To Undercoat or Not

[fletch]

Oil works well for this. Datsun Z cars had rust problems and people used light oil in wheel wells to keep them from rusting. I use something called
T9 for my boat motor and trailer. Its like spray on oil that dries like a wax.

[Jwitz]

living in the coastal south east, ie beaufort, sc, I though it would be a very smart investment to get the undercoating, seeing as just leaving anything metal will rust in a day... so far it's paid off and made cleaning the mud off my truck a bit easier...

[thombiz]

Fletch, where do you get the T9? Marine stores? One of the potential problem areas on my truck is the corners of the windshield. When salt spray collects on the windshield, I hit the window wash button to clean it off, but all that does is collect the salt at the corners off the windshield. Sounds like the T9 would work in the seams where you can't get the undercoating.

[fletch]

Bob,

Boat US and West marine should both have it. Its about 9.00 a can but well worth it. It will leave a waxy residue. It's made by boeing aircraft.
HTH's, Fletch

[bigruffa]

I've been debating this for quite some time now...there is a Ziebart within 30 miles of my home. To do the full job, including wheel wells, underbody, frame etc. etc the price is around 400. An extra 50 gets you a pre rust removal process. Which then makes you think, what do they do when you don't have the rust removal process done? Probably they spray over the rust...you do the math - not good. So, anyways for around 450 its covered.

The dealer says don't do it, they will clog drag holes which are designed to keep moisture out. This makes sense to me.

So in order for 450 to make any sense to me, the job has to be done well, and any drain hole has to be prevented from being jammed. Considering the level of incompetence I experience from almost any place I deal with service done to an auto or motorcycle (or most things for that matter)...I find this new undercoating idea to be a daunting task - simply because I have no idea who is doing the job.

My thoughts or conclusion...I'm going to purchase the materials for the 3 step process from POR-15. Clean the metal, prep the metal, and then paint with POR-15. When I spot RUST (already do on the axles) I'm going to use POR-15. I figure 2 times a year...I'll get underneat, do an inspection, spend a few hours treating areas. A little here, a little there, try to keep up with it. I can buy alot of POR-15 for 450 dollars....

And if in a few years my process is failing...go to Ziebart and spend the 450.