Rust prevention

Any suggestions for general frame rust prevention? Aftermarket rear diff covers that are popular?

 

No diff covers on these trucks. That’s American stuff.

 

Appreciate replies. Re: fluid film - useful if a little surface rust already developing. Thank you both.

 

Live in Arizona.

 

There is a marine version of Fluid Film that is rather thick. I wonder if anyone has tried it.

https://www.fluid-film.com/products/liquid-ar/

 

I liberally sprayed my frame and the inside of my sliders with Fluid Film before I bolted them on my truck. Hopefully when I pull them off in a year or two to repaint, there will be no rust on the frame.

 

I only use Fluid film on areas that get heavy direct water spray (rear springs, front control arms, front of the differential).

It works good but is messy, and really collects dirt. Smells bad for a couple days afterwards and really stink up the place when you get it on your exhaust.

I use ACF-50 everywhere else (except brake rotors and inside rear drums and interior) and by everywhere I mean in the engine compartment, on the outside of the exhaust and every nook and cranny gets a light fog of ACF-50. It does collect a light dust film but nothing like what Fluid film builds up, and heavy crap does not seem to stick to it so it keeps your underside and engine bay a little cleaner looking. It works great on Aluminum as well as steel. It's safe on paint and electrical and rubber. It was first used in the Aviation industry.

But like any product with a hydrocarbon carrier, keep them all away from your weatherstripping (rubber covered foam), like around your door.

Another product that works as good as ACF-50 is Formula 3000, what I don't like about it is it leaves a white film that will run.

ACF-50 and 3000 use chemical as well as barrier protection to prevent oxidation. They work the best, except as mentioned again below.
Fluid Film is mostly Lanolin, oil from sheep wool and is mostly a barrier. But will take direct water spray the best.

Combining Fluid Film and ACF-50 or 3000 is the ultimate system.

But using just one of any of those 3 and you will have a corrosion free vehicle if properly applied.

I live in the rustbelt, they put so much salt on our roads my black truck is pure grey/white in a 2 mile road trip.

It's due for it's fall fogging, but last weekend when I looked underneath there was a lot less visible corrosion than what I see on new trucks on the lot. and mine is a '17.

 

I use wire wheel or hand steel brush to remove the rust, ospho liquid, Rustoluem primer, Eastwood black chases paint and then Amsoil heavy duty metal protector. I find Amsoil doesn't wash away like fluid film.Eastwood also makes an internal frame protector highly recommended. My .02 c.

Rust never sleeps

 

I have used fluid film every year before winter. There is a new product out now called Woolwax that is the same thing as fluid film but doesn't have the smell and it comes in black. I will be switching over once my current product is used up.

 

Fluid film works great, but I does smell like sour ass. Wish there was someone local to me that I could pay to apply it. I hate doing it myself.