Hows fluid film do in winter?

Hey guys! Just moved up north and never had to undercoat my truck (or any car for that matter). I have always used fluid film on all my boats and jetskis in the saltwater and it works wonders! I ended up getting a gallon and sprayed it all over the underside of my truck today. How has your guys experienced been with it lasting and more importantly protecting from rust up north? Thanks!

 

I have never heard anybody say anything but good things about it, other than it's a mess, and smells like a gutted sperm whale.

I would make sure you really get inside those square holes by the catalytic converters. That's the money spot. That's where all the frames fail. Salty water getting caught between the two sandwiched layers of steel.

 

I've used the product for years and am totally sold on it - if you use it for the right application. For instance, if you want to protect an area that gets blasted with road spray, it's not going to work. (It will get blasted off.) If however you use it to prevent corrosion in somewhat protected areas, it does a great job. And you will probably have to re-apply it periodically if you pressure wash the area you apply it.

For areas that do get blasted with road spray, you're better off with a well applied undercoating product. (Unlike Ziebart based on personal experience.)

 

I sprayed the frame very well, hopefully it will last! Dont like rubber style undercoat since it traps water under it if any somehow where to get in. Maybe ill just need to check it a few times in low spots through winter and hit it with a spray can to touch it up

 

Biggest thing is keeping it off shocks and exhaust, otherwise works good.

 

Been using it since the truck was new and no signs of rust. Do it well once a year and you should be good. We do a Sept FF meet here in CT every year

 

Here's a hint...take the plastic off the inside of your tailgate and spray the inside of the gate. That's a typical spot for rust to start. And hit under the bed with the spare tire off

 

Why keep it off the shocks? I blast mine with it and have no issues.

 

I'm not a big fan of fluid film due to it's greasy feeling and it's tendency to attract dirt and dust. This is what I use:

Mavcoat Steel Shield Industrial Grade Corrosion Protection, 13 oz. (3 Cans)

https://www.amazon.com/Mavcoat-Steel-Shield-Industrial-Protection/dp/B00S57N0UC It dries clear and is waxy to the touch. I'll never go back to FF. Lots of trophy truck teams use it on their trucks Last about a good year.

 

I sprayed on my coilovers and the rest of the frame and suspension

 

I've been looking for an alternative to FF ever since I put it on my frame. This stuff sounds promising...

FF is a fucking mess, and it does attract all the shit on the road most people would want to keep off their frame, and suspension components. On FF's website regarding shit sticking to the coating, it says there will be "An initial dusting after application". That's putting it mildly, I have small stones stuck to my truck in places. As far as I can tell, it's not causing any issues, it's just a mess.

You have any pics of your frame with this stuff applied? Particularly the front suspension area. This is where most of the shit builds up on mine.

 

You can't see it when it dries because like I said earlier it dries clear. It has a small waxy feel to it...that's it!

 

I'll go through this winter with the FF that's on there now, and will pick some of this stuff next sping/summer.

I can't imagine it can smell any worse than FF. My son didn't want to ride in the truck for two weeks after the FF was applied. I didn't blame him, I didn't either. It is some nasty shit.

 

How many cans required to do the underside?

 

If it dries within minutes is it going to get into every nook and crevice like FF? It's also double the can cost of FF.

Personally I'm a little biased toward FF.

 

Third option: I use Amsoil HD metal protector. 3 cans is enough for the truck and dries to a waxy coating. I adapted an extension hose that I bought from Eastwood to get inside of the frame.

Any of these is better than nothing.

 

If you know how to spray a can it should should go into the nook and crevices. Doesn't take a genius to use this

I used the FF and thought it was crappy and messy. Ends up attracting dirt, dust, and anything else the truck can catch. F $ck that!

If you enjoy collecting extra stuff on your frame and suspension then by all means use FF. I found a better alternative product. Sure it cost more but it's worth it. Just like some people prefer King over Bilstein 5100s it not for everyone.

 

Sure FF attracts dirt and dust but it really works good. It can only collect so much grime before it starts to ware off and it's time to do it again. So there's a limit on how much grime can even survive. It's not like it gets caked on a 1/4 of an inch or something. It's just like a black film. Which isn't an issue compared to rust.

 

I really want to try some of the Amsoil HDMP. Sucks I can’t get it locally. I like the reviews on it, especially that it cures as a drier finish.

Mavcoat looks nice, but all the product info just says it lasts *up to 6 mo (I’m sure +/- dependent on conditions). That sucks based on the cost. Looks like a solid product otherwise. But I’m guessing FF lasts roughly the same.

I’ve currently got Corrosion X HD on my frame, as it was available locally. It’s held up great. I think it’s been almost 10 months since I put it on. It went on wet and bubbly and dried to a greasy finish. It has picked up a lot of dust and grime though, probably like FF does but I’ve never used FF. Usually a good hosing down gets all the crap off. And less and less sticks to it now, but the coat is still there if I test a spot with a finger swipe.

Bear in mind I live in Georgia so this is just extra protection for me. We don’t get salted roads down here very often in my part of the state.

 

What ever product one uses, you should check the data sheet on the product and make sure it doesn't contain petroleum type additives. Those additives can shorten the life of anything made of rubber.
FF is lanolin based.