Is a rusted undercarriage acceptable/expected on a 10+ year SUV?

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Is a rusted undercarriage acceptable/expected on a 10+ year SUV?

Posted: 4/22/2016 3:15:16 PM EDT

Mostly talking about the frame, not painted body panels.
And surface rust, not rusting through.

Would you consider it to be part of normal depreciation?

Posted: 4/22/2016 3:17:06 PM EDT

[#1]

Up here in Ohio, that's to be expected after the first winter.

Posted: 4/22/2016 3:19:12 PM EDT

[#2]

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Quoted:
Up here in Ohio, that's to be expected after the first winter.

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Spot on.

Posted: 4/22/2016 3:19:28 PM EDT

[#3]

Depends on how bad the rust is and what part of the country it came from. In my area of salt in the winter some 10 year old cars that are not washed often show some severe signs on rust , while others seem unfazed.

My 97 civic , which was kept outside most of its life, only started to show rust 17 years later and I didnt exactly take care of it.

Posted: 4/22/2016 3:19:56 PM EDT

[#4]

My 2013 4Runner has a shit ton of rust on the undercarriage after 3 CO winters--even when I wash it every week with undercarriage rinse.

Posted: 4/22/2016 3:22:38 PM EDT

[#5]

Yes, I would.

I bought a 2003 Silverado in 2007 that came out of Cleveland. I don't think the previous owner ever took it through a car wash. I'm still fighting with corrosion today. The slurry shit they put on our roads sure doesn't help matters.

Posted: 4/22/2016 3:31:25 PM EDT

[#6]

so, it shouldn't impact the used value in an area if all are exposed to the same elements

Posted: 4/22/2016 3:32:40 PM EDT

[#7]

Not in Az. My '78 Jeep J10 is rust free.
Not that a Jeep in an SUV.

Posted: 4/22/2016 3:33:00 PM EDT

[#8]

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Quoted:
Up here in Ohio, that's to be expected after the first winter.

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This. There are 10 year old vehicles around here with holes in them.

Posted: 4/22/2016 3:34:43 PM EDT

[#9]

Quote History

Quoted:
My 2013 4Runner has a shit ton of rust on the undercarriage after 3 CO winters--even when I wash it every week with undercarriage rinse.

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Fluid Film, brah. Seriously, that shit is awesome. I applied mine in October and the water still beads on most of my undercarriage.

Posted: 4/22/2016 3:36:18 PM EDT

[#10]

Not where I live, unless you are very close to the beach. The roads don't have to be salted in the winter.

Posted: 4/22/2016 3:37:52 PM EDT

[#11]

Quote History

Quoted:

Fluid Film, brah. Seriously, that shit is awesome. I applied mine in October and the water still beads on most of my undercarriage.

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Quoted:

Quoted:
My 2013 4Runner has a shit ton of rust on the undercarriage after 3 CO winters--even when I wash it every week with undercarriage rinse.

Fluid Film, brah. Seriously, that shit is awesome. I applied mine in October and the water still beads on most of my undercarriage.

Does it have any issues attracting dust? I'd like to apply some to one of my vehicles, but I have to drive 3 miles of gravel to get to pavement which makes for dusty vehicles. I'm a bit worried I'll end up with a big mess if I spray Fluid Film on the frame and body seams.

Posted: 4/22/2016 3:41:52 PM EDT

[#12]

I had a 91 Explorer that I recently gave to my MIL. It only ever was plated in AK and WA. Up here in the PNW, salting roads is basically unheard of - UNTIL we had a huge ice storm several years back, and the county salted all the roads - probably the bright idea of some east coast immigrant.

That truck went from being 100% rust-free on the frame and undercarriage, to covered in surface rust in one year. I even had tried to rinse off the shit from the road when it warmed up. No go. It now has frozen bolts/fasteners everywhere, rusted exhaust, etc.

I also have a 96 that is completely rust free. The original owner is the only person I've ever known to spring for the undercoating, so once you break that shit off, the parts underneath it look brand new.

Posted: 4/22/2016 3:43:56 PM EDT

[#13]

Only in areas where it snows and they salt the roads.. A car in Florida can go 10+ years without a spec of rust.

Posted: 4/22/2016 3:46:57 PM EDT

[#14]

No rust here... ...no snow or ice either.

Posted: 4/22/2016 3:48:33 PM EDT

[#15]

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Quoted:

Does it have any issues attracting dust? I'd like to apply some to one of my vehicles, but I have to drive 3 miles of gravel to get to pavement which makes for dusty vehicles. I'm a bit worried I'll end up with a big mess if I spray Fluid Film on the frame and body seams.

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Quoted:

Quoted:
My 2013 4Runner has a shit ton of rust on the undercarriage after 3 CO winters--even when I wash it every week with undercarriage rinse.

Fluid Film, brah. Seriously, that shit is awesome. I applied mine in October and the water still beads on most of my undercarriage.

Does it have any issues attracting dust? I'd like to apply some to one of my vehicles, but I have to drive 3 miles of gravel to get to pavement which makes for dusty vehicles. I'm a bit worried I'll end up with a big mess if I spray Fluid Film on the frame and body seams.

Honestly I can't give you a rock solid answer as I don't live in a dusty area but I didn't notice anything sticking my undercarriage.

When it first goes on it stays wet for a while, maybe 2 weeks but I applied it as the weather was cooling. Ideally you want to apply it while it's still hot out to let it creep into everything. This stuff really creeps too. I'd imagine the hotter weather would "dry" it faster.

I'm guessing if you applied it and then went down a dusty dirt road you'd have a dust layer.

