Originally Posted by LeakySeals
Originally Posted by RDMgr
I drive an '03 Silverado 1500HD extended cab PU. It was used to launch and trailer a boat for many years. I also live in NJ where we have a brine-happy governor. He was unprepared for one of our first storms this winter so he has the roads brined even its supposed to be 40F and rainy, just in case!
The truck doesn't have a significant rust problem but it has developed large areas of surface rust, no rust through. I'm sure this is from the brining. What has been the experience with rust converters followed by painting? Do the converters really work and what are the best ones. I plan to do this in the spring if it's worth it.
GM trucks are factory coated with black wax. Petroleum products degrade and erode the wax. So any kind of petroleum-based oil spray is not recommended on GM waxed frames. Of course if all the wax is gone it doesn't really matter anymore. This is what I use on my truck it still has most of its factory wax. Rust converter on the left. Original frame wax aerosol on the right. And in the middle a wax that goes on everything else. Like brake lines. Bolts. Any kind of metal. Another thing I like about this method is things stay clean underneath. You don't get covered in greasy sand and soot every time you work underneath.
I totally agree that I've read you're not supposed to fluid film or oil that GM frame wax, however I have fluid filmed mine twice since new, no issues, and there's a train of thought that the fluid film or other products will keep the wax supple. And that's what I've found so far. And I personally know two other people that also do this.
The GM wax is horrible, as it doesn't cover everything underneath the truck (mine was starting to rust just sitting right on the dealer's lot). Couldn't believe it. And the wax comes off very very easily...a rock tossed up from a tire can remove it, a lift pad, anything that comes in contact with it. And after a few years it just dries right out and flies right off in large clumps.
I think the best alternative is to kind of build barriers as you go...a treatment, drive over a dusty road, another treatment, drive over a dusty road. Or apply your Nox Rust or RP-342 as frequently as you can...both are great products. I might try going this route next year, but I have five gallons of fluid Film sitting in my garage (I went a little over board, lol).