I got underneath my new to me 2019 Ram 1500 CC, 4x4 SLT today to treat it with fluid film. One of the first things I noticed was these areas on the inside of the cab corners, that by design, catch road spray from the front wheels. There's some dimples just downstream on the bed side that also have the paint eroded off and starting to rust.
All this on a vehicle with a build date of 07/2019 and MSRP of ~$45600 and was in rental service for 10 months and 14800 miles. I've had the truck 10 days. Totally disappointing and disturbing.
I got all the door, rocker and tailgate cavities as well as much of the underside done with my last ~2 quarts of FF, but still need to drop the spare tire and touch up some other areas before fall.
I cleaned up the rusty areas with some rubbing alcohol and coated them with some unopened Rust Bullet I had on hand for a previous project that never happened. These areas are going to need some major protection. I'm wondering if some type of 3M tape, Flex Seal tape, etc would do the trick?
You need something a lot better than almost worthless (in those body areas) fluid film and protect a lot more areas if you want any sort of decent life span out of that truck. They rot like a house on fire in the salt belt.
You will need some supplies to do this right, getting rid of the fluid film is a must before applying another product, mineral spirits should do it.
Get these products, I am using Amazon for most because its convenient but any auto body supply shop will have most of these in stock except for the Noxudol.
Small blast gun
Media
Rust Mort
2K Primer
Stone guard
Noxudol 700
Noxudol 900
Depending on if you have a compressor or not there are a couple of ways to this, either will last a very long time.
Tape off the surrounding are and media blast the area or use a wire wheel to get it super clean, wipe down with IPA and treat it with the Rust Mort.
Once its clean mask it off and spray with the 2K epoxy primer and let it sit at least overnight to minimize shrinkage.
Scuff the primer with 400, wipe with IPA mask off the area and spray the stone guard, it will be solid overnight then shoot color and clear onto the stone guard (it is paintable) and its done.
For better protection thoroughly clean and spray the whole wheel well are with stone guard, you can paint it or leave it black (also comes in white) its up to you.
Flood every inside panel including the bed inside where the wheel wells are with the Noxudol 700. Do the inner fenders, pillars, doors, exposed cooler, brake and fuel lines in any hidden area.
Coat the bottom of the truck including the frame and wheel wells you just put stone guard on with the 900, it is non hardening and will not chip off and allow water underneath it.
You can flood the inside of the frame inside with the 700 after using the 900 on the outside, let it drip out and a few weeks later make sure the door drains are clear. Noxudol has aerosols with a long want available or sue you own gun and wands with qts.
Toyota specs the Noxudol for their frame repairs after warranty replacement.