My 02 LC spend several years in Michigan and although I saved her from further deterioration, I like to treat her but not to have undercoating paints or materials. Any recommendations as I search for this kind of services the closest shop is in Utah or Colorado. Thanks!
Can you do it yourself or is that not an option? It’s about $150 in materials and a days worth of work (couple hours if you’re not removing wheels or getting super crazy with really thorough coverage).
I suppose ! Just that I saw video that it can be messy and shop doing it in the Midwest got it down pretty good. I’ve done my own lub on the u joints, couplings, front rotors so I suppose I can do it myself. Just put some cardboards and plastic sheets so won’t get yelled at from messy up the driveway lol. After breaking some hardwares from changing the sway bars bushings. It just dawned on me that it won’t hurt if the undercarriage got some protection to slow the rust. Especially those thin cavities inside the frame as seldom rain here in S Cal so while the East coast does it annually, you think this DIY would last three years anyway would be better than nothing. I haven’t seen the rust deteriorating any further but I understand rust never sleeps. Thanks for the tip, btw where would you order this stuff?
You can do it yourself if you have an air compressor. I just did it a couple of months ago - bought THIS kit from Woolwax, drove it up on ramps, crawled underneath with an N95 mask, googles, and some clothes I didn't mind getting messy and I had at it. Took about an hour to coat everything (body + frame). I didn't bother wrapping exhaust so I inevitably got a bit of overspray on exhaust so for a couple of days the car smelled like hot sheep, but that was the only side effect. I did drop the spare tire to get the body & components above it - it only takes a few minutes and is worth it to ensure full coverage IMO.
Even if you don't have a compressor you can technically still do the job yourself - it's just gonna be a whole lot of rattle cans of Woolwax/fluid film/surface shield (they're all the same TBH... it's just lanolin). If you plan to do it yearly (their instructions say recoat every 1-2 years) it's worth buying the compressor to spray it in bulk.
Yes, I got a small 10 gallons compressor… this appears thicker than fluid film so that may be even better since it may stay on the frame longer. Good point on the spare tire cavity, I recently got a flat on the freeway and AAA flatbed it to Costco for safety reason. Upon ordering a new Michelin, they could not remove the spare tire and have to cut the cable as the whole assembly just rusted. This stuff or fluid film should really protect the area for ( often neglected ) for years to come. Thank you!
I use cans and the aftermarket tips that have a thin wand attached for inserting in every crevice that is unreachable by spray and the wands do not require drilling. The wand with the brass tip is best. You may need a spray paint can adapter depending on if the tip is an inny or an outty. The different brands are different... The tip for best action of any of these products is to preheat them in warm water, or, I have a bucket heater for the gallons. Ive used cans for every year but this one. I finally borrowed a compressor to use the pro kit I bought years ago. It worked very well but does not have attachments that fit in the doors and hatch (without drilling) and I apply inside there every other year. I heated it to about 200 degrees (do this safely and not just in an oven or with a closed top as it will smoke) and it was a very nice application experience.
For inside crevices, use the lanolin products but for the frame you might consider a wax style coating that is a bit less messy.
FWIW I use fluid film. Ive used surface shield as well. All are as advertised and reviewed. I spray every year and clean it in the spring so I dont prefer something heavy, or with dye. The 06 I have is a beautiful rust free example and shall stay that way
! Just that I saw video that it can be messy and shop doing it in the Midwest got it down pretty good. I’ve done my own lub on the u joints, couplings, front rotors so I suppose I can do it myself. Just put some cardboards and plastic sheets so won’t get yelled at from messy up the driveway lol. After breaking some hardwares from changing the sway bars bushings. It just dawned on me that it won’t hurt if the undercarriage got some protection to slow the rust. Especially those thin cavities inside the frame as seldom rain here in S Cal so while the East coast does it annually, you think this DIY would last three years anyway would be better than nothing. I haven’t seen the rust deteriorating any further but I understand rust never sleeps. Thanks for the tip, btw where would you order this stuff?
