Frame Wax/Undercoating

steelcity · May 6, 2015

Dealership told me it's the liquid brine solution that they spray on the roads in the winter months. They said that's causing the rust. Although my 12 year old 130,000 mile Jeep drives on those same roads every day and the frame still looks new. They didn't have an answer as to why the coating on the frames is flaking off.

Edited May 6, 2015 by steelcity

14SLTZ71 · May 7, 2015

Dealership told me it's the liquid brine solution that they spray on the roads in the winter months. They said that's causing the rust. Although my 12 year old 130,000 mile Jeep drives on those same roads every day and the frame still looks new. They didn't have an answer as to why the coating on the frames is flaking off.

That's the response GM is pushing out to all its dealerships. They would never tell you the truth.

Example: "We regret to inform you that our truck frames were not properly prepared before we applied the undercoat. We knew that some of them would eventually have major rust issues but we decided to save a buck and ship the trucks anyways. We are sorry for any inconvienence that you may have encountered due to the undercoat falling off your brand new truck. Have a wonderful day and remember GM trucks are professional grade!!

Shimmy Bang Bang · May 7, 2015

What would you guys say is the best way to maintain a new frame from the start? Is it actually bad to pressure wash or hand wash the frame, as it could remove the wax coating, thus losing our protection?

I wanna wash it and keep it clean but I don't wanna strip off the wax...

Silverado-Hareek · May 7, 2015

What would you guys say is the best way to maintain a new frame from the start? Is it actually bad to pressure wash or hand wash the frame, as it could remove the wax coating, thus losing our protection?

I wanna wash it and keep it clean but I don't wanna strip off the wax...

I personally would just hose everything down with a standard garden hose. That's always worked well for me in the past. Then get a can of the rubberized coating (see link below) to touch up bare spots as you go to keep the frame protected. If you have the issue where sheets of this wax coating are just falling off left and right, then you should push to get the proper TSB repair done.

https://www.daubertchemical.com/store/product-list/corrosion-prevention/nox-rust-x-121b

jamin87ss · May 7, 2015

I have mine oiled yearly, never a issue, who knows about the new one, this thread has me worried, I stuck a pressure washer in a tube cross member and lifted the paint off, oops my bad, won't do that again otherwise mine still looks new

Graphic · May 8, 2015

My 2014 Silverado z71 ltz was a lemon. The frame rust was the final straw. I fixed mine by trading it in on a new ram. After 25 years of GM trucks, I have to say that it was like losing an old friend. But I really am enjoying this new ram.

Silverado-Hareek · May 8, 2015

My 2014 Silverado z71 ltz was a lemon. The frame rust was the final straw. I fixed mine by trading it in on a new ram. After 25 years of GM trucks, I have to say that it was like losing an old friend. But I really am enjoying this new ram.

What kind of Ram did you get?

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Graphic · May 8, 2015

What kind of Ram did you get?

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

2015 Ram Sport Crew Cab 1500 4x4. Love it.

My Silverado started showing problems after day one, little things, then bigger, then frame rust and that was enough for me. Took a loss, but I walso went from a double cab to a full crew cab. I have to say I am really enjoying it and I never could say that about the Silverado.

And my frame didn't look anywhere as bad as the OP's. The way the shocks are rusted too almost looks like he drove through something caustic, more so than the brine or salt. I say this just from the perspective that the shocks are made by someone other than GM and they are rusted too. They are laso painted, not waxed. Just strange.

Edited May 8, 2015 by Graphic

Silverado-Hareek · May 8, 2015

2015 Ram Sport Crew Cab 1500 4x4. Love it.

My Silverado started showing problems after day one, little things, then bigger, then frame rust and that was enough for me. Took a loss, but I walso went from a double cab to a full crew cab. I have to say I am really enjoying it and I never could say that about the Silverado.

And my frame didn't look anywhere as bad as the OP's. The way the shocks are rusted too almost looks like he drove through something caustic, more so than the brine or salt. I say this just from the perspective that the shocks are made by someone other than GM and they are rusted too. They are laso painted, not waxed. Just strange.

No the shocks will look like garbage in general. These aren't genuine "from the Rancho factory" shocks they're Rancho shocks made specifically for GM trucks which means they were the lowest bidder to GM and this is the crappiest product Rancho makes. Mine look rusted as well and we've hardly had any snow this winter or chemicals on the road. GM is just using lower quality parts and lower quality metals that rust easier and more quickly than past model years to cut costs.

Graphic · May 8, 2015

No the shocks will look like garbage in general. These aren't genuine "from the Rancho factory" shocks they're Rancho shocks made specifically for GM trucks which means they were the lowest bidder to GM and this is the crappiest product Rancho makes. Mine look rusted as well and we've hardly had any snow this winter or chemicals on the road. GM is just using lower quality parts and lower quality metals that rust easier and more quickly than past model years to cut costs.

Very possible on Ranchos part. My shocks were okay on the Silverado, just a little rust on them after the winter. Looked a lot better than my frame. And I don't know where "laso" came from... Must have been a bad autocorrect or something...

HondaHawkGT · May 8, 2015

What would you guys say is the best way to maintain a new frame from the start? Is it actually bad to pressure wash or hand wash the frame, as it could remove the wax coating, thus losing our protection?

I wanna wash it and keep it clean but I don't wanna strip off the wax...

Spray it with oil or fluid film once a year or twice a year.

I spray mine twice per year with Fluid Film. My frame has zero rust, it's just dirty from using it for truck things. I washed my truck once all winter. Some guys swear up and down that FF will make the wax fall off. As you see the wax is still there and actually it's holding up really well.

Do not put rubberized spray coating on. Research what rubberized coating does over on Bob Is The Oil Guy. It's the fastest way to make your vehicle rust.

Shimmy Bang Bang · May 8, 2015

Forgive my ignorance, but when reapplying the wax coating or when applying the FF oil, how well do you clean the area first?

HondaHawkGT · May 9, 2015

Not sure on wax but for FF or oil, just spray it oil. It'll soak through thinner dust. You can even spray it on any light surface rust and it'll prevent the rust from spreading or advancing deeper into the steel.

Edited May 9, 2015 by HondaHawkGT

Silverado-Hareek · May 9, 2015

This is the GM approved stuff: https://www.daubertchemical.com/store/product-list/corrosion-prevention/nox-rust-x-121b

However I can't find any instructions with regards to how to prepare the surface of existing rust. The can just says "surface must be dry and free of debris" which I take to mean dirt or other large loose particles that can be brushed away. I plan to just spray it right over any surface rust. Out of sight out of mind right? Haha

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Edited May 9, 2015 by Silverado-Hareek