paint up. Ive never personally tried it, but I plan to.

 

[SkidPalace]

It is petroleum based, and it will make rubber door seals, exhaust hangers, etc swell. It's easy enough to wipe off, but if left- it can make a mess of some rubber, requiring replacement. I replaced a hell of a lot of door seals on my old truck because I ignored this.

Dang. I was also under the impression that Lanolin based Fluid Film was safe for all plastics and rubbers. They must have changed the formula. I distinctly started using this stuff because it was safe.
I am starting to wonder if this is why my X-REAS failed after only 1 year and 6,000 miles.
I think I will power wash this crap off my shocks and other X-REAS components after the winter.

 

[Runn4est]

Dang. I was also under the impression that Lanolin based Fluid Film was safe for all plastics and rubbers. They must have changed the formula. I distinctly started using this stuff because it was safe.
I am starting to wonder if this is why my X-REAS failed after only 1 year and 6,000 miles.
I think I will power wash this crap off my shocks and other X-REAS components after the winter.

I guess everyone has different experiences but I have no issues on my plastics. XREAS is good to go too.

 

[YankGooner]

I've been looking in to best ways to undercoat too. My 2003 is in pretty great shape and I'd like to keep it that way. VA gets a decent amount of snow and ice each winter and the roads already have salt and sand all over them. I also plan on taking the 4R to the beach in the summer.

Fluid Film looks like a great option if you don't mind re-applying it seasonally and are careful about where and how much you apply.

My friend recommended Por-15, but looking in to it; I'm not convinced it would be best for me because it looks like it adheres best to a previously rusted or sandblasted metal surface.

Is the consensus that the time and effort of reapplying seasonal oil/wax coats the best option? or is there a great 1x fix?

Edit:

Also just looked in to Ziebart. I want to save $ and DIY. But it looks like their spray cans are available for retail. Has anyone had any experience using Ziebart products/services?

 

[03v8raleigh]

i have used fluid film since i bought my 07 sport. twice a year. once before the winter and again in the spring. i live on the east coast and i drive on the beaches to go fishing. the frame looks like it is brand new. i never coated the frame on my 01 when i had it and the frame fell apart. trying to preserve this one for as long as i can. currently at 180,000 miles and going strong.

Roger

are there any particular places on the underside of the 4th gen that is good to avoid? I just coated the underside of my 03 with fluid film before the recent road salting, and pretty much just coated everything, since it was supposed to be safe on plastics. But if there are common rubber parts that are not good to coat, that'd be great to know!!

 

[Runn4est]

are there any particular places on the underside of the 4th gen that is good to avoid? I just coated the underside of my 03 with fluid film before the recent road salting, and pretty much just coated everything, since it was supposed to be safe on plastics. But if there are common rubber parts that are not good to coat, that'd be great to know!!

I just coated my 4th gen last weekend. Honestly, I wouldn't worry too much. I touched up the rusty screws on the actuator cap, and things like that. My personal thought is just spray the frame and any metal underneath that is prone to rust. If you happen to spray a little plastic or rubber, it is what it is.

 

[RockyrT4R]

Do it!!

I live in Idaho and used the Berliner in spray cans to coat all frame rails and such, not only has it held up AMAZING it looks really good because it's all blacked out. I didn't clean it before I painted either (it was already somewhat clean) but it still is holding up awesome!! :banana:

 

[WallyT4R]

I fluid filmed mine for the first time in December and there is no way you can avoid spraying all the rubber components underneath these vehicles. I chose not to worry about the rubber. We will see what happens but so far I like this product.

 

[Nottoday]

I always hit the undercarriage/frame with a cleaner to degrease before a few coats of flat black rustolium.

 

[jspagna1]

I have been using this stuff for years on my vehicles with great success. Along with hitting the rear axle with rustoleum as well.