Corrosion Avoidance

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Plati

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Last year I started comparing the rust on my 2003 vs 2014 Expy. Obviously the 2003 was a mess and the 2014 wasn't yet. The 2003 rocker panels were shot, wheel wells were going, spare tire was a joke, and I already had replaced brake lines to the rear, etc. I could see they made some improvements to the plastic splash guards in the 2014 wheel wells and some other misc areas. I decided I wanted to do something preemptively with the 2014 to extend its life in the WNY rust prone environment.

In the spring I flushed out the inside of my rocker panels, diligently hosed out under all trim, and spent time laying under truck hosing off the underbody to get rid of all dirt and salt remaining from winter. I took off spare tire ... rust converted the steel rim & cleaned under it. Applied grease to that cable and T.

Also in the spring I got the Krown treatment and was pleased. Sure looked great after that! I also got a couple cans of Liquid Wrench corrosion inhibitor for extra spot treatment (and even slathered some grease in some locations). Those products were very thin and ran down and off onto driveway easily, but left a coating.

This fall (just finished) ... it looks like the exposed areas underneath where road water blasts had removed a lot of the Krown? I'm sure its still there inside body panels & engine compartment etc in areas that aren't pressure washed while driving. I made custom plugs and sealed all the holes in the rocker panels (but first layed down more spray inside there). It can still drip out in the bottom drip holes. I bought 4 cans of Fluid Film and sprayed that in many locations underbody and a few in engine compartment (like brake lines, shock towers, fasteners). That stuff is thick and does not drip.

I also installed mud flaps. I think I did what I can. It wont eliminate rust but will slow it down and some of the metal lines I hit will preserve them I'm sure. I'm optimistic about plugging up the rocker panels. Time will tell. I plan to do Krown again next spring after another good hosing underneath. I like the Krown but it seems really thin so I'm hoping the Fluid Film is more durable.

There are tons of products. Some people swear by Waxoil. I think I would like to try that cold galvanizing spray.

https://www.google.com/search?q=aut...vNHeAhWzooMKHTC_BuUQ_AUIEigB&biw=1112&bih=557
 

reelized

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I bought the fluid film kit to do mine. It comes with a spray gun and different tips and extensions. There is an extension that can be placed inside the frame to coat it. It has a 360 spray pattern to get all sides in the frame. There are a couple companies around here that will clean the frame and do the fluid film.
 
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