dogtail
New member
I was turned onto WD-40 salt belt rust proofing by my brother who had been using it on his F-250 for years. They are known for bed rot around the wheel wells. I'm in Massachusetts btw, super salty winter roads. I've heard of old timers keeping rigs solid for decades using diesel, kerosene, bar lube, motor oil whatever. I also figured this stuff will wash off, not so good for the roads or environment, well it doesn't wash off to my surprise.
Lets face it, the biggest problem for 3rd gen salt belt owners is rust...and rust proofing is kinda like that thing that seems like a burden chore. There are several different methods of rust proofing, but I like the results and quick ease of WD-40.
Getting down to micro scientific. WD-40 is very thin, it penetrates very small scale and fissures. It will infuse with small and large scale rust. With the static of road driving it attracts dust particles and over time it builds a grime barrier. This grime barrier is very effective in stopping the damage salt does. Any areas I spray with WD-40 turn a blackish color over time, the orange rust turns black. Its not so oily, just like a grime infusion.
If you drive a clean untreated 3rd gen in my region for one Winter, you can see the salt damage taking effect in one year. My 99 is clean and not rusting using this seasonal method. I like the fact you can spray WD-40 on everywhere.
HOW I DO IT - Make sure rig is cold, you don't want hot exhaust pipes. Items I use, compressor, paint sprayer, 1 gallon WD-40 from Lowes, 1 spray can of WD-40, painters plastic laid under rig, face mask/respirator for fumes, rubber gloves. First with spray can and small red hose I spray thru rocker panel drain holes, door drain holes, hatch drain holes, hood drain holes. Next I fire up compressor and spray entire inside frame, then outside of frame. Then I spray the complete undercarriage from front to back, thru open hood also, and even the core support face. Then I let it drip off for a few hours. When you start it up, it will smoke a little til it burns off the exhaust. It will look wet for some days til it does its thing and evaporation takes effect.
MAINTENANCE - Don't go thru car wash, the high pressure jets with soap will break down the coating over time. Just top wash it, if you want to clean the undercarriage, drive fast thru a big puddle. Seasonal rustproofing this way will build a nice protective film on your undercarriage, just never wash your undercarriage again. Fluid Film and other wax based coatings get ripped up by car washes too. I have been doing the WD-40 treatment twice per season, once at 1st snow and then around February, but I could probably do it only once because of my nice acquired film coating.
SEE THESE PICS - Notice my fingers rubbing on the frame coating yesterday this November from a coating that lasted all the way from last February, so you can see its stay put effectiveness. See frame grime. The underbelly floor is supposed to be grey, notice the blackish color. Anything I spray with WD-40 turns black over time. The wet black frame pic is right after I coated it.
OVERALL - WD-40, Its not for everybody, but it does work. Also know that the region you live in and how you drive may dictate your method. I drive a lot of miles, my rig is running everyday, that keeps the frame and undercarriage dry and aired out. If you have your rig parked a lot in a wet region, it will build up with moisture and rust just sitting there.
Lets face it, the biggest problem for 3rd gen salt belt owners is rust...and rust proofing is kinda like that thing that seems like a burden chore. There are several different methods of rust proofing, but I like the results and quick ease of WD-40.
Getting down to micro scientific. WD-40 is very thin, it penetrates very small scale and fissures. It will infuse with small and large scale rust. With the static of road driving it attracts dust particles and over time it builds a grime barrier. This grime barrier is very effective in stopping the damage salt does. Any areas I spray with WD-40 turn a blackish color over time, the orange rust turns black. Its not so oily, just like a grime infusion.
If you drive a clean untreated 3rd gen in my region for one Winter, you can see the salt damage taking effect in one year. My 99 is clean and not rusting using this seasonal method. I like the fact you can spray WD-40 on everywhere.
HOW I DO IT - Make sure rig is cold, you don't want hot exhaust pipes. Items I use, compressor, paint sprayer, 1 gallon WD-40 from Lowes, 1 spray can of WD-40, painters plastic laid under rig, face mask/respirator for fumes, rubber gloves. First with spray can and small red hose I spray thru rocker panel drain holes, door drain holes, hatch drain holes, hood drain holes. Next I fire up compressor and spray entire inside frame, then outside of frame. Then I spray the complete undercarriage from front to back, thru open hood also, and even the core support face. Then I let it drip off for a few hours. When you start it up, it will smoke a little til it burns off the exhaust. It will look wet for some days til it does its thing and evaporation takes effect.
MAINTENANCE - Don't go thru car wash, the high pressure jets with soap will break down the coating over time. Just top wash it, if you want to clean the undercarriage, drive fast thru a big puddle. Seasonal rustproofing this way will build a nice protective film on your undercarriage, just never wash your undercarriage again. Fluid Film and other wax based coatings get ripped up by car washes too. I have been doing the WD-40 treatment twice per season, once at 1st snow and then around February, but I could probably do it only once because of my nice acquired film coating.
SEE THESE PICS - Notice my fingers rubbing on the frame coating yesterday this November from a coating that lasted all the way from last February, so you can see its stay put effectiveness. See frame grime. The underbelly floor is supposed to be grey, notice the blackish color. Anything I spray with WD-40 turns black over time. The wet black frame pic is right after I coated it.
OVERALL - WD-40, Its not for everybody, but it does work. Also know that the region you live in and how you drive may dictate your method. I drive a lot of miles, my rig is running everyday, that keeps the frame and undercarriage dry and aired out. If you have your rig parked a lot in a wet region, it will build up with moisture and rust just sitting there.
