Fluid Film messy?

Status
Not open for further replies.
Joined
Apr 17, 2012
Messages
3,726
Location
West Michigan
Just curious to hear from the fluid films users here. How bad of a mess does it make of the undercarriage? I'm a DIY (as I'm sure most are around these parts) and while I want to boost my rust protection beyond factory and frequent wash levels I don't want to come out covered in black crud after a simple brake job or oil change.
 
It has been mentioned a lot over the years, and seems to be one of the preferred products around here for the DIY'er.
 
Here is how my Mazda looks like under the trunk area. It was sprayed with Krown for 5 years, but I skipped the application for the last two years. I will do it this year though. Fluid Film would be very similar.

As you can see the cross member looks pretty dry, but that's because it's a high wash area and it's covered in dirt, as we had quite a lot of construction in the past (that's the reason I didn't rustproof as it would just get covered in mud), but there is still some oil left there.
The trunk area is still wet and over the years it just becomes almost like black tar from all the dirt sticking to it. If you touch that you will get dirty.
However, for most routine stuff I hardly ever get dirty from touching the treated areas. The engine and transmission are not treated, so changing these fluids is no big deal. Same thing with brakes because only suspension arms are sprayed, but even then, because those are high wash areas, they don't stay as wet and dirty as the main body of the car.

For all other stuff where you have to touch those very dirty areas, they can be easily wiped with some rugs and then re-treated.
Edit:
And let's face it, working on cars, especially few years old with some miles under their belts, is a dirty business any way. I have my working cloths for this very reason and lots of hand washing soap. But one thing is for sure, I'd rather get a bit more dirty than spend several hours working on something that normally would've taken 30 minutes just because a rusty bolt snapped off on me.

IMAG0202_zps81f56ab3.jpg
 
Last edited:
iME the warier/heavier the stuff, the messier it is. Not necessarily at application time, but afterwards, when it gets on you working under the car.
 
Hello all.

I have used Fluid Film several years now (great stuff).
I believe if you change your fluids regulary and keep the rust under control,
thats half the battle of auto ownership.

Fluid Film can only be applied so thick.
Then it will drip or run.

I applied it as thick as I could.
So now, I just do yearly touch up in Fall.

I found best place to buy Fluid Film is on E-Bay.
12 aersol cans (11.75 oz each) for $84.00
I also buy the gallon can locally for $42.00

Is Fluid Film messy ?
On my vehicle "YES"
Before washing, I also have to wipe along the bottom of body because
Fluid Film will travel up from underneath.

But, around western N.Y. alot of vehicles will rust away.
Mine won't.
I know its working when I see dirt along the bottom of doors & tailgate.

Years ago, I had an old pickup truck that just rusted away on me.
I had about 80 sheet metal patches on the body, and 20 on the frame.

Now I am older and wiser.
Fluid Film (or Car Well) is the way to go.
 
Last edited:
Originally Posted By: larryinnewyork
Hello all.

I have used Fluid Film several years now (great stuff).
I believe if you change your fluids regulary and keep the rust under control,
thats half the battle of auto ownership.

Fluid Film can only be applied so thick.
Then it will drip or run.

I applied it as thick as I could.
So now, I just do yearly touch up in Fall.

I found best place to buy Fluid Film is on E-Bay.
12 aersol cans (11.75 oz each) for $84.00
I also buy the gallon can locally for $42.00

Is Fluid Film messy ?
On my vehicle "YES"
Before washing, I also have to wipe along the bottom of body because
Fluid Film will travel up from underneath.

But, around western N.Y. alot of vehicles will rust away.
Mine won't.
I know its working when I see dirt along the bottom of doors & tailgate.

Years ago, I had an old pickup truck that just rusted away on me.
I had about 80 sheet metal patches on the body, and 20 on the frame.

Now I am older and wiser.
Fluid Film (or Car Well) is the way to go.


What I do with mine, and it seems to have worked the last few years for the Cherokee and Focus is:
1) Drive on a tarp
2) Spray waste oil EVERYWHERE underneath - do this 2 or 3 times
3) Let the dripping slow down to a reasonable amount
4) Drive down a dirt road
5) Repeat steps 1-4

Works EXCELLENT!

I also go out of my way to grease any exposed metal / steel lines (brake, fuel, PS) that I can find.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top Bottom