undercoating

[ExpoJo]

Suggestions on undercoating? What works well? Process? Product?

 

[Big White]

The only thing that works well imho, is the oil type like rust cop. Requires yearly application. Any type that "cures" will eventually crack, and then it makes things worse by holding salt to the metal.

 

[splintrcel]

Off road guys always coat there trucks completely in bed liner. Some work better then others. Its prob your best bet.

 

[tonydiv]

Bedliner works great, but it is all in the prep. You need to have a clean surface with any rust treated with a rust converter.

 

[Big White]

I suppose that would work if you were not in a corrosive salty area. If you are, it will eventually develop cracks, and then accelerate the corrosion process. Oil rocks for preventive measures. Just have to keep it wet.

CP-90 - Rust Control Product for Cars, Trucks and Vehicles

 

[splintrcel]

Which rust converter works the best. I want to instal an undercoating but I want to make it last

 

[Big White]

Rust convertors are tannic acid.

"When it comes to rust, the best approach is one of prevention rather than treatment. There are many different methods to preventing rust that can be quite effective, but once rust has become a problem, it can be very difficult if not impossible to fully remedy the problem."

How Does a Rust Converter Work? - Autos.com

Point being, rust convertors are really not going to help unless it is EXTREMELY superficial rust. If you are serious about corrosion control, you really can not do better than keeping a coat of oil specifically designed for the job.

 

[tonydiv]

Again, prep is the key. You need to wire brush, sand, scrape, away all loose or heavy rust before treating it with converter. The converter is just one step in the process. Don't get me wrong, the prep process is a laborious, tedious pain in the ass to do correctly. That is why so few people get long lasting results from an undercoat job.

Have no fear about using a spray can product like duplicolor bedliner coating. The stuff is very rubbery, it never completely cures and it will never crack. It is also tough as nails. I've had it lining a wheelbarrow and a trailer for a garden tractor for years and it still looks like new.

If you aren't willing to do the required prep work, then you are probably best off using an oily product that gets reapplied often.