I've read about numerous treatments that can be applied, search and you'll see them. For really harsh environments there're company's that spray inside panels. There is also numerous DIY sprays. Just get down on one knee and wash is number one TLC.
Consider what your brother looks at. They are vehicles owners pay someone else to care for. Those that do their own work tend to wash after every storm, as soon as temp is above 32deg. Whereas in places like the NW, one may need to use extra TLC, there is no good reason for the amount of rust I'm seeing. It just ignorance for those not schooled and neglect for those that are aware.
First question I ask when looking at potential purchase "is there any rust". I'm getting a little pissed at be told no rust or just a little surface rust. People rust is rust, holes metal and bolt rusted over is not surface rust. I guess some seller are unaware of the underside rust, others figure its like fishing, just keep casting BS sooner or later some fish will bit. Rusty vehicles are parts car at best IMHO.
Yes, I agree. I am in the high end detail business myself. I'm the most OCD person I know. Some of our details climb into the thousands because of the work we do and the types of cars we work on. I know all about neglect and carelessness. Some of the nicest and most expensive cars in the world come to us in horrible shape, but some people consider acceptable and think it just needs a "quick detail" until you give them a reality check about the cost and time required to restore the paint and other surfaces of their car.
Underbody is something completely new to me. Most of the details we do are on high end and exotic cars (can barely fit a jack under some of them they are so low). None of those vehicles are ever winter driven, stored most of the time so rust and rust-prevention is not an issue for us, nor a service we provide or have any knowledge of.
Now that we picked up an LX that was mainly stored during winters (previous owner had second house in California and left his vehicles garaged most of the winter here in the midwest), I am looking at different ideas on how to protect the underbody as the LX will definitely see some winter driving.
So far, we have found a few solutions, but have yet to try any of them out.
This is the first one:
BE 16" Undercar Vehicle Cleaning Water Broom | BE 85.400.062
It's an attachment for a pressure washer to clean the underside of a vehicle. I guess putting it up on a lift and really going at it is the most ideal approach, but this is something that looks like it would be a quick and painless way to do routine washing after heavy snow storm, mud, etc.
The other product that I have come across, and might be familiar to many people here (I've never heard of it before or ever looked into it for the reasons stated above) is called Fluid Film. It's a clear coating that you can safely apply on virtually any component under the vehicle, door hinges, etc. (I'd mask off the exhaust system). What's nice about it is you can wash it off if you ever need to service any parts because there is no permanent bond. You can apply it even if you already have some rust, it won't hurt anything and will at a minimum slow down the growth of the rust.
Definitely looking forward to trying these products as well as anything else I come across. Still looking around for more ideas. If anyone has positive experiences to share about what works, I would really appreciate it and I am sure others will too. These are amazing trucks, let's protect them.
