How do you suggest rust proofing a TJ?

[Gregory]

I live in Carolina Beach NC and planning to by a house in the mountains as a second home. I am looking for a TJ to use as a second vehicle as well as a toy. Rust is very prevalent here. I here that Rhino lining is good to use on underneath to help with rust. Some folks around here have used it inside if used a lot topless. Some say that creates issues when the pollen count is high, apparently you can't hardly clean it out. So my question is how do ya'll suggest rust proofing a TJ. And if there is minimal or exceptable rust how do you treat it?
I plan to use the Jeep in both locales.

 

[Chris]

I think I would follow the same routine that many of us do. Coat the inside of your frame with something like Eastwood Internal Frame Coating, then coat the entire underside with a product such as Fluid Film, or Linseed oil. Do that 3-4 times a year and it should keep any new rust from occurring.

This is what most of us do... or at least something similar.

The best thing of course is to minimize driving during those times of the year.

 

[TJ2]

I live in Carolina Beach NC and planning to by a house in the mountains as a second home. I am looking for a TJ to use as a second vehicle as well as a toy. Rust is very prevalent here. I here that Rhino lining is good to use on underneath to help with rust. Some folks around here have used it inside if used a lot topless. Some say that creates issues when the pollen count is high, apparently you can't hardly clean it out. So my question is how do ya'll suggest rust proofing a TJ. And if there is minimal or exceptable rust how do you treat it?
I plan to use the Jeep in both locales.

Rhino Liner is not a good rust protector in my personal experience. It will look good and tough but very deceiving. It cracks from road pavement rocks and that keeps the moist into the tiny hairline gaps. They will bubble when rust creeps in, and so, they will keep the rust hidden.

 

[TJ2]

The best thing of course is to minimize driving during those times of the year.

I will try to be nice here because... well... because your name is Chris.... sigh, what a waste of 4x4 capability designed for rugged terrain.
Spending winter time out there where normal people can not go is second to none.
Having a vacation house up in the mountain with your TJ toy is priceless!!!
Who else can do that? Very few......

 

[Chris]

I will try to be nice here because... well... because your name is Chris.... sigh, what a waste of 4x4 capability designed for rugged terrain.
Spending winter time out there where normal people can not go is second to none.
Having a vacation house up in the mountain with your TJ toy is priceless!!!
Who else can do that? Very few......

I can do it here, because they don't salt the roads, even when it snows.

If I lived in an area where they did salt the roads, I simply wouldn't drive my Jeep in it. Doesn't mean I couldn't still enjoy my Jeep.

 

[Stox5225]

Raptor liner is pretty solid. Not sure on it’s anti-rust capabilities. I’m in Spring Lake, so it’s not bad here at all. Never thought about doing the anti-rust applications. I have a ‘97 Ram 2500 that’s very clean for its age as well.


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[JEEPCJTJ]

I just bought my TJ a few months ago and really want to drive it year round. Being in NE Ohio for 51 years I know all about rust. I also know it can't be completely avoided. Part of me wants to keep the jeep off the road whenever it's salty, which is vaguely better than brine which, if flammable, I'd probably try to burn before driving on/in/over it. Anyway, I don't think bed liner or spray on undercoating will do as much good as anyone selling it will tell us. It's better than nothing but the problem with any of them is that any damage will let the rust maker in. Then the rust maker has a protected pocket to hang out in while causing the rust. This also happens in areas that aren't 110% (or more) properly prepped for the application.

What I think I'm going to do is pull everything that can be removed from the Jeep (inner fenders, lights, fender flares and who knows what else), pay out about $125 to $150 to let a local guy Fluid Film it, then use a couple spray cans of Fluid Film to double it up in places like the seams under the top of the front fenders and everywhere I'm bolting anything back on. I plan on doing all of this before every winter.

3-4 times a year seems like too much. It may not be too much but I'm not too worried about the rain after he salt/brine gets washed away from the roads. Having said that, what effect does mud from all summer have on anything/everything, be it the fluid film, Eastwood Internal Frame Coating, or anything else that may help fight rust.

