Will I need to re-apply Surface Shield?

[Rcroane]

I recently did a full Safe T Cap frame repair on my '06 TJ (front, center and rear). Other than the two drainage holes, there are no other access points for water/salt/debris. I've coated the inside of the frame with Eastwood frame coating and Surface Shield (belt and suspenders). Surface Shield has a 2 year life, but since in my case it won't be exposed to anything, I'm wondering if I still need to re-apply it periodically. Does it deteriorate on its own and lose effectiveness? It's no big deal to re-apply it. Thanks.

 

[Camdenst]

I can offer no help, but I did see a video that Surface Shield held up great compared to Fluid Film. I should do fluid film once a year, but I get lazy.

 

[eastbloc]

There is no magic sauce in surface shield, it is simply oil that sticks. Take w140 gear oil and wipe it on your frame, same protection.
Over time, due to heat, wind, dust, or nature in general, that oil coat will be gone from the surface.
There is also no specific time frame that makes it magically poof away like David Copperfield. Put it on the front bumper, it will be gone withing few weeks. Put it in the frame and go water crossing, it will be gone withing few weeks, or days in Florida.

In half a year, have a look inside, walls are still shiny? Awesome, check back in another 6 month.

 

[AjRagno]

There is no magic sauce in surface shield, it is simply oil that sticks. Take w140 gear oil and wipe it on your frame, same protection.
Over time, due to heat, wind, dust, or nature in general, that oil coat will be gone from the surface.
There is also no specific time frame that makes it magically poof away like David Copperfield. Put it on the front bumper, it will be gone withing few weeks. Put it in the frame and go water crossing, it will be gone withing few weeks, or days in Florida.

In half a year, have a look inside, walls are still shiny? Awesome, check back in another 6 month.

Surface Shield sticks because it has 10-15% petroleum jelly. It will not be washed away with water alone, not even high pressure water unless that's the intent and even then expect to have to scrub with soap or a degreaser.

For @Rcroane: The 2 year expectancy is based upon surfaces that are exposed to the elements every day. You can probably consider the inside of the frame to be protected for several years. Considering how relatively inexpensive Surface Shield is when compared to a new frame or frame repair though, re-coating once a year is a small investment.

 

[eastbloc]

Surface Shield sticks because it has 10-15% petroleum jelly. It will not be washed away with water alone, not even high pressure water unless that's the intent and even then expect to have to scrub with soap or a degreaser.

You have tested, different conditions, variables ?

 

[AndyG]

I think transmission fluid with PB blaster and a little Dawn For the glycerin to make it stick really needs to be a consideration- I’ve seen online videos and personally used the formula

Our county and cities started using a little bit of brine- This was never done in the south years back- And we are not having bad winters.

 

[Rcroane]

Surface Shield sticks because it has 10-15% petroleum jelly. It will not be washed away with water alone, not even high pressure water unless that's the intent and even then expect to have to scrub with soap or a degreaser.

For @Rcroane: The 2 year expectancy is based upon surfaces that are exposed to the elements every day. You can probably consider the inside of the frame to be protected for several years. Considering how relatively inexpensive Surface Shield is when compared to a new frame or frame repair though, re-coating once a year is a small investment.

That's what I figured since it is in a closed environment. But, I also agree that's it's no big deal to add a can to each side periodically. I will also check it with a scope every so often as @eastbloc suggested. I put some big bucks into the frame repair....I don't plan on wasting that money. Thanks for the replies.

 

[Rcroane]

I think transmission fluid with PB blaster and a little Dawn For the glycerin to make it stick really needs to be a consideration- I’ve seen online videos and personally used the formula

Our county and cities started using a little bit of brine- This was never done in the south years back- And we are not having bad winters.

Haven't heard about that homemade formula....sounds interesting. I assume you apply it with a compressor spray gun? Did you use it inside your frame as well as the rest of the underside?

 

[AjRagno]

You have tested, different conditions, variables ?

Yes. I started using Surface Shield in the fall of 2021, prior to that, since 2012, I had used Fluid Film. While Fluid Film is relatively easy to wash off with a pressure washer in the spring, Surface Shield really sticks. Even if you put the nozzle of the pressure washer right up to the surface, the petroleum jelly still remains. In everyday driving conditions, Surface Shield will last a long time.

 

[AndyG]

Haven't heard about that homemade formula....sounds interesting. I assume you apply it with a compressor spray gun? Did you use it inside your frame as well as the rest of the underside?

I did- I used a spray bottle- its one quart fluid, 4 oz pb to carry it and an ounce of dawn-

Guys that had transmission leaks up north discovered they had no rust where the fluid was - so they started doing it.

It basically dissolves surface rust- At least to the point where it’s easy to clean up with a wire brush and paint.

 

[eastbloc]

Yes. I started using Surface Shield in the fall of 2021, prior to that, since 2012, I had used Fluid Film. While Fluid Film is relatively easy to wash off with a pressure washer in the spring, Surface Shield really sticks. Even if you put the nozzle of the pressure washer right up to the surface, the petroleum jelly still remains. In everyday driving conditions, Surface Shield will last a long time.

Ill have to try to believe it, really curious.
My experience is with fluid film, and that stuff is gone after a day of offroading in clay mud puddles. Sand also seems to speed up soaking of oils out of the coat.