Originally Posted By: Mikek13
Wow, thanks for all the suggestions people..
I think I will use Fluid Film and their AR Gel as I keep reading good reviews.
My only reservation is I have a little rust starting under the driver door, and a tiny spot on the passenger front fender that I want to repair. I use marine epoxy instead of automotive polyester resin's but I figure I better fix these rust spots first, before getting them oily with fluid film.
Yes go ahead and repair the rust first. Whichever method you use, paint or epoxy, let it dry at least 24 hrs before you apply Fluid Film or whichever oil based rust preventer you want to use.
If you are going to brush on the AR gel, do that first before you start spraying anything. Next do all the enclosed spaces and cavities of the vehicle, then start spraying the exposed undercarriage.
Some other notes about fluid film-
1. Get your undercarriage as clean and dry as possible before you start. You should wire brush flaky rust and pressure wash as much dirt grime off as you can. Then take the vehicle on a dry highway ride and let everything dry for 24 hours.
2. You will need to mix fluid film thoroughly as it gets thinner and easier to apply when it is agitated.
3. I recommend wearing a paper mask and junk clothes or a vinyl painting suit when you apply it. Safety Glasses and gloves are just going to get overspray on them every 2 seconds so don't bother. N95 respirators are just going to clog with the oil so don't bother with that either.
4. Get the fluid film all over everything except the exhaust and brakes once you start apply. The overspray that you do get on the exhaust or brakes, don't worry about it; It will just burn off. If your brakes sound or feel funny at the first ride after application, that means you got overspray on them but do not worry, it will burn off on the first few highway off ramp exits. If you take your first ride in stop and go city driving and during the daytime, other drivers will probably run up to you and tell you your car is smoking, this is very normal, don't worry about it and it will subside soon.
5. Your car will smell like fluid film for almost a month. I like the smell of it so it doesn't bother me. If it bothers you, keep the windows cracked and the A/C blasting.
6. Your undercarriage will catch and hold a light layer of dirt. The dirt actually helps the fluid film stay in place and protect the metal. This is normal and nothing to worry about. Large clumps of dirt and mud will rinse off easier than before you applied fluid film.
7. During winter, give your undercarriage a light rinse with a garden hose every month or so. This will remove the large build up of salt but won't remove the fluid film.
8. Once spring comes around and the snow is totally gone, thoroughly pressure wash your undercarriage and get everything as clean as you can. Re-apply another light coat of fluid film and this will protect you until next winter when you will want to apply another heavier coat before it starts snowing.