 

[RedrumRH]

I live in Carolina Beach NC and planning to by a house in the mountains as a second home. I am looking for a TJ to use as a second vehicle as well as a toy. Rust is very prevalent here. I here that Rhino lining is good to use on underneath to help with rust. Some folks around here have used it inside if used a lot topless. Some say that creates issues when the pollen count is high, apparently you can't hardly clean it out. So my question is how do ya'll suggest rust proofing a TJ. And if there is minimal or exceptable rust how do you treat it?
I plan to use the Jeep in both locales.

Not sure about rust, but I know Madison County up in WNC is a great spot in the mountains. I happen to be a Realtor if your looking up my way. Good luck with the rust prevention! I hope to see some good tips.

 

[Gregory]

I know several locals who take their jeeps on the sand here will set up their sprinkler in the driveway and straddle it with their jeep. Let it wash for a few to remove the salt

 

[zebra12]

I frequently put a little used motor oil in the frame. I also use fluid film underneath and in the torque boxes.

 

[chino1969]

I frequently put a little used motor oil in the frame. I also use fluid film underneath and in the torque boxes.

Not a bad and cheap remedy.

 

[abart]

Several good option already mentioned. Before you do anything, make sure the whole thing is completely clean and DRY underneath. If it isn't 100% dry then you are trapping the moisture under the undercoating and by the time you realize it is rusting it will more than likely be too late to stop. Might be a good idea to drill a couple holes on the bottom part of the frame to let water/dirt/mud drain out and not get trapped.

 

[fourpointzero]

OP, you’re good w Fluid Film. I use it seasonably and hit rust prone areas of my frame and tub throughout the year w the canned stuff. Keep your frame clean and lubricated. That goes a long way!


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[TJ2]

Just do not power wash after using fluid film.
I had good luck using Boiled Linseed Oil on my rigs, lasted way longer than the Fluid Film.

 

[chino1969]

Here's an idea that I'll bet many Jeep owners would be willing to pay for if it were offered as an option on new Jeeps. A hot dip galvanized frame; inner and outer. With a couple of modifications to the frame for proper drainage.

 

[indio]

My CJ7 had oil leaking from the rear engine seal and a few other places, that caused oil to get thrown under the midsection of the frame and body. And while the rest of the frame/body has serious rust, that midsection is like the day it came from the factory. (Other than looking crummy due to the oil/grime.)

That decades long test tells me, if you can every few months spray the underside of your Jeep body with an oily like substance, that coats the metal and in particular gets into the seems where water tends to collect and cause rust, it could go a long way towards reducing rust. In fact, I also own an old Land Rover, and those guys are known to regularly spray their frames with diesel fuel or another product called Waxoil.

Currently I am looking for an oily type product to regularly spray under my recently acquired TJ. (I don't care if it wears off, and don't mind once a month giving the underside a re-spray.) Also looking for a spray product to first neutralize and wash away any rust that exists under the TJ. Living in Chicagoland, I've chased rust enough that I would rather the underside of my TJ be an oily mess, than have rust eating it away.

If any Jeep owners have had good luck with either of those type of products, I would like to hear the names of the products.

 

[indio]

OP, you’re good w Fluid Film. I use it seasonably and hit rust prone areas of my frame and tub throughout the year w the canned stuff. Keep your frame clean and lubricated. That goes a long way!


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Regarding Fluid Film, how bad is the smell though? People are complaining quite a bit in reviews. I wouldn't mind, except that my family members will also be driving the TJ, and it often will get parked next to the screen side door of our house. I wonder if the linseed oil option would be better regarding the odor?

 

[xackley]

If there is any flaking inside the rails i would question using anything like eastwood. Oil penetrates every nook and cranny. Oil will not create pockets for moisture/salt storage. Dump some oil in and drive some dirt roads - done.

 

[KCNoDots]

Lots of great suggestions here, but if all else fails, move to AZ

 

[indio]

Lots of great suggestions here, but if all else fails, move to AZ

If only I could. This past winter in Chicagoland was brutal and hung on like grim death. My decade living in Colorado and wheeling in the Rockies was wonderful with average 300 or so days of sunshine, low rainfall and generally less use of salt on the roads in winter. Winter in Chicago is like giving your Jeep a daily saltwater bath!