Fluid Film

Saw all the discussion on here and went to a local O'Reillys and purchased a can then found it its Carmel color yuk, took the unopened can back. Now I see Menards has it for $8 can vs the nearly $12 at the other.

Well I found Amazon had 3 cans for $44 shipped and its black, still kind of pricey. Where is everyone else getting at a decent price?

 

https://www.kellsportproducts.com/ This place sells wool wax which is a little thicker than FF. I think TW will get a discount for a certain amount. Use “Tacoma “ for the discount code. I think it still works, you may need to buy a least $50 worth

 

The FluidFilm I bought At Lowe’s is Carmel color.

Unless you spray it on something light colored like stainless steel, it looks like any other penetrating oil. -“Wet”. (And yea I know it not a penetrating oil) I’ve had the same can for 2 years. I use it my lawn equipment. Mostly on my shear and pruner blades. It certainly has a distinct smell to it.

My Lowe’s currently sales it for $9.99

 

Fluid film is tan-buff colored when a thick coat is applied, mostly transparent with thin coatings. I have no idea what would be black. Are you saying it’s FF brand stuff, @wmgeorge?

 

Yup sold as Black in color to look like real Undercoating, Amazon carries and other places also. Do not want Carmel !!

$47 Fluid Film 11.75 Oz Undercoating Protection Aerosol Spray Can Black 3 Pack, Rust Inhibitor and Prevention, Anti Corrosion Multi Purpose Penetrant and Lubricant, Extension Wand

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08MQZDW1Y?ie=UTF8

 

The Most Important Question

is DIY 3-can kit with spray straw good enough
vs sprayguns w/ air compressor

 

Interesting. The way I use Fluid Film, on frame, sure, but also on the backsides of bumpers, inside door panels and hood panel leading edge, around fuel filler, even on tailgate panel mounting screws, I don’t think I’d want it to be black. The mostly colorless works better for me. Black seems like it would leave messy stains any time I bumped into it (Fluid Film is non-drying) and could hide the condition of what’s underneath (a problem with old school rubberized undercoatings).

But clearly Fluid Film think there’s a market for black.

 

Obviously we don't salt down here so I have no experience with this stuff but my friends from up north all seem to hate it and dealing with it. Wouldn't it be cheaper in the long run for you guys to either have bed liner thinned and sprayed on your frames or just use one of the do it yourself kits?

 

What’s to hate? It’s easy-peasy to spray the underside once a year or so.

Maybe the smell? It is kinda funky, but that’s gone in a day. The fact that it doesn’t harden is a plus-point for anyone who’s had undercoatings trap moisture against the frame and be possibly worse than nothing. FF re-flows a bit and if needed can be cleaned off.

 

Yes. Although 3 cans may not be enough. I used about 4.5 cans of Woolwax on my truck last year.

 

I have the spray gun set up as I end up doing about 5 of my family's vehicles.
To me ,it's a lot easier than messing around with cans and you always have enough product to go heavy in rust prone areas.

As far as color, not a factor. It all blends in and not noticeable.

 

The fact that you care what color something is that is going to be on the underside of your vehicle that you will rarely see kinda blows my mind. People are strange on here though so I guess I shouldn’t be surprised. Good luck finding the cheapest price.

 

I used 6 cans the first time I did my truck.
the extension wand thing is very usefull for getting into tight places.
Removing the bed rail caps is easy and allows for a good soaking of the bedsides.

 

FWIW - Advance Auto sells a gallon of FF that you can usually use a coupon and get it for around $36 black or neutral color. That will go a very long way if you have a sprayer. I’ve also seen and heard guys using a pressurized self contained sprayer from Harbor Freight. The Woolwax kit is also intriguing to me. Just haven’t pulled the trigger.

 

It all turns black anyway as it collects dirt and road grime.

 

The greasy tanish color goes away with time, these pics are 2 weeks apart.

 

First time I used fluid film I did 6 cans. Since then I do 3-4 cans. I do it every fall in October or November but definitely before the first snow. I live in the Midwest and we use a lot of salt. It stinks because of the lanolin but I don’t care because the pros outweigh the cons. I spray it on everything except my brakes and exhaust. I believe my pics speak for themselves.

 

Yea it works still , it’s lays down the product . I used it a few times , I still have a good coating on my underbody and it’s been a few years . It’s got a dirty “crust” but still can wipe it away (it hasn’t dried)


I was actually considering pressure washing and redoing with wool wax

 

Doing a hard coating is actually worse than not coating at all. Any chips will trap salt against the metal and accelerate corrosion. Self-healing films like FF, woolwax, and NHoil are the best protection out there

 

has anyone figured out what German cars use
Maybe 3M cavity wax
in my experience,
-only high heat over a long time makes it drip off
-it does a good job protecting corrosion
-it’s clear, thick, and dries. So it does not collect dirt, get you dirty, or make wrenching dirty

fluid film in theory is good. But in use,
-it doesn’t last that long
-it emits a lot of fumes and smells like piss
-it stays wet and collects dirt, so touching your truck for a short amount of time to do minor work on it means your whole arm turns black in about 5 seconds


I’d think if German brands, who are proud of their 12yr anti corrosion perforation warranties that actually work and don’t have as much problem with rust -
If they found Fluid Film good they’d be using it….