canadian winter preparations

[mudjunky]

I think thread i am going to do a write up with photos of what I do to prepare for Canadian nasty salty winters.
Here is what I have done every year to insure my vehicles under body always look brand new

Items needed
Pressure washer
Drive up ramps
Face shield
Rain suit optional
Box of black rust paint (princess auto special 6 cans)
Break cleaner /degreaser


Here is were I start find a nice spot in your drive way drive front of truck up
On ramps pressure wash and break clean / degreaser the hole under body front to back
Let dryer over night
First thing in the morning grease all nipples under the truck
Insure under body is bone dry or this will not work at all
Start from the front to the back and paint the under body of the truck with rust paint let dry repeat and till you have a nice even coat

Caution insure you are in well vented area with no wind went doing this or you will even up with over spray all over you truck

A this point most people will say this is sufficient but I also go one corner at a time and remove the wheel and get everything you cant get from under side

the hole point of this process which I repeat every year is that the rust paint I purchase is oil based the theory behind this is the oil soaks into the metal preventing rust and gets sealed cuz of the paint

Pardon my grammar

 

[toofart]

I do something similar to my wife's car, but I use 3M or duplicolor rubberized undercoating. If you do it right the first year, the following years are only touch ups. Unlike paint, you can coat this stuff thicker for rock/salt protection.

 

[03MopaRamman]

Never tried that! When I lived in NB, I would buy a jug of chainsaw oil, heat it up in the Wifes electric frying pan, then spray the underneath with a spray gun at about 40-60 PSI. When done take it down the dirt road and was done. Tried the rust check but by february it would be washed off. If it helps preserve your Ram then go for it! I don't miss the Winters and Salt of Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Quebec and Ontario as I lived in all those places. Now I never have to worry as any parts I take off including my 03 Ram come off with common hand tools (well maybe the occassional shot of Liquid Wrench) unlike having to heat and or cut.

Cuddos for posting up some good info options for the folks to help preserve their Rams in Salt, damp climates. Danny

 

[mudjunky]

rubberized undercoating is the worse thing you can ever put directly to under body of vehicle it traps rust and moisture and actualy accelerates rust and rot

the best way to put undercoating is first to use the technique i just explained then spraying undercoating as final coat

 

[toofart]

rubberized undercoating is the worse thing you can ever put directly to under body of vehicle it traps rust and moisture and actualy accelerates rust and rot

How many vehicles have you owned for more than 10 years?


I do what works for me. I find paint chips easier than the thicker stuff.

 

[mudjunky]

iv had my suburban for a long ass time and its still shinny black underneat

 

[Unfused]

Well, I use a throw away vehicle during the winter months. I might try this painting though just to make it nice and black underneath again.

Thanks for the tips!

Cheers!

 

[mudjunky]

from experience it really makes a difference specialy on resale if budy looks under you truck and its nice and black

 

[Unfused]

Good to know. Might make the long process of doing this worth while.

 

[wingnut]

I was looking at this very subject this week. Googled "oil spray/oiling vs rustproofing". Alot of Canadian info on that. Many opinions. Few solid answers. But alot of info.

 

[Lobster Poutine]

i find Krown works great! for 130 bucks, and i found it stopped the rust dead in ints tracks on my 96 ram.