Edit...do a test. Buy an aresol can and spray a small spot on the undercarriage and check out how it performs. When you do a whole car you want the stuff in the paint can and a harbor freight electric paint sprayer.

Posted: 4/22/2016 3:50:05 PM EDT

[#16]

My 15 y/o Ram has a little. If your in Va Like me the closer to the coast the higher your concern for salt air should be

Posted: 4/22/2016 3:51:43 PM EDT

[#17]

S. Texas never salted the road around here but I do live in a coastal city and I have rust spots on the frame of my 2004 Tahoe and 2004 Silverado. The 2014 Caddy mostly Al none that I can see.

Posted: 4/22/2016 3:53:07 PM EDT

[#18]

In this area, you are lucky if you don't have to start making frame repairs after 10 years, let alone surface rust on the frame.

Posted: 4/22/2016 4:01:06 PM EDT

[#19]

They use some shit called brine in MD/NOVA which apparently is even worse for rusting cars.

Posted: 4/22/2016 4:03:54 PM EDT

[#20]

My 93 jeep Cherokee has not one speck of rust. No surface rust on frame, nuts/ bolts nothing. Paint is sun faded though. Fuck rusty vehicles. Fuck the rustbelt.

Posted: 4/22/2016 4:08:23 PM EDT

[#21]

Quote History

Quoted:
Up here in Ohio, that's to be expected after the first winter.

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This. Sadly.

I love Ohio to death, but I have NEVER got used to the fucking road salt they insist on throwing down, instead of requiring that motorists install winter tires.

"Let's slowly destroy the second most expensive things we own, just so we can pretend it's not really Janurary".

Posted: 4/22/2016 4:09:27 PM EDT

[#22]

If it is a GM the they may take care of it.

They have had rusting frame problems.

Posted: 4/22/2016 4:09:47 PM EDT

[#23]

That sounds about right Op.

Posted: 4/22/2016 4:10:24 PM EDT

[#24]

Normal depreciation. I bought a 10 year old 1/2 ton that got a new rear bumper because the old one was mostly rusted apart, maybe 1/3rd of the bumper was still there rest was just gone.

If they salt/brine the roads for winter either you deal with rust, buy new every 4 years, or fly to Arizona/new mexico to buy used.

Posted: 4/22/2016 4:10:38 PM EDT

[#25]

Quote History

Quoted:

This. Sadly.

I love Ohio to death, but I have NEVER got used to the fucking road salt they insist on throwing down, instead of requiring that motorists install winter tires.

"Let's slowly destroy the second most expensive things we own, just so we can pretend it's not really Janurary".

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Quoted:

Quoted:
Up here in Ohio, that's to be expected after the first winter.

This. Sadly.

I love Ohio to death, but I have NEVER got used to the fucking road salt they insist on throwing down, instead of requiring that motorists install winter tires.

"Let's slowly destroy the second most expensive things we own, just so we can pretend it's not really Janurary".

Ice is also bad, tho

Can't decide what sucks more.

CO DOT is obsessed with destroying our cars and trucks with Mag Chloride and gravel.

Posted: 4/22/2016 4:15:29 PM EDT

[#26]

Quote History

Quoted:
My 2013 4Runner has a shit ton of rust on the undercarriage after 3 CO winters--even when I wash it every week with undercarriage rinse.

View Quote

My '99 4Runner is pretty rusty too. I quit washing it weekly quite a while ago though

Posted: 4/22/2016 10:36:19 PM EDT

[#27]

Quote History

Quoted:

Honestly I can't give you a rock solid answer as I don't live in a dusty area but I didn't notice anything sticking my undercarriage.

When it first goes on it stays wet for a while, maybe 2 weeks but I applied it as the weather was cooling. Ideally you want to apply it while it's still hot out to let it creep into everything. This stuff really creeps too. I'd imagine the hotter weather would "dry" it faster.

I'm guessing if you applied it and then went down a dusty dirt road you'd have a dust layer.

Edit...do a test. Buy an aresol can and spray a small spot on the undercarriage and check out how it performs. When you do a whole car you want the stuff in the paint can and a harbor freight electric paint sprayer.

View Quote View All Quotes

View All Quotes

Quote History

Quoted:

Quoted:
My 2013 4Runner has a shit ton of rust on the undercarriage after 3 CO winters--even when I wash it every week with undercarriage rinse.

Fluid Film, brah. Seriously, that shit is awesome. I applied mine in October and the water still beads on most of my undercarriage.

Does it have any issues attracting dust? I'd like to apply some to one of my vehicles, but I have to drive 3 miles of gravel to get to pavement which makes for dusty vehicles. I'm a bit worried I'll end up with a big mess if I spray Fluid Film on the frame and body seams.

Honestly I can't give you a rock solid answer as I don't live in a dusty area but I didn't notice anything sticking my undercarriage.

When it first goes on it stays wet for a while, maybe 2 weeks but I applied it as the weather was cooling. Ideally you want to apply it while it's still hot out to let it creep into everything. This stuff really creeps too. I'd imagine the hotter weather would "dry" it faster.

I'm guessing if you applied it and then went down a dusty dirt road you'd have a dust layer.

Edit...do a test. Buy an aresol can and spray a small spot on the undercarriage and check out how it performs. When you do a whole car you want the stuff in the paint can and a harbor freight electric paint sprayer.

I'll just have to get a can like you said and see what happens. It's not a big deal now since I don't need to do as much winter driving, but my 2012 F250 still has some minor surface rust on frame components and other areas under the vehicle. I'd like to get it stopped before it becomes an issue.