How to Fluid Film your 3rd Gen

That makes me feel better, I guess it just looses its shine after a run through some water

 

I hit mine with mavcoat the other week. I'll report back if anyone is interested. I just didn't want a truck that smelled like goat, and mavcoat smells so good

 

Is there a difference between fluid film and mavcoat?

 

Yeah, they are both completely different things. Fluid film is made from mashed up sheep (probably not) and mavcoat is this weird wax that you spray over raw metal to keep it from rusting in the elements. I made a bumper and hit it with mavcoat and it didn't rust through a northeastern winter, but last year was a light winter. And it was raw steel. It is cool though because they say you can weld through it (doesn't contaminate weld) but I didn't risk that. I was considering fluid film on my 3rd gen and didn't pull the trigger because the smell. And then I remembered duh I have a case of mavcoat laying around for fab stuff. So I hit the truck and I'm gonna see if it works. It should, I don't see why not.

ETA it's not a wax per se but it sprays on really low viscosity with a blue tracer to it, and then tacks up, and then becomes like a dry waxy film. Smells amazing.

 

thats interesting, ill have to look into it. i actually like the smell of fluid film though. this is my first year using fluid film, ive read very good reviews on it so well see how well it works. if im not satisfied, i might be looking into mavcoat. i live in southern pa where they love to over coat the roads with salt so id like to prevent as much rust as possible

 

I would say test out both on a piece of steel. I have a feeling fluid film is so gnarly it can't NOT fail, but I have high hopes for mavcoat. I just don't want a gnarly smelling and gunked up ride if I can help it. But if mavcoat doesn't work I'll be switching to fluid film pretty quick. They both have that one thing going for them over the undercoatings, they won't trap water behind them. Also I feel like fluid film doesn't smell as bad as it used to because just a few moments ago a friend blasted a can on his domestic truck and it smelled like strawberries.

 

Does dirt collect on it like the fluid film? Rinse off easily?

I'm willing to use that instead, if it will last a full season and will wash off when I need it to. I know that's probably asking a lot lol

 

I can't imagine why you would need to ever wash it off. Minus the blue tracer it's pretty fucking invisible. But non chlorinated brake clean takes it off. I have no idea if this is a better alternative, but I'm trying this out. I'll IM you if it works, or maybe someone who has used this before can chime in. Until then I'm in the same boat. Fingers crossed. Trial and error though, maybe get both and coat two different things, see what happens. That's what I'm doing as well.

 

I'll blast it with salt water and harsh words. Be back later after a few weeks of torture to see. I don't know how solid the science is but whatever. I'm a bro so. Bro science is mad legit.

 

I'm in for the science.

 

Grab your protein shake and flatbill.

 

I don't dislike the smell of fluid film. I was expecting it to be much worse. Once aerisol can application was done, I really never noticed the smell after the first day. If all goes well this season, will buy the gallon can and sprayer for next season. Probably will smell worse applying that way....

 

second that motion

 

Yeah, in for the science, harsh words and torture- not sure how the last two will effect the rust process, but that is how great discoveries are made...

 

It's a little smelly, but after a week or so the smell is gone.

 

On a side note, will be testing fluid film on the snow blower and shovels - supposed to keep the snow from sticking.

 

^^good idea!

 

Another factor is Fluid Films Thyxotic action (I think that's the term). The property of it spread out and penetrate where nav is more direct application.

 

Fluid film is actually pretty easy to remove. I had to remove it for some painting. Just use simple green and head to a car wash. Comes off just fine.

A couple months in I can say it does work pretty well. My painted bed rack is showing a little rust (to give a little background) and I've driven in our super salted roads in rain and snow. My frame is fluid filmed. I was installing my sliders last weekend and remembered a big scratch I got on the frame from a rock. About 1/4" wise and a few inches long. It was still nice and clean bare metal. No surface rust at all.

It does work but man is it disgusting. During that slider install I had to reach elbow deep in the front boxes section. I felt like those farmers you see on tv with the long glove and the back end of a cow. Not pleasant at all.

 

No shit-
I put the bed lights on last weekend and it was an awful experience.

Get your mods done first