Will flushing rocker panels cause more rust?

[avacado11]

I have a ‘14 Silverado 1500 crew cab out of CT. Underbody is clean but cab corners showing a few small bubble under the factory rocker coating. I pulled the body plugs and there’s a 3-4” patch of rust where the sun roof drains are - still very solid but couple of pin holes which are causing bubbles.

The inside of rockers have a little bit of silt that has accumulated over 11 years. Is it worthwhile to flush the rockers before I treat? I’m not sure if I can get it 100% dry and with the existing rust it just seems like it’d do more harm than good to add extra moisture

I have wool wax, fluid film black, and a couple quarts of ATF. I’ve already sprayed some fluid film in the cab corners but waiting for nicer weather before I spray the whole rocker cavity.

Not sure what’s the best way to go at this. My last truck the rockers were completely gone so it wasn’t really an issue anymore.

 

[slacktide_bitog]

Wash the underbody then spray your favorite oil on it.

While the existing rust won't go away, you can still prevent it from getting worse

 

[JoelB]

The lanolin products will force out any remaining water. I'd hose it out, spray with a bunch of compressed air then take it out on the highway for a blast with the body plugs out. Then go ahead and spray.

 

[avacado11]

Wash the underbody then spray your favorite oil on it.

While the existing rust won't go away, you can still prevent it from getting worse

Already started coating the wheel wells last weekend but my sprayer wasn’t working so I brushed on woolwax after removing the liners. Those are set now just need to pop the tail lights out and spray the bed sides + rest of underbody/inside of frame.

These rockers are scaring me a little. I saw 1-2 bubbles per side while inspecting before purchase but the rest appeared after spraying the area with fluid film(FF crept into the metal and loosened up the factory coating). Rust is a little worse than I thought, although for the price I paid and age of the truck i can’t really complain.

 

[HoosierJeeper]

The lanolin products will force out any remaining water. I'd hose it out, spray with a bunch of compressed air then take it out on the highway for a blast with the body plugs out. Then go ahead and spray.

I agree. My wrangler frame has some factory holes in it, and you can watch the FF displace the water when you spray the FF in. After you have a layer of FF in, the water just floats on top it seems like.

 

[Fordiesel69]

Absollutly flush them out hard core, and even shoot compressed air in there. As mentioned above lanolin is your friend. Krown is excellent too for internal protection. Krown rinses off in wheel wells.

 

[demarpaint]

After flushing, blowing it out and driving it, I'd give it a week of driving it. If there's wet weather during that week, park it in a garage or under a carport, then rustproof it a week or so later. Even some of these rustproofing compounds displace water, a dry surface is always best.

 

[wings&wheels]

Maybe try a rust converter first, or use this; Eastwood Internal Frame Coating. Nothing in a can will repair the rust, but it can be slowed down.

I've used the Eastwood, after a thorough cleaning, on the frames of my old Rovers and Tr6 followed by Waxoyl.

 

[avacado11]

Maybe try a rust converter first, or use this; Eastwood Internal Frame Coating. Nothing in a can will repair the rust, but it can be slowed down.

I've used the Eastwood, after a thorough cleaning, on the frames of my old Rovers and Tr6 followed by Waxoyl.

I already put FF over the rust so I’m not sure if rust converter will do much as I can’t fully wash out or even wipe the FF anymore. I can only access the rockers cavity via 1” holes. As long as the rust is slowed down I’m fine if it needs rocker repair/covers 2-3 years from now. Just want to get it taken care of so it doesn’t spread up to the kick plates like my last truck.

 

[avacado11]

After flushing, blowing it out and driving it, I'd give it a week of driving it. If there's wet weather during that week, park it in a garage or under a carport, then rustproof it a week or so later. Even some of these rustproofing compounds displace water, a dry surface is always best.

A week is probably gonna be impossible til June/July. I’m gonna try blowing out the rockers with air as much as I can then letting it sit for a day. Hopefully it’ll dry up enough for FF.

Already flushed the frame out on sunday and it’s dried up. Just waiting for warmer temps so WW will spray better.

 

[avacado11]

Absollutly flush them out hard core, and even shoot compressed air in there. As mentioned above lanolin is your friend. Krown is excellent too for internal protection. Krown rinses off in wheel wells.

Actually might buy a can of crown just for the rockers. Didn’t think of it. Even FF is abit thick for my liking. I want it to creep and get everywhere in the rockers. Hence I thought about using ATF for it.

 

[demarpaint]

A week is probably gonna be impossible til June/July. I’m gonna try blowing out the rockers with air as much as I can then letting it sit for a day. Hopefully it’ll dry up enough for FF.

Already flushed the frame out on sunday and it’s dried up. Just waiting for warmer temps so WW will spray better.

If you're waiting for warmer weather do you have a place to park it to keep it protected from rain and snow while you wait?

 

[MasterSolenoid]

If using an aerosol can of Fluid Film, I'd highly recommend using an atomizing nozzle/hose.
There about 18 inch long and will turn the oil into a mist.
Great for getting into doors, hoods, trunks.

Here's two good videos



I'm also like using cosmoline for high wash areas.

 

[avacado11]

If you're waiting for warmer weather do you have a place to park it to keep it protected from rain and snow while you wait?

Unfortunately the truck is too big to fit into my garage so it’ll have to sit outside. I’ve been trying to not drive it but some days I need to haul something so it goes out. Try to plan around the rain so it doesn’t get driven in it til fully coated

 

[avacado11]

If using an aerosol can of Fluid Film, I'd highly recommend using an atomizing nozzle/hose.
There about 18 inch long and will turn the oil into a mist.
Great for getting into doors, hoods, trunks.

Here's two good videos



I'm also like using cosmoline for high wash areas.

I’ve got a gallon of FF black and a 360 nozzle for my air sprayer. Should be plenty for rockers but 18” extension may not get very deep with the frame. The sprayer is originally for wool wax hopefully fluid film will spray further

 

[buck91]

Flush copiously with fresh water and let dry. Then fog with FF/WW/etc.

 

[JoeDirt41]

Yes, pull any plugs out, put the hose in them and rinse all that silt and dirt out as best you can. If not it will just hold water and cause more rust.