Charleston, SC

You know what's ironic, is that I was just watching around 3 videos about applying fluid film and was just building a mental checklist on stuff that I would need to make application easier. I moved here from Texas so i was away from the salt for most of my trucks lifetime and now that I'm back again so close to the ocean I do worry about a bit of body rust. Yes, I know it's not nearly as bad as the northern states that use salt on everything but I still worry.

-J

 

This was driving down the street. That's how I knew it had massive bodyroll.

 

I agree. Basaically you just need a paint sprayer and a flexible extension hose. From the sound of others' experience I think it best to devote a specific sprayer to fluidfilm, then buy the stuff by the bucket.

 

Listing said runs and drives so doesn’t surprise me that you saw it on the road. Maybe it was the new owner...

 

@OldYota locals here...

 

From what I've seen is that there's like 2 application methods that you can get from FF. There's the rattle can nozzle attachment extension hose with the 270 degree spray and there's the more professional looking HVLP can that I believe uses compressed air at 45 to 90 psig. I have been making a checklist of reasons that I need a compressor and this just adds one more tick on the list. Air tools, HVLP sprayers for small woodworking projects and now making application of FF easier? It's a hard bargain not to get an air compressor now. Black Friday can't get here soon enough. Now all I have to do is convince the wife. My only downside to applying FF myself is lifting the truck high enough off the ground to comfortably scoot around underneath on a creeper. I'd have to treat it like a paint barn and go all out with the white painters coveralls and throwaway goggles with the 3M dust mask and cover everything in plastic like I'm an extra on the set of Dexter, but it doesn't seem like such a bad time especially once the weather starts to cool off. Coveralls and the SC humidity sucks donkey schlong. Ugh, I'm dreading the amount of prep work that I'd have to do to the truck. De-armor everything, wire brush and treat all the surface rust. Rattle can all the things with like umpteen cans of spray juice then finally FF all the things. Not to mention the body plugs that would need to be removed and excess holes drilled into frame members. Gotta treat everything with all the filmy goodness. And not to mention, I'd need a creeper.

-J

 

@ST3VE

 

Yeah that pretty much jibes with my experience. One thing to note, if you use the rattlecans with the extension nozzle, the cans go QUICK. While it is certainly more expensive to gear up for the fullsize sprayer, compressor, etc, most of the gear is usable for other tasks. Honestly, as long as you are fastidious with the cleanup, even the sprayer can be used for other stuff, from automotive pursuits to painting things around the house.

Either way, it's GOING to be a messy project. One other thing to note- if you plan on doing ANY welding on the frame, you either need to hold off on the FF treatment, or be super thorough with cleaning it off before welding. the MSDS and the info on FF's site say you must clean a foot or so beyond any weldment area, else you have a concern about the entire FF surface flashing off and catching fire- this could quite realistically burn the vehicle to the ground. So I won't be doing FF any time soon, as I intend to reinforce the frame from the A-pillar aft around the turn of the year (I'll be driving the truck sans bed for a while), even though my frame appears to be just fine. I got a smoking deal on this truck, it has an intact frame, and I intend to keep it that way. At the same time, I will be going SAS by 2021, so want to reinforce everything (I will do the A-pillar forward when I do SAS, as I will have to cut off the IFS mounts to get the reinforcement to fit).

 

Beautiful weather down here...

 

New member here from Summerville!

 

Looks nice, but ditch those LED headlights- they are glare-city.

 

Welcome

 

Welcome!

 

Who do you guys recommend in the Charleston area for tire mounting/balancing and 4 wheel alignments? Looking for quality work, thx!!

 

Southern Tire off of Trolley Rd. in Summerville is who I use. I'd say their prices are reasonable and they do good work.

 

Thanks man!

 

I've never had good luck letting other folks do my alignment, always do my own (granted, a solid axle is a lot easier to align). I will have to check these guys out.

 

Probably late to the game here. But I had great luck with the Firestone in MtP a few months ago with buying and mounting new tires.