Fluid Film application

I got 2 gallons of Fluid Film and the branded applicator. Planned on applying it this weekend but snow hit before I had the chance.

For those who have done it themselves what is the ideal temperature to apply it? Should I do any pretreatment to the underbody before the application? I know what the cans say. I'm looking for opinions from those who have done it. Thanks!

 

Rinse everything good underneath, especially the inside of the rear fenders which collect a lot of dirt. Let dry for a day or so. Spray away.

 

Scrape off any excess grim. Clean clean clean. Prep is key for the best application

 

X2 on this. Right under the lip of the fender, where the plastics meets snaps into the metal. The dirt that has collected and somewhat compacted gets wet for extended periods of time, this is where it rust begins in the fenders at least.

If you have a leaf blower that helps get the water out of some areas before you apply as well.

 

40 to 50 degree weather ideally but I’ve applied it when it was colder.
I boiled a large pot of water and dropped the gallon can in it to loosen it up. You don’t want it going through the gun like molasses.

 

I’ve been doing mine every year since new. Frame looks great no rust in heavy salt Midwest. I don’t worry about anything other than it being dry now. I don’t even really bother washing it before. Spray it down pretty good just before winter and don’t pressure wash under there and it will last the winter; at least in my experience. Stay away from exhaust as much as you can, but overspray will burn off pretty quick. It’ll smell funny for a bit. I do mine in the street with two wheels up on my curb for added space rather than making a slick spot in my driveway. It’s a natural product from sheep so not an environmental pollutant really. I wear a tyvec suit, gloves and some eye protection but mostly cause it’s a greasy mess to get off your skin, clothes.
Warm the fluid up first if it’s cool. It will get viscous when cold.

 

Just sprayed mine last week. It was 45/50 degrees. Had no problems. Power washed, let dry. Spray away. Went FF black this year.

 

I believe that stirring or shaking will loosen the product up and make it more fluid.

 

I got lucky and had a near 70 degree day about 2 weeks ago. I did my Woolwax then. But Im sure it would have been fine at 40-50. Now its 30ish. Kind of cold, but Id still try it if I hadnt already. I power washed underneath, but didnt go too overboard. Just let it dry for a few hours. My truck is only 3 months old so not that dirty. Just wanted to get off any built up grime which there wasnt any.
I know lots of folks say how messy it is, but I didnt think it was bad at all. Woolwax is a lil thicker though. Still not as bad as some would have you believe.

 

you can put the quart jugs for the sprayer in pan hot water, to preheat them, or next to a warming device (heat register). I have put them in the microwave with no ill results but, I didnt tell the mrs, and watch the jugs like a hawk while in the microwave to avoid damage, and a mess. I am not suggesting this, just sayin what I did. DO THIS AT YOUR OWN RISK!

having the product super warm, and shaken/stirred up really well, will thin it out so it sprays finer, and easier. unless you have a super dirty undercarriage, just spray away.

if you want to rinse it... get a power broom for your power/pressure washer. rinse away, let dry a bit, and spray on the ff.

if you think about it, the lanolin will act like a water displacement, so while you can wait for the truck to dry, you could probably spray on while damp. your results may vary. Ski

 

I have a hot pot that I picked up at a thrift store to heat the product. I heat the first batch while I'm getting things ready and then heat the next batch while I'm spraying the previous one.

Something like this:

$28 Proctor Silex 32oz Adjustable Temperature Hot Pot, Electric Kettle for Tea, Boiling Water, Cooking Ramen, Noodles and Soup, PFAS-Free Nonstick Coating, White (48507MN)

https://www.amazon.com/Proctor-Sile...=1668429725&s=kitchen&sr=1-3&ts_id=3117951011

 

I'll pressure wash the underside, drive around a week so it's dry, then pull up on some ramps on one side. I'll keep the fluid film inside overnight and put the container in a bucket of hot water an hour or so before using it. It takes time for the heat to transfer into the FF container. Every other year I'll use the smaller aerosol can and spray stuff under the hood, in the doors, and even remove the inner tailgate liner to spray inside the tailgate.

 

And lower the spare tire.

 

Does anyone know if the plastic frame plugs can be found in rubber? They are brittle and I cant see them lasting more than a few uses.