Fluid film undercoating

Freak’n vegan trucks!!!!

 

I'm up in Maine- we fluid film all of our vehicles every year.

it's a huge pain in the ass, and it's VERY messy.

However, the '99 tacoma I brought up here 8 years ago has a frame that looks factory new, even when compared to new chevy/ford/dodge trucks purchased new less than five years ago.

There are places that offer the service of doing it for you, but I've yet to try one since we have a fleet of 10+ in the family and just make a week of it every year.

I don't think there's any trick to it- you're basically just lubing up the steel so it can repel the calcium chloride they spray on the roads. I will say the vehicles that see a lot of highway miles through the winter do still rust up in the front, eventually this stuff just washes off.... or retreats. You can see the road dirt creeping up in a black film on all of our vehicles. Some combination of fluidfilm, brake dust, and road tire rubber.

 

The thing about the lanolin, though, is that if you don't do a LOT of mechanic-type work, your skin might not be all flakey and screwed up.
A hard days work under a car usually means dry angry skin... but a day of fluidfilm has your knuckles and knees feeling more like your belly and pits.
This stuff is great for your skin, it's weird.

 

I've been doing FF my self for the last few years since the frame swap. IMO as a DIY option its great and very inexpensive. If I was going to pay someone I'd look around at other options. I don't mind that it wears off because I see and wipe off an area, and treat any rust that happens to develop.
I would wire brush and paint some of that surface rust on your frame with rust reformer.

 

I use Pennzoil synthetic, which I believe is a hydrocracked oil (versus full synth like Mobil), so I don't think it would qualify as vegan if I used NHOU. Maybe vegetarian...

 

Lanolin is an ingredient in most hand/body lotions.

 

I think that was the point I was making-
Spend a week inside a transmission shop and your skin feels like a brillo pad, spend a week doing fluidfilm for a fleet and you feel like the Michelin mans ass.
Describing it doesn't make it less weird.

 

You're on the right track, all these options are good. We used to use LPS 2 in refineries on machine parts also (Lanoline).

 

Im going with Cosmoline RP-342 as it dries to a waxy surface instead of fluid film always staying wet.

 

I use Fluid Film on the frame and Boeshield T-9 on the suspension (less greasy than FF/clear color, and doesn't attract dirt/dust as much.)
My 2007 15 years later (new suspension's been on for about 9 months.)

 

that's impressive!!!

 

Yes, wow! Impressive.

 

Disclaimer... truck only has 33,550 miles, i live in a desert environment, and I get under the truck once a year and do a through cleaning.

 

I have tried CRC Heavy Duty Corrosion Inhibitor in spots, and like Cosmo et al, dries to a wax like surface that seems to hold up well and doesn't wash off.

$39 CRC 06026 Heavy Duty Corrosion Inhibitor, 10 Wt Oz - 4 PACK

https://amazon.com/gp/product/B07N1VXTVW?ie=UTF8

 

I think I may give this a shot this year on my fresh 2013 Arizona transplant to MN. I've used FF in the past, but the smell really bothers me. I don't know what it is, but it's right up there with gear oil.

 

what type of cleaning do you do/what products? I live in the snow belt in Ohio and the salt is bad

 

I live in the great white north, land of salted roads and potholes...Woolwax seems to be the best so far. Doesnt wash off as easily as Fluid Film, and if you get it applied drive down a dusty dirt road and youll be set for winter! I have mine done very year. Theres a place here that will even do it 3 times a year for a set price.

 

I buy a hand cleaner thats lanolin based. I wash my hands before working on cars with it and after and my hands are like they never touched a greasy wrench.

 

Haven't done any undercoating here in MA (aside from the dealer CRC, so I'm eligible for the extended warranty). If I do it this year, I'll definitely be looking for a local group undercoating day this Fall. I've seen posts about them in the past.

 

There's like 4 members in our area doing it this year... if you like your truck I would coat it every year.