rust protection

[salyers890]

I know I've posted a bunch of replies and curious questions, but here's one that I just thought of that probably isn't necessarily a crucial point for most of us at this point (our trucks JUST came out). I've seen plenty of rust on jeeps out there, and living in chicago where we salt the streets more heavily than mother nature snows them, I'm worried about rust forming. I read here about a polymer protectant "Klasse" - does that help on the body more than the simple wash/wax job? What precautions have you fellas taken on your undercarriage?

Every time I change my oil I take my oily rag and wipe anything that's dirty, exposed, or just looks like it needs a good rub down (don't ask me to look at your wife while holding a dirty oil rag!!! ). That's about the prevention I've covered so far. I know rhinolining is available, but I odn't have a lift or the means to spray it on, and painting the bottom with a brush upside down seems like a TOTAL pain in the butt. I'm not rusting out yet, but any suggestions?



btw, on a side note - I'm not totally icompetent. I've mainly had my trade in classic british cars (I have a 76 MG midget now, but owned both a 72 and 73). I know the bugger back and forth, but I just want to get to know my new jeep that way without having to take it apart and put it back together a few times. And can someone give me some jeep karma one of these days, I'm not a THAT much of a newbie anymore (i.e. trading my factory sidesteps for a set of jeepermans')

[nfunlimited]

I thougt about bringing the Jeep to a garage to be sprayed for rust check. However, a friend with a Rubicon SWB said there are no plugs to remove to spray inside the body since there is only one sheet of metal, unlike most new cars. He has been buyin aerosol cans and applying it himself to all nuts and bolts, frame, etc.

That is what I am going to do shortly. It was also recommended to me to apply the Rust check during the warmer temperatures, so it can flow in between parts more easily.

Good luck!

[RubiRedLJ]

On my 2000TJ, it came from the factory with the "protective undercoating". It felt like truck bed liner, and I guess did the job.

The only place I really see rust on the TJ around here, is of course anywhere you've tagged something on the trail AND not addressed it with a sanding/priming/shot of rattlecan. (undercarriage/body/axles/aftermarket parts)

I didn't want that coating on my LJ. I like seeing the "bling" paint in my wheel wells. Now ask me in 2 years after I've used it & I might be singing a different tune.

for what's it worth, before I hit the trails, I usually give the frame/undercarriage a quick shot of WD40, and this usually helps the mud just fall off after being out. (not too mention it comes off alot easier at the pressure washer!)

Ryan

[ljpete]

Klasse and other polymer sealants are great for your paint but it would be really difficult to apply for your underside. I never had any under coating on my 92 YJ and 94 ZJ. I just used to wash the underside once a month in the snow months and it was fine. In the spring hit the spots that started to rust (frame and axles) with wire brush and a rattlecan.

Back on the sealants, I would definately use this over a wax considering the hardness and strength over a conventional wax. Wax typically will offer up to 3 or so months of protection (six if you keep it up with spot detailer). Sealants can last up to a year (typically 8 months is a good safe bet on a daily driver). That being said if you want to apply a sealant you want to do the prep work like clay bar and a quick polish.

I used almost exclusively meguiar's on my 92 and had good results with it but it was back breaking work (doing 3 step system). I would get trail pinstriping but could buff it right out. Klass on the other hand was down right easy to do comparitively.

Hope this helps,

Pete

[2hi2cme]

i have i 2004 unlimited.When i purchased mine i ask to put undercoating in with the deal, they sprayed inside the doors,and under the fenders,the under body,where ever they could spray they sprayed.
its like the dura liner kind of stuff it gets really hard as it bond to the metal.my hole under carriage is coated wit this stuff.my salesman said he put it on his PT cruiser and he hasn't see it peel or chip in 2 years.and it still and on the body.doesn't peel or chip very durable stuff, i shouldn't see any brown rust spot for awhile,i have it sprayed every ware,tie rods,axles,springs,shocks
every where under the body
Up here northern New Brunswick Canada we need that kind of protection.In the winter month we get lots of snow and tons of salt on the roads..............
i think it's a very good investment.
and for the paint that another story.

[nfunlimited]

I actually decided to have my Unliited rustproofed. I chose "Krown". I am going to get it done every year. It was $100, but it would have cost me close to $50 in cans of rust check, and I never would have been able to ge in all the places they could.

So far I do not even have a sign of any rust, and they have been salting the roads here for over 3 months. I drive 80kms a day on the highway where the slat flicks up everywhere, and so far so good.

Jamie

[brigantine]

I'm torn on the rust protection issue.

My father claimed that there would always be rust issues under the rust protection that we couldn't see, unless it was applied at the factory.

He never had it done, but living in WI where Salt rules the winter, he came home from his 90 mile round trip commute and washed his car in the garage, every night. Every single car he ever owned looked like new after 12 WI winters and 250,000 miles.

I just sold my 88 toyota P.U. With 210,000 miles it had a rusted out cross beam I could stick my hand through. This, after being rust-proofed.

On the other hand, I'm not so compulsive about rust that I'm interested in spending my evenings washing my car, between horiffic commutes. It's a car, I drive it.

cheers.

[bossind]

I rock guarded the whole underneath of mine, cut down on the road noise big time, and gave it a nice texture finish and than used a pro lab rust protector over that.

[nfunlimited]

Something to consider is if the rust protection hardens or not.

If it does, it could trap moisture underneath. If not, then the oily surface keeps moisture out, since there is no space etween the metal and the oil.

Jamie

[jjohanski]

I am under the impression that the entire body of Jeep Wrangler is galvanized. Can anyone veryfy this. If so, the galvanization should protect the metal unless it is scratched.