I just bought a 2024 certified Wrangler, but it came from Michigan, and I live in Georgia. The car has 12k miles and was probably driven on salty roads during the winter. I haven’t had a chance to check the undercarriage yet, but I’m concerned about long-term rust. Any tips on how to prevent rusting? I plan to drive it daily for a long time and want to take good care of it.
Make sure to wash the bottom well to get rid of any salt. After that, paint or spray the bottom to cover the bare metal. That should help a lot.
Mai said:
Make sure to wash the bottom well to get rid of any salt. After that, paint or spray the bottom to cover the bare metal. That should help a lot.
Washing and painting won’t stop rust in the long run. I’ve found the best solution is to use something like lanolin or Cosmoline. These products work better than paint or rubberized undercoating, which can trap moisture and cause rust from the inside out. If you can’t do the spray yourself, there are shops like Krown or places that use Corrosion Free treatments. They charge a few hundred bucks for the job.
@Val
I’ve tried several products, but nothing worked until I started using this. It’s been great in the rust belt.
@Val
I grew up in Buffalo, NY, so I know how bad the winters can get. Lanolin is the best way to protect your car undercarriage and body panels.
@Val
If you’re in the salt belt, Krown spray works well, but make sure to wash off any mud or grit first. Otherwise, it’ll just trap salt underneath.
I’ve been using CRC Corrosion Inhibitor. 6 cans for $55. I also use WAXOYL for the frame cavities. It’s pricier but comes with a long straw for reaching inside.
Dru said:
I’ve been using CRC Corrosion Inhibitor. 6 cans for $55. I also use WAXOYL for the frame cavities. It’s pricier but comes with a long straw for reaching inside.
I had a system on mine that worked automatically. I just topped up the engine oil every 1000 miles, and that took care of the rust.
Dru said:
I’ve been using CRC Corrosion Inhibitor. 6 cans for $55. I also use WAXOYL for the frame cavities. It’s pricier but comes with a long straw for reaching inside.
You can also get a Fluid Film kit on Amazon. It comes with 6 cans and a tube for getting into the frame. Fluid Film is lanolin-based, and CRC is like a Cosmoline that dries like wax.
https://youtu.be/lyWHF4NoNVk?si=f95ONRSN-pPxingR
This video convinced me to try CRC.
This video convinced me to try CRC.
Thanks for sharing! The CRC 6026 and Fluid Film look like good options. CRC stays on well, so you can use it at the car wash without worrying. I’ve already had 7 years of rust on my frame in Colorado, so it’s good to see results on rusty metal. I don’t want to use rubbery coatings like Flex Seal though.
I use Fluid Film every fall. If you really care, do it every fall and spring.
Good advice here. I’m in AZ and keep driving my 98 Grand Cherokee.
Will said:
Good advice here. I’m in AZ and keep driving my 98 Grand Cherokee.
Same here. My 87 Comanche has been in Southern California its whole life, and there’s no rust.
It might have been a flood car at some point.
I’m from Michigan’s UP, and every fall I put my car on a hoist (or jackstands) and spray Fluid Film on everything metal. It slows rust but doesn’t stop it completely. Nothing can.
Clean it well and spray it with Fluid Film.
I live in the rust belt, too. I spray any rust spots on the bottom of my Jeep with Fluid Film every summer. It’s a 2021 and still looks great.
First, hit the rusty areas with a wire brush. After it dries, cover everything metal with Fluid Film.
You need to treat both the interior and exterior of the frame. I wire-brush all the rusty metal first. For the interior, I use Eastwood Internal Frame Spray. It comes with a 2-foot hose and covers about 95% of the inside on the first coat. I use Rust-Oleum Rust Reformer for the outside. I cover everything with three coats of Rust-Oleum Pro Undercoating. It’s been under $150 for the job, and my Jeep’s frame has no rust after 13 years in the rust belt.