Road Salt, and other undercarriage cleaning process

[HI Zeus]

Nice job cleaning it up.

I am not in the rust belt but I am in coastal Florida and have owned several aircraft that were exposed to salt air. I fogged the internal bare aluminum with either Corrosion-X to or ACF-50 to neutralize any corrosion. It's a thin film inhibitor that seeps into crevices.

It may remain oily and attract dust.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B016OMGR0E
https://www.amazon.com/CorrosionX-Aviation-oz-aerosol-80102/dp/B000FOLXFW/

THANKS!!
I think that is precisely the sort of thing I'm looking for (without knowing it). I like the "fogging" aspect as well as I think that will be much more likely get to places I can't see than any other approach.

Do the products come with what you need to "fog" or is this another excuse for me to buy a tool I don't already own?

As others pointed out the oily residue attracting dust/dirt may not be such a bad thing... Man I HATE working on cruddy vehicle parts though...

This truck will never encounter road salt again, so I'm not sure that an "insulating layer" is beneficial in my case. I think I'd rather see the surfaces and monitor their condition...

The truck ("Zeus") is going to Hawaii (that is the "HI" portion of my profile name) in a shipping container in a couple of months where it will be the lynchpin of my homebuilding construction site (that will include gobs of solar), and then it will be a significant contributor to our battery storage and "free" transportation. Our property is at 1300 feet of elevation, so not as much concern about salt-air as being closer to the ocean, but I still want to head off as much of the rust issue as possible before getting there.

I also appreciate that your experience with these products is via airplanes as this means it is at least equally suitable for aluminum and various alloys, which is probably MORE relevant to a Lightning than protecting steel.

Thanks again!

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[CD4TNF]

Thank you for sharing your experience cleaning up and protecting the truck's undercarriage.


I'm going to look into scheduling some time to wash down for mine. Mine was driven around in Michigan, so definitely feels like it's at risk. Been a year, but better late than never.

 

[Lightning Rod]

I've been using my Tool Daily Dual-Function Undercarriage Cleaner with Swivel Wheel, Surface Cleaner for Pressure Washer, Underbody Car Wash Water Broom, 16 Inch, 4000 PSI https://a.co/d/51NIG37

For 2 years now, I use it with my 3400psi gas powered pressure washer. In the winter months, I use it a few times a month and I thoroughly wash under the truck for about 10 minutes and I've had zero issues. In the non-winter months, I use it again every 4 to 6 weeks or so. Driving through Northeast Ohio winters on a daily basis, my truck looks brand new when you look at the undercarriage.

No bending over or getting on my knees, I just roll it under the truck as if I were vacuuming my living room floor with a Hoover upright, ha ha.

I swear by this product.


I started a thread about it a couple years ago.

https://www.f150lightningforum.com/...iage-pressure-washer-on-your-lightning.17088/

 

[broncoaz]

I notice there is still a dusty "film" on the non-painted parts (mostly aluminum I guess). Any recommendations from you folks in the "rust belt" for neutralizing the salt that lingers? I've seen products advertised, but don't know which ones, if any, are worth the trouble.

I know from restoring BMW motorcycles that salt isn't exactly friendly to aluminum either.

I flush my ocean based outboard with Salt Away at the end of the season. I have also sprayed it on aluminum and steel trailers.

https://www.amazon.com/Salt-Away-Pr...3de3383a4b798a603b0db50&qid=1747691489&sr=8-6

ACF-50 and Fluid Film are good products, I use both as needed, but I despise working on trucks that have been sprayed with a gummy mess.

My Lightning is a lease and I have no intentions of buying it, so I haven’t done anything to the undercarriage. I do try to spray off the undercarriage and suspension when I wash it, but that isn’t more than monthly in winter. After one winter I’m seeing surface rust in the same places as everyone else.

 

[Scorpio3d]

Nice job cleaning it up.

I am not in the rust belt but I am in coastal Florida and have owned several aircraft that were exposed to salt air. I fogged the internal bare aluminum with either Corrosion-X to or ACF-50 to neutralize any corrosion. It's a thin film inhibitor that seeps into crevices.

It may remain oily and attract dust.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B016OMGR0E
https://www.amazon.com/CorrosionX-Aviation-oz-aerosol-80102/dp/B000FOLXFW/

I own a car wash and maintain one my dad purchased and I use corrosion X as well but a different product:
https://a.co/d/aarygls
This stuff is great for switches, electronics, and different things to keep it from getting super wet and rusty! I use it on my camera system connections, which is cat 6 POE and it helps keep them working much longer before maintenance being outdoors and in a wet area. So I would not hesitate using any of their products.

 

[flyct]

Another very highly recommended product is Boeshield T-9. It is a thin film but dries as a thin waxy film.

You can buy it in gallon jugs or spray cans.

look at the reviews.

https://www.amazon.com/BOESHIELD-Corrosion-Protection-Waterproof-Lubrication/dp/B0002Q9F26/

https://www.amazon.com/BOESHIELD-Corrosion-Protection-Waterproof-Lubrication/dp/B001447PEK/

 

[HI Zeus]

Thanks! That looks like another great product with a slightly different approach.

I like that it actually eliminates rust (not just prevents more) and is specifically indicated for electrical components (I think my Lightning has some of those!!)

 

[HI Zeus]

Another very highly recommended product is Boeshield T-9. It is a thin film but dries as a thin waxy film.

You can buy it in gallon jugs or spray cans.

look at the reviews.

https://www.amazon.com/BOESHIELD-Corrosion-Protection-Waterproof-Lubrication/dp/B0002Q9F26/

https://www.amazon.com/BOESHIELD-Corrosion-Protection-Waterproof-Lubrication/dp/B001447PEK/

Thanks for that one as well.

So now I have a new problem... but one I should have anticipated.

Choosing a product!

Its a good, or better, problem to have!! I'm confident that any of the recommended products will be a much better option than doing nothing. Thanks to everyone for sharing this information (including those who I'm sure will share more in the future) I really appreciate it, and am sure that in the future many others will as well.

Time for more research.

 

[21st Century Truck]

Thanks for that one as well.

So now I have a new problem... but one I should have anticipated.

Choosing a product!

Its a good, or better, problem to have!! I'm confident that any of the recommended products will be a much better option than doing nothing. Thanks to everyone for sharing this information (including those who I'm sure will share more in the future) I really appreciate it, and am sure that in the future many others will as well.

Time for more research.

Amsoil Heavy Duty Metal Protectant is very well reviewed (best results) on the main F150 14 Generation blog. Someone in Florida did a long term test, as described on that blog.

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