Underbody Rust Management
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From: mi
Underbody Rust Management
I've had my 2006 GX for a year in Michigan after buying it in South Carolina, pretty much rust free, 180K miles. My plan last winter was to not use it but my son talked me out of my daily driver for college so used it more than I had planned. It still is in good shape but am interested in doing what I can, short of black goopy materials, to inhibit rust. My thoughts were salt neutralizer washes or something "lighter". Has anyone used TC-11? Are there any good spray on neutralizers? Should I just bite the bullet and go goopy? Some additional background, I do very little off road but might do more as I get my rig in fighting form. I have the RCI skid plates (car had no skid plates when I bought it...) but have been holding off installation until I do the transmission (drop pan/replace filter/refill) and differential fluids. Do the skid plates change my approach? (i.e. treat undercarriage then install/treat skid plates) Any advice appreciated.
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Joined: Sep 2010
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From: Alberta
TC-11 is petroleum based the stuff is basically kerosene, not safe on anything rubber IMO. Have you ever seen a car treated with TC-11? Very little info out there on the product.
Constantly washing the underside of your truck in the winter is a perfect recipe for rust, it will never dry out properly. If you don't want to use Fluid Film or Surface Shield due to the "goop" aspect then I don't know of a way to slow down corrosion in the salt belt. Unless made out of stainless skid plates are rust magnets.
Constantly washing the underside of your truck in the winter is a perfect recipe for rust, it will never dry out properly. If you don't want to use Fluid Film or Surface Shield due to the "goop" aspect then I don't know of a way to slow down corrosion in the salt belt. Unless made out of stainless skid plates are rust magnets.
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Joined: Dec 2021
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From: Surrey
For the underside I use a product called ACF 50. It's a fairly thin oil like liquid that I spray on with a cheap pump type garden sprayer, and takes about 20-30 minutes to spray the underside. It's supposed to treat existing rust and stop new rust forming, as well as neutralise road salt, and seeps into cracks and crevices. As such, it also acts as a lubricant. In unexposed areas it'll last around year, but will eventually wash off exposed areas. I apply it annually, just before winter. It's quite popular with motorcyclists and those with off roaders like Land Rovers.
I do rinse the underside sometimes, if the roads have been salted, and use a cheap lawn sprinkler on the end of a hose.
Points to note: Lay down a plastic sheet before applying, as it will drip for a day or so, and make a mess, as it's quite thin. Also cover brakes before applying.
I do rinse the underside sometimes, if the roads have been salted, and use a cheap lawn sprinkler on the end of a hose.
Points to note: Lay down a plastic sheet before applying, as it will drip for a day or so, and make a mess, as it's quite thin. Also cover brakes before applying.
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Joined: Apr 2022
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From: mi
Hi,
Thanks for the reply. No, I have never seen a car treated with it. Just stumbled on it on the net and like you, couldn't find uch. Thought I'd see if any experience on this site. I'll definitely look for the flammability aspect. Thx.
Thanks for the reply. No, I have never seen a car treated with it. Just stumbled on it on the net and like you, couldn't find uch. Thought I'd see if any experience on this site. I'll definitely look for the flammability aspect. Thx.
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