Truck newbie question: Rust on frame

[DirkM]

Appologies if this has been asked already but I was wondering what you all do about rust on the frame. I'm more a car person and there, any kind of rust is bad (with the exception of rotors and such).

Our Ranger is now two years old and after 2 Chicago winters and a good detail last weekend I found some rust on the frame. Do you just sand/brush is off and then prime/paint? If so, what paint (to match the rest of the frame)?

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[AdamHarris]

Fact is you live in an area that is absolute Murder on vehicles. I've seen 4 yr old Silverado's and such with body paint bubbling down low from areas like yours. All you can do is get some sand paper and a good can of black enamel paint and spend a few hours a couple times a year up under the truck and 'try" to keep it under control.

those crash bars could actually be removed and painted better and they might last a long time. If you don't do something to them they will be total crust by this time next year.

 

[JeffWoodall]

Fact is you live in an area that is absolute Murder on vehicles. I've seen 4 yr old Silverado's and such with body paint bubbling down low from areas like yours. All you can do is get some sand paper and a good can of black enamel paint and spend a few hours a couple times a year up under the truck and 'try" to keep it under control.

those crash bars could actually be removed and painted better and they might last a long time. If you don't do something to them they will be total crust by this time next year.

I put a copper brush wheel on my driver and get all of the rust off, spray primer on the area, and paint with flat black quality paint. Normally can't even tell it's not factory. I actually get under my vehicle and inspect it once every 6 months or so.

 

[driverdenali]

Highly recommend fluid film or a rust inhibitor, sanding and painting is okay, but rust will still form under the paint if it’s anything deeper than surface and now you can’t see it.

 

[AdamHarris]

Highly recommend fluid film or a rust inhibitor, sanding and painting is okay, but rust will still form under the paint if it’s anything deeper than surface and now you can’t see it.

Yep all true. However, the way I see it rust is like an ex wife; she might exist but as long as you don't see her life is good ha ha!

 

[Ames]

I live in Iowa so we have similar weather. I got this Woolwax kit last fall and it's held up really well. It doesn't stink like Fluid Film, it's non-toxic, and it's not petroleum-based. I just put a decent coat on any metal parts on the underside of the truck (minus the brakes) and also used the optional 18" wand to spray inside the frame. I bought the Ranger new last summer so this was the first winter driving it's seen. Based on my experience, I'd definitely recommend it to anyone.

 

[Scooter]

In future Winters. Try to find a place to wash the salt off on the undercarriage a few times in the Season.

 

[DirkM]

Thanks for all the tips, I guess there will be a few busy weekends coming up.

 

[Scooter]

I have a 2011 Ranger. Wish to purchase a 6G. I climbed under the Ranger this Spring. Knew there was some rust forming. The WET COAST.
I take the truck up to the local Mnt's in the Winter.
So, I wire brushed the rust spots and sprayed it with a flat rust paint. Not incasing the Rust.
The common spot's are, Seams and the Rad support.

Dirk, if you can see Rust on those accessible areas it will be Rusty on the Under Carriage.
A lot of the undercarriage landscape is inaccessible. With a hose you can wash around those areas.

I was wondering what members feelings are with getting a brand new truck and having it coated underneath. Most thoughts are that its not a good process. The rust get's under it and then you cannot see the rust. Would Rino Coating work ?

 

[mtbikernate]

I've honestly never bothered outside of running through a car wash a couple times per season, and I grew up in the midwest with all the road salt. Yes, it's hell on vehicles.

I once bought a vehicle in Pittsburgh, drove it there a year or so, then moved to TX. My mechanic in TX seriously panicked the first time he saw the rust. I ended up driving that car for 12yrs and the rust was never actually a problem (I moved back to the midwest after a few years in TX, so it got right back into the salty winter conditions).

 

[AdamHarris]

People who live in those climates have tried everything and spent millions trying to keep chassis' from rusting. That's why I love living in the south.

Yes those who crawl up under there and actually do SOMETHING a couple times a year will keep their frame clear of rust for longer than those that don't.

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